This easy recipe for Cranberry Apple Orange Sauce is simple and delicious! Sweet and tart and easy to make it is 100 times better than the canned stuff!
Another classic side dish for the holidays is Steamed Brussels Sprouts. You'll love the flavor and this is a simple recipe, it takes just minutes to make!
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Why you'll love this recipe
The yummy fruit flavors balance with the sweet citrus flavor and tart cranberries. This is a favorite Thanksgiving side dish and for Christmas dinner too!
It's an easy cranberry sauce recipe and one that we serve at every holiday meal!
Ingredients you’ll need
For the exact measurements, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Fresh cranberries, you can also use frozen cranberries.
- A sweet apple and a fresh orange.
- Dried apricots
- brown sugar and white sugar
- salt
Step-by-step instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For complete directions, scroll down to the recipe card. Click on the photo to enlarge it up for clear instruction!
#1 Start by putting the oj into a saucepan.
#2 Add the apples, cranberries, apricots, both sugars and salt.
#3 Place over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil until the cranberries burst.
#4 Finish by stirring in orange zest and allow to cool.
Essential tools for this recipe
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This is one of the saucepans I use. The ceramic surface is fantastic, it's easy to use and really a product I highly recommend.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s)
Oh my goodness, where to we start? It's tasty with turkey and ham. It's a wonderful condiment and so versatile.
As the cranberries cook along with the apple, orange and sugar the berries POP! (You'll actually hear them pop!)
As the cranberries cook they release natural pectin which thickens the sauce.
You can use fresh or frozen cranberries.
Top Tip
When you zest the orange, zest the orange peel and not the white pith. It's easiest to zest an orange when it's whole, you do not remove the orange peel.
If you use frozen cranberries they do not need to be defrosted.
For the best texture remove the sauce from the heat once the berries start to pop. That way the sauce will have the best texture. Don't wait until all the berries pop.
You can make this up to 5 days in advance.
More holiday side recipes
Is the holiday meal complete without your favorites, like sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts or everyone's favorite green bean casserole? Click on the photos below for my favorite family recipes! I'd love to share them with you!
Here I've assembled over 55 holiday side dishes, that aren't cooked in the oven! You're sure to fine what you're looking for.
Storage
Refrigerate - Allow leftover cranberry sauce to cool to room temperature and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Freezer - This is a great make-ahead dish. It can be made up to a week in advance. It can also be made ahead and frozen up to three months.
Serve with
Serve with Thanksgiving dinner, of course!
- Serve with this delicious Holiday Turkey Recipe - delicious! This is fantastic with Glazed Ham as well.
- Have leftover cranberry sauce. Make a turkey sandwich topped with a slather of homemade cranberry sauce.
- This would be AMAZING over a wheel of baked brie. Topped with some brown sugar and pecans? Delish!!
Have leftovers? A big spoonful on your morning yogurt is mighty tasty! And if you have leftover cranberries, this recipe for Apple Pie with Cranberries is a great holiday treat!
Enjoy the cranberry sauce! Let me know what you think in the comments below.
Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 3 cups whole cranberries
- 1 red apple grated with a box grater - no need to remove the peel
- 1 orange zested and juiced
- â…“ cup apricots chopped
- ½ cup brown sugar packed
- ¼ cup sugar
- â…” cup water
- pinch salt
Instructions
- In a medium sauce pan combine cranberries, grated or diced apple, orange - zest & juice, the apricots, brown & white sugar, water and a pinch of salt.
- Turn heat to medium and stir to combine. Cook until the cranberries burst - the mixture will thicken dramatically - and stir often as all of the sugars can scorch if they get hot!
- Continue to cook and stir - 15-18 minutes and remove from heat. Allow to cool and refrigerate preferably overnight. Serve chilled.
Jean M says
I love love love cranberry sauce with oranges in it. Now you have me thinking apples too?. Gotta try it!
Lois says
This has always been a favorite of our family. I love the sweat and sour taste it has. Won’t be a holiday dinner without it.
Bowl Me Over says
Yes it is - the sauce is the perfect accompaniment when serving a rich holiday dinner!