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Easy Thanksgiving Cranberry Sauce with Fresh Orange Juice and Zest

Easy Thanksgiving Cranberry Sauce — Fresh Orange

A quick and vibrant cranberry sauce that combines fresh cranberries with orange zest and juice, perfect for your holiday table.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Condiment, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Holiday
Calories: 110
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 12 oz bag Fresh cranberries Rinse and remove any shriveled or mushy cranberries.
  • 1 large Fresh orange Zest and juice the orange.
  • 3/4 cup Granulated sugar Adjust to taste; you can start with 1/2 cup if desired.
  • 1/2 cup Water Reduce a splash if the orange is very juicy.
  • 1 pinch Salt Essential for flavor balance.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Rinse the cranberries and toss any that look shriveled or mushy.
  2. Zest your orange first, then juice it.
Cooking
  1. In a saucepan, add cranberries, sugar, water, orange juice, orange zest, and a pinch of salt.
  2. Bring it to a gentle boil over medium heat, then lower to a steady simmer.
  3. Simmer for about 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most berries have burst and the sauce looks glossy.
  4. Turn off the heat and let it cool. The sauce will thicken as it cools.

Notes

Cranberry sauce can be made 3 to 5 days in advance. Store in a sealed container. If it thickens too much after cooling, stir it well before serving. Add extra sugar if it's too tart, or a splash of water/orange juice if too thick.