Christmas dinner · adapted traditional recipe
Fresh Orange Cranberry Sauce
A 15-minute cranberry sauce with orange, a little cinnamon and not too much sugar. Make it up to a week before Christmas and cross one dish off the list.
An adaptation of a traditional recipe, written in our own words. Ovens vary, so go by the doneness signs as well as the times.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 12 min
- Total
- 17 min
- Makes
- About 2 cups, 8 servings
Ingredients
- 12 ozfresh or frozen cranberries
- ¾ cupgranulated sugar
- ¾ cuporange juice
- 2wide strip of orange zest
- ¼ tspground cinnamon
- ⅛ tspsalt, a pinch
Method
- 1
Put the sugar, orange juice, zest strips, cinnamon and salt in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- 2
Add the cranberries (no need to thaw frozen ones). Cook at a steady simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, until most of the berries have burst and the sauce coats a spoon.
- 3
Take it off the heat and remove the zest strips. The sauce thickens a lot as it cools, so it should look slightly loose now.
- 4
Cool to room temperature, then spoon into a bowl or jar, cover and refrigerate. Serve cold or let it sit out for 20 minutes first.
How to know it is done
Most berries have popped and the sauce falls from a spoon in a thick ribbon. Remember that it will set firmer in the fridge.
Make ahead
Make it 5 to 7 days ahead; the flavor improves after a day. It also freezes well for up to 3 months.
Storing and freezing
Keep covered in the fridge up to 1 week.
Tips
- If it tastes sharp after cooling, stir in a spoonful of honey or sugar while it is still slightly warm.
- Stir in a splash of port, a handful of chopped pecans or a spoonful of orange marmalade for a variation.
Allergens
- None of the major allergens, but check the sugar and juice labels if you avoid certain additives
Always check the labels of the products you buy.
Questions
How far ahead can you make cranberry sauce?
Up to 1 week in the fridge in a covered container, and it tastes better after a day. It also freezes for up to 3 months, so it is the first dish to cross off your list.
Why is my cranberry sauce bitter?
Cranberries are naturally tart, and overcooking brings out bitterness, so stop when most berries have popped. Orange zest is only the colored part: the white pith is bitter, so remove it from the strips.
Can I use frozen cranberries?
Yes. Use them straight from the freezer; add about 2 minutes to the cooking time.