Homemade Apple Orange Cranberry Sauce: The Perfect Holiday Companion

Elevate your festive table with this delightful **Apple Orange Cranberry Sauce**. Brilliantly simple to prepare, subtly spiced, and overflowing with vibrant fruit flavors, this sweet-tart condiment is an absolute must-have for your Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any holiday gathering. Its excellent storage capabilities mean you can effortlessly prepare it in advance, keeping it chilled in your fridge or freezer, thus ensuring a stress-free and smooth holiday meal preparation. Move over, canned cranberry jelly—this homemade version promises a burst of fresh, complex flavors that will become an instant family favorite.

Crafting Your Homemade Apple Orange Cranberry Sauce: A Detailed Guide

Preparing this gourmet cranberry sauce from scratch is a rewarding and surprisingly straightforward process. You’ll transform simple, wholesome ingredients into a luscious, flavorful side dish that will undoubtedly become a highlight of your holiday table. Follow these easy, step-by-step instructions to achieve perfect results every time.

Step 1: Create the Concentrated Cranberry Juice Base

A Note on Cranberry Juice and Recipe Evolution: This recipe, which we first published in 2014, was originally inspired by Bon Appétit’s 1993 Triple Berry Cranberry Sauce. The initial version called for frozen cranberry juice cocktail concentrate. However, in recent years, many home cooks (including ourselves) have found this specific ingredient increasingly difficult to source in local grocery stores. To ensure this beloved recipe remains accessible and easy for everyone to make, we have thoughtfully adapted it to utilize readily available bottled cranberry juice cocktail. This adjustment ensures the same rich, intense cranberry flavor without the challenge of locating a specialty item.

To begin, pour 2 cups of cranberry juice cocktail into a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the juice to a vigorous boil. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to a steady simmer. The objective of this crucial step is to reduce the volume of the juice by half, leaving you with approximately 1 cup of highly concentrated, intensely flavored cranberry juice. This reduction process significantly deepens the cranberry essence, forming a robust and flavorful foundation for your sauce. This typically takes about 15 to 20 minutes, so monitor the juice closely and stir occasionally to prevent it from sticking or scorching at the bottom of the pan.

Step 2: Simmer and Infuse the Main Ingredients

Once your cranberry juice has been perfectly reduced and boasts a concentrated flavor, it’s time to introduce the sweetness. Add your desired amount of granulated sugar to the concentrated cranberry juice in the saucepan. Stir continuously until the sugar has completely dissolved, ensuring a smooth and even sweetness throughout the base. This recipe offers a unique advantage: customizable sweetness. You can easily adjust the sugar level to match your preference, whether you enjoy a tangier sauce or a sweeter, more dessert-like profile.

When we adapted the recipe from frozen concentrate to bottled juice, we noticed that bottled juice tends to be less sweet. Therefore, we’ve updated our sugar recommendations to guide you in achieving your ideal balance:

• For a Pronounced Tart Cranberry Flavor: We recommend using 1/2 cup of granulated sugar. This option allows the natural tartness of the cranberries to shine brightly, offering a refreshingly zesty sauce.
• For a Moderately Sweet Sauce: Opt for 3/4 cup of granulated sugar. This creates a beautifully balanced sauce where the sweetness complements the tartness without overpowering it, perfect for most palates.
• For a Sweet-Tart Sauce that Leans Sweeter: Use 1 cup of granulated sugar. This choice results in a richer, sweeter sauce that is still wonderfully balanced by the fruit’s natural acidity, making it almost jam-like.

Next, carefully add the fresh cranberries, sweetened dried cranberries (craisins), and the diced Fuji apple to the saucepan. Stir all the ingredients together to ensure they are well combined and coated in the juice base. Fuji apples are an excellent choice here due to their firm texture, which prevents them from turning mushy during cooking, and their balanced sweetness that complements the cranberries beautifully.

Bring the entire mixture back to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to maintain a gentle, steady simmer. Allow the sauce to cook for approximately 10 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent any sticking and ensure all ingredients cook evenly. During this simmering period, you’ll observe most of the fresh cranberries beginning to burst open, releasing their internal pectin and juices, which naturally helps to thicken the sauce. Simultaneously, the diced apples will soften to a tender consistency, yet still retain a slight structural integrity.

