Making your own Cranberry Orange Sauce is so easy! This Cranberry Orange Sauce has a little extra kick from Grand Marnier! Feel free to eliminate that if you have little ones sharing your Thanksgiving or Christmas table! It is every bit as good!
Taking boring old Cranberry Sauce to a whole new level, is my Cranberry Orange Sauce! Some of the water is substituted with Orange Juice and Grand Marnier. Orange zest adds some more depth to the sauce.
Have you ever made cranberry sauce? It is really one of the easiest side dishes to make for the fall and winter holidays! It can be made many days (at least 5) before the holiday, so that it becomes one less thing you have to do the day of the holiday!
The only danger is, forgetting it in the refrigerator, when serving your dinner, because it ends up in the back of the refrigerator, and there is so much food in there! (Been there. Done that. 🙂 ) Make sure you have a final list of dishes that need to make it to the table! This How to Host a Stress Free Holiday Meal post that I did a few years ago, will help you with your planning!
Adding the orange juice and orange zest brings so much flavor to the sauce, as well! The tang from the cranberries and the sweetness of the orange pair beautifully together!
Making Homemade Cranberry Orange Sauce
- You will need 12 oz. cranberries, sugar, 2 oranges, grand marnier.
- Wash and sort cranberries, remove any berries that are soft or hard and dried up.
- Add cranberries and sugar to a medium saucepan.
- Add orange zest.
- Juice 2 oranges.
- Add to measuring cup along with Grand Marnier.
- Fill remainder to 1 cup with water.
- Add to cranberries and bring to boil. Lower heat and simmer about 10 minutes, until cranberries begin to burst Lastly, stir in Grand Marnier. Allow to cool to room temperature. Then refrigerate, up to 5 days.
Health benefits of cranberries
Cranberries are very high in anti-oxidants and vitamin C! This article from Well and Good suggests they lower cholesterol, reduce urinary tract infections, boost the immune system, improve digestion and prevent gum disease! Not bad, right?
Canned cranberry sauce will have the same health benefits from the cranberries, but many canned sauces also contain high fructose corn syrup! If you make you own, you can use fresh, organic ingredients, if you choose to!
But cranberry sauce is not the only way to enjoy these powerhouses of good stuff! They are wonderful in this Pumpkin, Orange Cranberry Bread, or these Cranberry Orange Meatballs! This Cherry Cranberry Crisp is perfect for the upcoming holidays, as well!
So that is all that is involved in making your own Cranberry Orange Sauce! There is just no good reason, not to make your own! 5 minutes of preparation and 10 minutes to cook. When the sauce is done cooking and some of the cranberries have burst, put the sauce directly into the bowl that you would like to serve it in! Once it gels, it’s best not to move it, until the day you serve it. (And it saves one more step and multiple dishes to wash!)
I hope you like the recipe today for this grownup version of Cranberry Orange Sauce! Let me know if you like the recipe in the comments below! Don’t forget to sign up to my newsletter, so that you don’t miss any new recipes! Only 1 email per week, on Fridays! Sign up form is below!
Enjoy! And have fun cooking!
Xoxo,
Cranberry Orange Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 12 oz bag fresh, whole cranberries
- 1 cup Sugar
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tbsp Grand Marnier liqueur
- 2 tbsp orange zest
Instructions
- Sort and wash cranberries
- Place orange juice, water and sugar in medium saucepan. Bring to boil.
- Add Cranberries. Return to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, until cranberries begin to burst.
- Remove from heat. Add Grand Marnier and orange zest. Cool enough to pour into your serving bowl, on counter.
- Refrigerate once it is room temperature.
See all of my favorite tools and gift ideas on my New Amazon Store!Check out Binky’s Amazon Store!Video
Nutrition
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you click the link and purchase something, at no additional cost to you. See FTC Disclosure, here.
Jeannette
My mouth, literally, dropped when I saw this photo! The colors just burst at you, but then I saw how you made it–and I am sure the flavors burst just as loudly! I live in another country right now, and cranberry sauce is something I miss the most about holiday feasts. However, I just sent this recipe to my best friend who has promised to make me whatever I want when I visit on Christmas! Thank you!
Binky
Haha! I’m so glad you liked it! Very kind of you to say! I hope you enjoy it! Thank you Jeannette!
Alisa Infanti
You are so right about forgetting the cranberry sauce. Has happened so many times. Love the idea of making a list of what needs to be made and put out so nothing gets left behind!
Binky
It really helps me a lot! It is so annoying, forgetting something in the refrigerator! Thanks for the comment, Alisa!
Amanda Wren-Grimwood
I’m definitely trying this Beth as I love cranberry sauce. Great idea to add the Grand Marnier – perfect!
Binky
Thanks so much,Amanda! I’m glad you like it! Let me what you think when you make it!
Kathryn Pfeffer
Grand Marnier makes it so much better!!
Binky
I agree with you there, Bunny! It added a great little kick!
Caroline
I always make cranberry orange, although less sweet as we like the tart flavor. Like the idea of a dash of grand marnier in there – will have to give that a try!
Binky
I prefer ours tart, as well! Thank you Caroline!
Lesli Schwartz
There is nothing like homemade cranberry sauce! You nailed it with this one!
Binky
Thanks, Lesli! I agree with you there! It was the first thing gone from the Thanksgiving feast!
Ellen
Such classic flavors! My family would love this cranberry sauce.
Binky
Thank you, Ellen! It is super tasty!!!
Caitlyn Erhardt
This is perfect for the holidays! Love the orange and cranberry combo!
Binky
Such a classic flavor combination, orange and cranberry! Thanks Caitlyn!
Vicky
I love making my own cranberry sauce but never thought to add Grand Marnier liqueur to it! Brilliant idea – will definitely be trying that next time!
Binky
Thank you so much Vicky! I’m glad you liked it! Happy Thanksgiving!
Jamielyn
So fresh and full of flavor. Yum!
Binky
Thank you Jamielyn! Have a lovely Thanksgiving!
Annissa
Great easy recipe perfect for this time of the year! Love the flavors and looks so delish!
Binky
Thanks so much, Annissa! I appreciate that! Happy holidays!