Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce Recipe is bursting with vibrant flavors and made with just a handful of ingredients. This recipe is the perfect blend of sweet and tart, making it a must-have for your festive feast.
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Our Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce recipe is a delightful twist on the classic, showcasing the bright, zesty essence of fresh cranberries and the subtle sweetness of orange zest. It’s a versatile addition to your holiday menu, serving as the ideal accompaniment to roasted turkey, ham, or even as a condiment for sandwiches. You will never use canned cranberry sauce again after trying this fabulous whole cranberry sauce recipe.
If you’re looking for more holiday recipes, try these Slow Roasted Turkey Breast, Grandma’s Sage and Onion Stuffing, Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams and Parmesan Green Beans.
What We Love About This Whole berry Cranberry Sauce
Explore the reasons that make this wholeberry cranberry sauce a kitchen favorite. From its simplicity and vibrant flavors to its versatile uses and universal appeal, uncover the magic that sets this sauce apart. Learn how to make it ahead to save time.
- Quick and Easy: In a rush to prepare your holiday feast? This cranberry sauce comes together effortlessly, giving you more time to enjoy the festivities. Less than 20 minutes to make this easy side.
- Easy Ingredients: With just four simple ingredients, you’ll have a stunning cranberry sauce that’s as easy to make as it is delicious with a hint of spice. If they love ocean spray cranberry sauce they will flip for this recipe.
- Family Friendly: Whether you’re serving a crowd or an intimate gathering, make this cranberry sauce is universally loved, appealing to both kids and adults for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Ingredient Notes for Homemade Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce
- Fresh Cranberries: Fresh cranberries are the star of this recipe, delivering that signature tartness and vibrant color. Fresh or frozen cranberries will work in this homemade fresh cranberry sauce recipe. Cranberries are high in pectin which allows it to thicken.
- Granulated Sugar: Sugar is added to balance the natural tartness of cranberries and provide sweetness. Use 1 cup of sugar for a sweet taste.
- One Orange: Orange zest adds a citrusy brightness to the sauce, complementing the cranberries beautifully and makes it taste better.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
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Love this Recipe with Variations and Substitutions for Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce
From adding unique fruits to exploring alternative sweeteners, these variations allow you to personalize your ocean spray cranberry sauce recipe.
- Use Fresh or Frozen Fruit: Experiment with different fruits like tangerines, mandarin oranges, blueberries, cherries, or even pears to create a unique flavor profile.
- Sugar Free Version: If you’re looking to reduce sugar intake, use a sugar substitute to adapt the sauce to your dietary needs. Here’s How to Make Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce.
How to Make the Best Homemade Cranberry Sauce
These are the basic steps for making Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions. This traditional cranberry sauce is amazing with a hint of orange is so refreshing.
Step 1: Set Aside Some Cranberries
First, begin by setting aside 1/2 cup of the fresh cranberries.
Step 2: Bring to a Boil and then Simmer for 10 Minutes until Cranberries have Burst
Then in a medium saucepan, combine the remaining cranberries, orange zest, sugar and water. Next, simmer over low heat for 10 minutes until sugar is dissolved. Then turn the heat to medium and continue cooking for an additional 12 minutes or until the berries start to burst.
Step 3: Add Cranberries, More Sugar If Needed Return to a boil and Allow the Sauce to Cool and Refrigerate
Finally, reduce heat and simmer and stir in the 1/2 cup of cranberries. Taste the sauce and add more sugar if needed to suit your preference. Remove from heat and stir. Allow the cranberry sauce to cool completely at room temperature before letting the sauce set in the fridge for at least an hour or until you’re ready to serve. The sauce will thicken as it cools to room temperature.
Recipe FAQs to Make Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Expert Tips for Making This Orange Cranberry Sauce Taste Better
Unlock the secrets to mastering your orange cranberry sauce with these tips. Whether you’re aiming to customize your sauce or seeking solutions for common culinary challenges, our insights will help you create a cranberry sauce that impresses your guests.
- Nuts: For some crunch and extra flavor, add a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts to your cranberry sauce.
- Liquor: A splash of your favorite orange liqueur can elevate the sauce’s taste and aroma.
- How to Fix Runny Sauce: If your sauce turns out too runny, simply return it to the heat and cook it a bit longer to allow it to thicken. Remember sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Swap for this Simple recipe: Exchange the water for orange juice to make this cranberry sauce taste better.
What to Serve with Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce Recipe
- Pumpkin Bars Recipe
- Sausage Apple Cranberry Stuffing
- Turkey Noodle Casserole
- Turkey Cooking Times (Convection Oven and other Methods)
Homemade Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Fresh cranberries, divided
- 1 cup Sugar
- 1 tablespoon Orange zest
- 2 tablespoons Water
Instructions
- Reserve 1/2 cup of the cranberries and set aside.
- Add remaining ingredients to a sauce pan.
- Cook on low for 10 minutes.
- Turn up the heat to medium and cook for 12 minutes longer, or until the berries start to burst.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in remaining berries.
- Taste and add more sugar if needed.
- Remove from heat and cool completely.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
Expert Tips
- Add nuts: A little crunch can really enhance the flavor of you sauce. So try pecans or walnuts.
- Variation tip: You can try tangerines, mandarin oranges, blueberries or cherries, even pears.
- Alternate ingredient: Sugar substitute can be used to reduce the calories.
- Liquor: A splash of you favorite orange liquor will really work well in this too.
This is my new go-to cranberry sauce recipe!
Only 2 tablespoons of water, correct? Other recipes use 1 cup of water, so I wanted to make sure. Thanks.
2 tablespoons is correct.
SO much better than the canned stuff — and really easy, too!
This cranberry sauce tastes so much better than the canned version and it’s so easy to make too! Love the hint of orange.
This looks so good for Thanksgiving. I like that it can be made ahead to save time later!
Love this recipe! The thought of Cranberry sauce makes me so excited for Thanksgiving!