For an enhanced texture that offers a pleasing interplay between smooth and slightly chunky elements, we recommend gently mashing some, but not all, of the burst cranberries with the back of your spoon as they cook. This technique provides a more rustic and satisfying mouthfeel, ensuring each spoonful offers both rich sauce and delightful textural variation.

Step 3: Infuse with Final Flavors and Chill to Perfection

Once the cranberries have burst and the apples are tender, remove the saucepan from the heat. This is the pivotal moment to introduce the final layers of flavor that will truly elevate your cranberry sauce. Carefully stir in the fresh orange juice, finely grated fresh orange zest (which provides intense citrus oils for maximum aroma), sweet orange marmalade (we suggest a high-quality brand like Smucker’s for consistent flavor and texture), fragrant ground cinnamon, and a delicate pinch of ground cloves. These ingredients will meld together, infusing the sauce with bright, warm, and subtly complex notes that are characteristic of an outstanding homemade cranberry sauce.

For those who appreciate a sophisticated touch, now is the opportune time to stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of your preferred orange liqueur, such as Grand Marnier or Cointreau. This optional addition contributes a remarkable depth and aromatic complexity, transforming the sauce into an even more memorable culinary experience. Since the liqueur is added after the simmering process, its alcohol content will remain, enhancing the overall flavor profile. Ensure everything is thoroughly mixed to guarantee an even distribution of these delightful flavors.

Once all the flavors are incorporated, transfer the warm sauce to a clean bowl. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap, ensuring the wrap directly touches the surface of the sauce. This crucial step prevents the formation of a skin as it cools. Refrigerate the sauce until it is thoroughly chilled, ideally overnight. This extended chilling period is vital for two reasons: it allows all the delicious flavors to meld and deepen into a more harmonious and complex profile, and it enables the sauce to thicken beautifully to its perfect spoonable consistency. Keep in mind that flavors often taste slightly sweeter when chilled compared to when warm, a factor to consider when assessing your preferred level of sweetness during preparation.

One of the most remarkable advantages of this Apple Orange Cranberry Sauce recipe is its incredible make-ahead convenience. You can fully prepare this entire dish up to 5 days in advance, making it an invaluable asset for reducing stress during busy holiday preparations. Store the finished sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator, allowing its flavors to continue developing and maturing. For optimal texture and taste, simply remove it from the fridge approximately 10 minutes before serving, allowing it to come to a slightly cooler room temperature.

For even longer-term storage, this fully-cooled sauce freezes exceptionally well. Transfer it to a freezer-safe container, ensuring a tight seal, and it will maintain its quality for up to 3 months. To thaw, simply transfer the container from the freezer to the refrigerator the night before you plan to serve it. This ultimate flexibility ensures you always have a batch of this exquisite homemade cranberry sauce ready to enhance any meal.

Beyond the Bird: Versatile Ways to Enjoy Your Apple Orange Cranberry Sauce

While our Apple-Orange Cranberry Sauce is undoubtedly the quintessential accompaniment for your holiday turkey, its bright, fresh, and complex flavors make it far more versatile than just a once-a-year side dish. It pairs exceptionally well with a wide array of meats, including succulent herb-roasted turkey breast, tender roasted chicken, elegant pork tenderloin, and hearty pork chops. But its utility extends far beyond the main course! Discover these creative and delicious ways to incorporate this homemade delight into your everyday meals, brunches, and entertaining:

1. Gourmet Sandwich Spread: Elevate your post-holiday leftovers to an art form! This vibrant sauce is an absolute game-changer on your “day-after-Thanksgiving” turkey and stuffing sandwiches, adding a much-needed moistness and zesty kick. For an extra special culinary treat, try it generously layered into our Turkey and Brie Croissant Panini, where its sweet-tart notes beautifully cut through the richness of the cheese and meat.
2. Decadent Cranberry Butter: Create an incredibly flavorful compound butter by simply mixing a few generous spoonfuls of this homemade cranberry sauce into softened unsalted butter. This vibrant, colorful spread is divine on warm, flaky buttermilk biscuits, freshly baked dinner rolls, or especially delicious slathered on my family’s favorite buttermilk cornbread or sweet potato biscuits. It adds an instant festive pop of flavor to any bread basket or breakfast spread.
3. Elegant Soup Garnish: Add a dollop of this radiant cranberry sauce atop creamy butternut squash soup or sweet potato soup for a stunning visual presentation and an exhilarating flavor contrast. The bright tanginess of the cranberries beautifully cuts through and enlivens the rich, earthy notes of autumn soups, making each spoonful a delightful surprise and adding a gourmet touch.
4. Sophisticated Cheese Boards & Crostini: A small bowl of this homemade cranberry sauce is an indispensable addition to any fall or holiday cheese and charcuterie board. Its sweet-tart profile forms a perfect marriage with soft, creamy cheeses such as brie, camembert, and goat cheese, offering a delightful counterpoint to their richness. It also pairs wonderfully with sharp, aged cheeses like cheddar or gouda, bringing out their nutty undertones. For an effortless yet impressively elegant appetizer, use it generously instead of traditional fruit preserves in a baked brie, or dollop it onto crispy crostini toasts with a spread of whipped cream cheese or your favorite soft, spreadable cheese.

