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Perfect Cranberry Orange Sauce with Fresh Ginger – Easy Homemade Recipe

cranberry orange sauce with fresh ginger - featured image

This bright and zesty cranberry orange sauce with fresh ginger is a game-changer. It’s quick, easy, and packed with flavor, making it the perfect holiday side dish that even skeptics will love.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (340 grams) fresh cranberries
  • 3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) fresh orange juice (from about 1 large navel orange)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated (about a 2-inch piece)
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) water
  • Pinch of salt (about 1/8 teaspoon)

Instructions

  1. Prepare your ingredients: Rinse the cranberries under cold water and pick out any soft or shriveled ones. Zest your orange before juicing it. Peel the ginger with the edge of a spoon and grate it finely on a microplane.
  2. Combine the sugar, orange juice, water, and salt: Add the sugar, freshly squeezed orange juice, water, and a pinch of salt to a medium saucepan. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely, about 2-3 minutes.
  3. Add the cranberries and ginger: Toss in the fresh cranberries and grated ginger. Stir well.
  4. Bring to a boil, then simmer: Turn the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
  5. Stir occasionally: Stir the sauce every 2-3 minutes to prevent sticking. The cranberries will burst and release their natural pectin, thickening the sauce.
  6. Test for doneness: After 10 minutes, the sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. If you prefer a smoother sauce, cook for another 2-3 minutes and mash some berries with your spoon.
  7. Stir in the orange zest: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the fresh orange zest.
  8. Cool and serve: Let the sauce cool in the saucepan for about 10 minutes. It will continue to thicken as it cools. Transfer to a serving bowl or refrigerate if making ahead.

Notes

For a spiced version, add a cinnamon stick and two star anise with the cranberries. For a bourbon version, stir in 2 tablespoons of bourbon after removing from heat. For a low-sugar version, replace sugar with 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup. The sauce can be made up to 10 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator. It also freezes well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry sauce, orange cranberry sauce, ginger cranberry sauce, homemade cranberry sauce, Thanksgiving side dish, easy cranberry sauce