The Best Cranberry Sauce Recipe with Orange

Last Updated on November 9, 2026 by Carrie Korem, FNTP

This is the best Cranberry Sauce Recipe with Orange that I make for the Thanksgiving table each year! It’s made of all real food ingredients, and the added orange brings out the fresh cranberry flavor.

What Do I Need to Make a Cranberry Sauce Recipe with Orange

Water
Organic cane sugar
Orange zest (it’s best if it’s an organic orange)
Celtic sea salt
Fresh cranberries
Orange liqueur such as Triple sec or Grand Marnier, or fresh orange juice

Is Brown Sugar or White Sugar Best for Cranberry Sauce

It’s best to use a white sugar for cranberry sauce because it provides a cleaner flavor. Brown sugar contains some molasses and doesn’t pair best with cranberries and oranges.

I always prefer to use an organic cane sugar since conventional white sugar is a GMO food.

How do you make fresh cranberry sauce with orange

• Place the water and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
• Stir in the orange zest and cranberries and bring to a boil.
• Reduce to medium and simmer until slightly thickened, and about 1/2 of the cranberries have popped open, about 5 minutes.
• Take off the heat and add the orange liqueur.
• Transfer to a non-reactive bowl (glass or ceramic) and cool to room temperature. Serve at room temp. 

Can cranberry sauce be made in advance

Yes! The cranberry sauce can be refrigerated for up to 5 days. I like to store it in a glass mason jar or glass food storage container. Let the sauce stand at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before serving to take the chill off.

What does orange do for cranberry sauce

The orange brightens the flavor of the cranberry sauce and it pairs so well with Thanksgiving turkey!

More Thanksgiving side dishes for you to enjoy!

Green Beans with Browned Butter and Pepitas
The Best Gluten-Free Green Bean Casserole
Scalloped Potatoes 

The Best Cranberry Sauce Recipe with Orange

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• Author: Carrie Korem, FNTP
• Prep Time: 5
• Cook Time: 10
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: Serves 8

Ingredients

Units USM

• 3/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup organic cane sugar
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1/4 tsp Celtic sea salt
• 1 (12-ounce) bag fresh cranberries
• 2 tablespoons orange liqueur - such as Triple sec or Grand Marnier (you can also use orange juice as a substitute)

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Instructions

1. Place the water and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Stir in the orange zest and cranberries and bring to a boil. Reduce to medium and simmer until slightly thickened, and about 1/2 of the cranberries have popped open, about 5 minutes. Take off the heat and add the orange liqueur. Transfer to a non-reactive bowl (glass or ceramic) and cool to room temperature. Serve at room temp. 
2. The cranberry sauce can be refrigerated for up to 5 days. Let it stand at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before serving.