More Delightful Cranberry Recipes to Explore

Cranberries are incredibly versatile, offering a unique tartness and vibrant color that enhances both sweet and savory dishes, as well as refreshing beverages. If you’ve enjoyed the bright flavors of this apple orange cranberry sauce, we invite you to explore more fantastic recipes from our collection that celebrate this incredible fruit:

• Cranberry Moscow Mule: A festive and zesty cocktail, perfect for holiday entertaining or any time you crave a refreshing drink with a seasonal twist.
• Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad: A delightful salad featuring a harmonious blend of sweet, savory, and nutty textures. This recipe also works exceptionally well with leftover turkey!
• Cornish Hens with Apple-Cranberry Rice Stuffing: An impressive and flavorful main course, perfect for an elegant dinner, featuring a savory and fruity rice stuffing.
• Cranberry Pecan Stuffing: A delicious and hearty stuffing that adds a wonderful balance of sweetness and crunch to your holiday meal, a true crowd-pleaser.

Essential Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes

No holiday feast, especially Thanksgiving, is truly complete without an impressive array of delectable side dishes. These indispensable accompaniments beautifully complement your main course, creating a rich and memorable dining experience. Explore our curated selection of beloved recipes, guaranteed to make your Thanksgiving spread truly unforgettable, offering something delightful for every taste and preference:

• Traditional Bread Stuffing with Herbs: A timeless classic, rich with aromatic herbs and savory flavors, offering comforting familiarity.
• Sausage and Chestnut Stuffing: A robust and deeply flavorful stuffing, perfect for those who appreciate a hearty and complex addition to their holiday plate.
• Buttermilk Sweet Potato Casserole: A creamy, comforting casserole with a delightful hint of tang from buttermilk, balancing the natural sweetness of the potatoes.
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranate Glaze: A vibrant and elegant side dish, combining the tender crispness of roasted sprouts with a sweet-tart pomegranate glaze.
• Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes: Incredibly smooth and luxuriously rich mashed potatoes, made extra decadent and flavorful with the addition of cream cheese.

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Apple Orange Cranberry Sauce

by Amanda Biddle

A delightful homemade Apple-Orange Cranberry Sauce bursting with fresh and vibrant flavors! This exquisite twist on a classic combines the tartness of cranberries, the crisp sweetness of Fuji apples, the bright zest of oranges, and a hint of warming holiday spices to create a perfectly balanced sweet-tart side dish. It’s an excellent accompaniment for traditional roasted turkey, chicken, or pork, and also makes a fantastic addition to charcuterie boards, or even elevates day-after-Thanksgiving sandwiches into a gourmet experience. This make-ahead friendly recipe is your secret weapon for stress-free holiday entertaining, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your celebration.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Chilling Time: 8 hours

Total Time: 8 hours 45 minutes

Yields: 12 servings (approximately 1/4 cup each)

Ingredients

• 2 cups cranberry juice cocktail (see recipe notes for details)
• ½ to 1 cup granulated sugar (adjust to your sweetness preference; see recipe notes)
• 12 ounces fresh cranberries, thoroughly rinsed and drained
• ½ cup dried sweetened cranberries (“craisins”) (approximately 2 ounces)
• 1 large Fuji apple, peeled, cored, and uniformly cut into 1/3 to 1/2-inch dice (yielding about 1-1/2 cups)
• 3 tablespoons sweet orange marmalade (a good quality brand such as Smucker’s is recommended)
• 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
• 2 teaspoons finely grated orange zest
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1-2 tablespoons Grand Marnier or Cointreau (optional, refer to recipe notes for usage)

