Description
This Blood Orange Cranberry Sauce is a quick and easy holiday condiment that bursts with tart, sweet, and citrusy flavor. With fresh cranberries and vibrant blood orange juice, it’s a colorful and bold twist on traditional cranberry sauce. Perfect for Thanksgiving or any time you want a bright, homemade touch to your meal. This easy recipe works well for both sweet and savory pairings, making it ideal for quick breakfasts, dinner ideas, and holiday food prep.
Ingredients
12 oz fresh cranberries
1/2 cup blood orange juice
1 tablespoon blood orange zest
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup water
1 cinnamon stick (optional)
Pinch salt
Instructions
1. Wash and zest the blood oranges using a fine grater, avoiding the bitter white pith. Juice enough to get about 1/2 cup.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, orange juice, zest, sugar, water, and a pinch of salt. Add cinnamon stick if using.
3. Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Listen for the cranberries to start popping.
4. Reduce heat and simmer for 10–15 minutes. Stir occasionally and mash cranberries slightly for desired texture.
5. Taste and adjust sweetness or acidity. Remove cinnamon stick if used.
6. Let cool at room temperature. The sauce will thicken as it cools. Serve warm, room temp, or chilled.
Notes
Make this sauce up to 5 days in advance to let the flavors deepen.
Frozen cranberries work just as well as fresh—no need to thaw.
The sauce thickens as it cools, so don’t overcook on the stove.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 1mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: cranberry sauce, blood orange, holiday sides, Thanksgiving, easy recipe