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Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

by Traci · Published: 11/17/2021 · Updated: 11/21/2021 · This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Cranberry Sauce with Orange Juice

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5 from 14 votes
15 minutes

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 orange sauce in bowl with serving spoon next to Thanksgiving turkey

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.

Table of Contents hide
1) Ingredients
2) Cranberry sauce with orange juice step by step
3) Recipe tips
4) Pressure cooker cranberry orange sauce
5) Essential holiday recipes
6) Cranberry Sauce with Orange Juice

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.
Cranberries, orange juice, orange zest, and sugar in glass bowls for cranberry sauce

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).

Cranberries, orange juice, orange zest, and sugar in a pot for cranberry sauce

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.

wooden spoon stirs fresh cranberry sauce in a pot

Step 3: Allow to cool completely and refrigerate in an airtight container up to 7 days. Serve chilled.

cranberry orange sauce in bowl with serving spoon

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 orange sauce in bowl with serving spoon

Cranberry Sauce with Orange Juice

Cranberry orange sauce is a mouthwatering holiday cranberry sauce with subtle citrus flavor from orange juice and orange zest. Quick and easy!
5 from 14 votes
Print Pin
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 8 2 oz servings
Author: Traci The Kitchen Girl

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

    Tried this recipe? I'd love your review!Visit the comments below and tell me how it went.

    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.
    _______________
    Instant Pot Instructions - 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 above.

    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
    • stirring utensil
    • airtight storage container(s)

    NUTRITION

    Serving: 2oz | Calories: 99kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 68mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 58IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutrition data provided as courtesy estimates using unbranded ingredients from a nutrition database. Please consult preferred resource for precise data.

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    Comments

    1. Arlene says

      November 26, 2021 at 4:29 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • The Kitchen Girl says

        November 27, 2021 at 8:20 am

        Yayy! So glad everyone enjoyed it. I'm happy to have inspired it and truly appreciate the feedback. Thank you!

    2. JB says

      November 16, 2021 at 10:13 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    3. Lucy says

      November 16, 2021 at 2:00 am

      5 stars
      This cranberry sauce is perfect for the festive season. I love how quick and easy it is to make too.

      Reply
      • The Kitchen Girl says

        November 16, 2021 at 5:41 am

        Awesome! I feel the same way 🙂 Thanks so much!

    4. Farah Abumaizar says

      November 16, 2021 at 1:23 am

      5 stars
      Cranberry and orange, a match made in heaven. Can't wait to try this out for Thanksgiving! Thanks so much for this timely recipe

      Reply
      • The Kitchen Girl says

        November 16, 2021 at 5:41 am

        Yay! Thanks so much and enjoy!

    5. Mandy Applegate says

      November 16, 2021 at 12:13 am

      5 stars
      I'm going to try this with my Christmas dinner - I love cranberry sauce!

      Reply
      • The Kitchen Girl says

        November 16, 2021 at 5:41 am

        Yesss! We'll be doing the same. Enjoy!

    6. Tavo says

      November 15, 2021 at 11:18 pm

      5 stars
      I loved the orange juice addition! I am having the cranberry sauce on top of my morning coconut yoghurt!

      Reply
      • The Kitchen Girl says

        November 16, 2021 at 5:40 am

        Perfect! So glad you're enjoying it 🙂 Thanks!

    7. Kristen Wood says

      November 15, 2021 at 10:44 pm

      5 stars
      I've pinned this and can't wait to make for Thanksgiving! Thanks for the fabulous recipe. The orange juice sounds amazing. 🙂

      Reply
      • The Kitchen Girl says

        November 16, 2021 at 5:40 am

        Awesome! Yes, cranberry sauce with orange juice is our fav 🙂 Enjoy!

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