Instructions

1. Begin by pouring 2 cups of cranberry juice cocktail into a heavy saucepan. Bring the juice to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a steady simmer and continue to cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the juice has reduced by half, yielding approximately 1 cup of concentrated juice. Stir in the granulated sugar until it is completely dissolved.
2. Add the fresh cranberries, dried cranberries, and diced Fuji apple to the saucepan, stirring well to combine all ingredients. Bring the mixture back to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to maintain a gentle, consistent simmer. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the apples are tender and most of the fresh cranberries have burst open. As the cranberries burst, you may gently mash some (but not all) with the back of your spoon to create a varied texture. Remove the saucepan from the heat.
3. Carefully stir in the sweet orange marmalade, fresh orange juice, finely grated orange zest, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves. If you are using orange liqueur, stir in 1-2 tablespoons of Grand Marnier or Cointreau at this stage as well.
4. Transfer the finished sauce to a clean bowl. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap, ensuring the wrap directly touches the surface of the sauce to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate the sauce until it is thoroughly chilled, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to fully meld and the sauce to thicken properly. Serve the sauce chilled or at a cool room temperature.
5. This cranberry sauce can be prepared up to 5 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. For the best texture and flavor, remove it from the fridge about 10 minutes before serving. For extended storage, the fully-cooled sauce can be frozen in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. To thaw, simply transfer it from the freezer to the refrigerator the night before you plan to serve it.

Notes for Success and Customization

Important Note on Cranberry Juice and Sugar: When this recipe was originally published on Striped Spatula in 2014, it specified using 1 cup of defrosted frozen cranberry juice cocktail concentrate along with 1/3 cup of granulated sugar. However, finding frozen concentrate has become a challenge for many, including ourselves. Therefore, we have diligently reworked and re-tested the recipe to effectively use readily available bottled cranberry juice cocktail.

During the process of adapting to bottled juice, we discovered that 1/3 cup of sugar no longer provided sufficient sweetness to the sauce. To offer you the best possible homemade experience, we conducted additional test batches ranging from 1/2 cup to 1 cup of sugar. Our taste testers enjoyed all versions, but their preferences varied based on their desired sweetness level. We’ve decided to provide a sugar range so you can perfectly customize the recipe to your personal taste:

• If you prefer your cranberry sauce on the tarter side, we recommend using 1/2 cup of sugar.
• For a more moderate and balanced sweetness, use 3/4 cup of sugar.
• If you enjoy a sweet-tart cranberry sauce that leans more towards the sweet side, opt for 1 cup of sugar.

Should you still be able to source frozen cranberry juice cocktail concentrate and wish to prepare the original version, simply combine 1 cup of defrosted concentrate with 1/3 cup of granulated sugar, bring it to a boil over medium-high heat, and then proceed directly from Step 2 of the instructions, adding the cranberries and apples.

As noted in the original 2014 recipe, you can also prepare this sauce using water instead of cranberry juice. If opting for water, use 1 cup of water with 3/4 to 1 cup of granulated sugar, again adjusting the sugar level according to your desired sweetness.

Considerations for Orange Liqueur: Please be aware that since the orange liqueur is incorporated into the sauce after it has been simmered and removed from the heat, the alcohol content will not evaporate. This means the sauce, when made with liqueur, is not suitable for children or for anyone unable to consume alcohol. When choosing your liqueur, Grand Marnier will typically impart a slightly sweeter and more pronounced orange flavor, while Cointreau tends to offer a drier, more intense, and pure orange essence.

This recipe thoughtfully adapted from Bon Appétit’s Triple Berry Cranberry Sauce, published in 1993.

Estimated Nutritional Information

Serving Size: 0.25 cup | Calories: 115 kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.02g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.05g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 38mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 24IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Please note: The nutritional information provided is an automatic calculation and should be used as an approximation. Actual nutritional values may vary based on specific brands of ingredients used and exact preparation methods.

Important Note About Our Recipes

Our recipes have been developed primarily using the US Customary measurement system. Additionally, these recipes have not been specifically tested for high altitude or high-elevation cooking and baking. If you are cooking at a significantly higher altitude, you may need to make adjustments to ingredient quantities, cooking times, or baking temperatures for optimal results. Please keep this in mind when preparing our dishes.