Citrus Spice Cranberry Sauce
6 ingredients and 15 minutes are all you need to make this bright and flavorful citrus spice cranberry sauce! Using cinnamon and cloves, brown sugar, and a lot of orange citrus make this cranberry sauce extra special without any additional effort.
Cranberry sauce is often just an afterthought at holiday meals, but it’s one of my favorite toppings. I love it partly because of the sweet and tart combination, but I also love it because it’s so ridiculously easy to make at home.
This citrus spice cranberry sauce is very similar to other simple cranberry-orange recipes you’ll find all over the web, except I’ve made a few changes that really help it stand out. It’s flavored not only with orange zest and orange juice, but also cinnamon, cloves, and brown sugar. It’s my favorite cranberry sauce recipe and I look forward to making it every fall!
Serve this cranberry sauce on Thanksgiving alongside roasted turkey, and then use the leftovers for everything from pancakes to cocktails!
Table of Contents
- How to make citrus spice cranberry sauce
- Can you make cranberry sauce in advance?
- Ways to use cranberry sauce
- Get the recipe
How to make citrus spice cranberry sauce
Only 6 ingredients required
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this easy citrus spice cranberry sauce. (Full recipe at the end of this article.)
- Cranberries— use fresh or frozen
- Brown sugar— so much more flavor than granulated sugar
- Orange juice— freshly squeezed is best but I’ve used bottled orange juice too
- Orange zest
- Cinnamon stick— just make sure to take it out before serving!
- Ground cloves
Done in 15 minutes
You won’t believe how easy this cranberry sauce is to make:
- Add all ingredients to a medium saucepan.
- Bring to a boil.
- Cook for about 15 minutes, stirring frequently, until cranberries have popped and sauce is thickened.
- Serve or store for later. This cranberry sauce can be served warm, chilled, or at room temperature (my preference).
Can you make cranberry sauce in advance?
Yes, I highly recommend making this cranberry sauce ahead of time! Store cranberry sauce in the fridge for a few weeks, or freeze it for a few months. It’s often the first thing I make for Thanksgiving because it keeps so well.
Ways to use cranberry sauce
- With roasted turkey or turkey breast
- On biscuits, pancakes, waffles or pound cake
- Mix into a cocktail
- Stir into yogurt
- Make a compound butter spread
Get the recipe
Citrus Spice Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 12 ounces cranberries , fresh or frozen
- 1 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
- â…” cup orange juice , preferably freshly squeezed
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1 cinnamon stick
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and set over medium high heat.
- Bring to a boil, then continue to cook until cranberries have popped and sauce is thickened, about 15 minutes. Stir often.
- Remove from heat and remove cinnamon stick.
- Serve warm, room temperature, or chilled. Store cranberry sauce in the fridge for up to a few weeks and in the freezer for up to a few months.
I did make two alterations, switching the cloves for allspice and adding about equal parts ginger. This was an awesome recipe and if I kept it as it was posted I think it would still be pretty delish! I will definitely make this again sometime!
Fantastic recipe!!!!