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
✔️ Yummy fruit flavors. It's so nicely balanced with the sweet citrus flavor and tart cranberries.
✔️ It's an easy cranberry sauce recipe!
✔️ It's a must-make. This is a favorite Thanksgiving side dish and for Christmas dinner too!
Ingredients
For the exact measurements, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- fresh cranberries
- a sweet apple and a fresh orange
- apricots
- brown sugar
- white sugar
- salt
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!
- In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, grated apple, fresh orange zest, orange juice, 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. Stir often as all of the sugars will 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
Equipment
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This is one of the saucepans. The ceramic surface is fantastic, it's easy to use and really a product I highly recommend.
FAQ's
It's filled with healthy nutrients, beyond being mighty tasty!
Oh my goodness, where to we start? It's tasty with turkey and ham. Great with pork as well. It's a wonderful condiment and so versatile.
Technically they don't u0022meltu0022, but as the cranberries cook along with the apple, orange and sugar the berries POP! (You'll actually hear them pop!) There's plenty of
As the cranberries cook they release natural pectin which thickens the sauce.
You can use either.
Tips
If you use frozen cranberries they do not need to be defrosted.
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.
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.
If it doesn't set up after it cools, put it back on the stovetop for another 5 minutes. Heat it over medium heat and then allow it to cool again.
You can make this up to a week in advance.
Storage
Allow leftover cranberry sauce to cool to room temperature and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
This can be made up to a week in advance. It can also be made ahead and frozen up to three months. This is a terrific make-ahead side dish!
Related recipes
If you're looking for more great holiday side dishes, here are some of my favorites!
- Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash is a classic holiday side.
- Candied Sweet Potatoes - easy to make these are a must have on every holiday table.
- Campbell's Green Bean Casserole Recipe - another must make!
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!!
Are you looking for more great thanksgiving recipes? There's a ton of great Thanksgiving Day Side Dishes here.
Cranberry sauce is delicious and good for you as well. Have leftovers? A big spoonful on your morning yogurt is mighty tasty!
What do you think - you ready to give it a go?
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
- ⅓ cup apricots chopped
- ½ cup brown sugar packed
- ¼ cup sugar
- ⅔ cup water
- pinch salt
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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
Nutrition
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Don't worry, we'll never share your email.Recipe backstory
When my folks were in town for Thanksgiving , Mom and I thought we’d give it a go and make some homemade sauce. We loved it so much, we made two batches!
Mom and I usually make a cranberry relish using a hand-crank'd old fashioned food processor but after trying this, we both decided we like the cooked version even more.
We used cranberries, an apple that we grated, some apricots and orange & sugar. Super simple, took just a few minutes to come together and I don't think I would ever buy sauce again! Sweet but tart and I know this will be great with your holiday meal and perfect on a turkey sandwiches the day after!
Lois
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
Yes it is - the sauce is the perfect accompaniment when serving a rich holiday dinner!