Cranberry orange sauce is a mouthwatering holiday cranberry sauce with subtle citrus flavor from orange juice and orange zest. Quick, easy, and made for Instant Pot or stove!
It's not a holiday without turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, and healthy green bean casserole. Make fresh cranberry sauce with orange juice your new favorite Thanksgiving condiment.

Cranberry sauce with orange juice is my favorite way to make homemade cranberry sauce for holiday dinner. The orange juice adds acidity which brightens and balances the tart and sweet flavors of fresh cranberry sauce. If using whole oranges, zest it and add the orange zest to the recipe. The zest adds a pop of color, a subtle hint of bitter flavor, and makes it perfectly balances. Cranberry orange sauce complements savory holiday holiday turkey and stuffing like no other.
Ingredients
Ingredient amounts are listed in printable recipe card below.
- fresh cranberries - Fresh or frozen cranberries work perfectly for this recipe.
- orange juice - Use store bought orange juice or the juice (and zest) from a whole orange. It's perfectly fine if you don't use orange zest in your cranberry sauce.
- sugar - I prefer cane sugar for cranberry sauce, but you can use brown sugar or raw sugar for this recipe.
Cranberry sauce with orange juice step by step
Printable instructions are listed in recipe card below.
Step 1: Place fresh cranberries, orange juice, orange zest (if available), and sugar in a 3 quart soup pot over medium high heat.
(Get the pressure cooker instructions in the recipe card below).
Step 2: Bring everything to a boil until the cranberries start to pop. Remove from heat, mash some of the cranberries, and let the sauce sit at room temperature about 30 minutes. It will naturally thicken as it cools.
Step 3: Allow to cool completely and refrigerate in an airtight container up to 7 days. Serve chilled.
Recipe tips
- If using frozen cranberries, there's no need to thaw them before making cranberry sauce with oranges. Use them in this recipe the same as fresh cranberries that aren't frozen.
- The main advantage to using freshly squeezed orange juice is that you can zest the orange before juicing it, and add it to the recipe. Otherwise, bottled orange juice will make your cranberry sauce just as delicious.
- You can make cranberry sauce without orange juice by simply substituting water for the orange juice. In this case, you would be making a classic cranberry sauce.
- You can freeze cranberry sauce up to three months in freezer-safe storage containers, or even longer if it's vacuum-sealed. To thaw, transfer it to the refrigerator 12-24 hours before serving.
Pressure cooker cranberry orange sauce
Place all ingredients in a 3 qt or 6 qt cooker. Lock the lid and pressure cook on HIGH for 2 minutes, followed by a 10 minute natural pressure release. Proceed with steps 3-4 in the recipe below.
Essential holiday recipes
- Baked Turkey Breast (or Air Fried Turkey Breast)
- 10 Minute Gravy
- Mashed Potatoes
- Cranberry and Apple Crisp
Cranberry Sauce with Orange Juice
INGREDIENTS
- 1 (12 ounce bag) Cranberries (fresh or frozen), same as 3 cups
- ¾ cup Sugar, or preferred sugar
- ½ cup Orange Juice, 1-2 whole oranges, juiced
- 1 teaspoon Orange Zest, if available
Instructions
- Place CRANBERRIES, SUGAR, ORANGE JUICE, and ORANGE ZEST (if available) in a 3 quart soup pot over medium high heat.
- Bring everything to a boil until the cranberries start to pop, stirring as needed.
- Remove from heat, mash some of the cranberries, and let the sauce sit at room temperature about 30 minutes. It will naturally thicken as it cools.
- To store, allow sauce to cool completely and refrigerate in an airtight container up to 7 days. Serve chilled.
Visit recipe footnotes for Instant Pot instructions
RECIPE VIDEO
Traci's Recipe Notes
- If using frozen cranberries, there's no need to thaw them before making cranberry sauce with oranges. Use them in this recipe the same as fresh cranberries that aren't frozen.
- The main advantage to using freshly squeezed orange juice is that you can zest the orange and add it to the recipe for more orange flavor. Otherwise, bottled orange juice will make your cranberry sauce just as delicious.
- You can make cranberry sauce without orange juice by simply substituting water for the orange juice. In this case, you would be making a classic cranberry sauce.
- You can freeze cranberry sauce up to three months in freezer-safe storage containers, or even longer if it's vacuum-sealed. To thaw, transfer it to the refrigerator 12-24 hours before serving.
Equipment
- chef's knife if using fresh oranges
- Microplane zester / grater if using fresh oranges
- citrus squeezer if using fresh oranges
- 3.5 quart saucepan for stove version
- 6 quart Instant Pot for pressure cooker version
NUTRITION
Nutrition data provided as courtesy estimates using unbranded ingredients from a nutrition database. Please consult preferred resource for precise data.
Arlene says
This is the BEST cranberry sauce I've ever had/made! This will be a must-have on every holiday from now on. Thank you!
The Kitchen Girl says
Yayy! So glad everyone enjoyed it. I'm happy to have inspired it and truly appreciate the feedback. Thank you!
JB says
I wasn't sure I was going to like cranberry orange sauce but after making this recipe, I'm sold! I think the orange zest is what really sets the flavor off perfectly. Another winner ... thanks KG!
Lucy says
This cranberry sauce is perfect for the festive season. I love how quick and easy it is to make too.
The Kitchen Girl says
Awesome! I feel the same way 🙂 Thanks so much!
Farah Abumaizar says
Cranberry and orange, a match made in heaven. Can't wait to try this out for Thanksgiving! Thanks so much for this timely recipe
The Kitchen Girl says
Yay! Thanks so much and enjoy!
Mandy Applegate says
I'm going to try this with my Christmas dinner - I love cranberry sauce!
The Kitchen Girl says
Yesss! We'll be doing the same. Enjoy!
Tavo says
I loved the orange juice addition! I am having the cranberry sauce on top of my morning coconut yoghurt!
The Kitchen Girl says
Perfect! So glad you're enjoying it 🙂 Thanks!
Kristen Wood says
I've pinned this and can't wait to make for Thanksgiving! Thanks for the fabulous recipe. The orange juice sounds amazing. 🙂
The Kitchen Girl says
Awesome! Yes, cranberry sauce with orange juice is our fav 🙂 Enjoy!