Print

Easy Small-Batch Cranberry Sauce with Orange Zest

easy small-batch cranberry sauce with orange zest - featured image
Print Recipe

This bright, zesty cranberry sauce comes together in under 20 minutes with simple ingredients. Perfect for small gatherings, it’s a last-minute holiday hero that always gets rave reviews.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (12-ounce) bag fresh cranberries (about 3 cups)
  • 1 large navel orange (zest and juice)
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 small cinnamon stick (optional)
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Zest and juice the orange. Wash the orange thoroughly, then grate the outer peel to get about 1 tablespoon of zest. Cut the orange in half and juice it to get about 1/4 cup of juice. Set both aside.
  2. Combine the liquid base. In a medium saucepan, add the fresh orange juice, water, honey, and granulated sugar. If using a cinnamon stick, add it now. Stir over medium heat until the honey and sugar are completely dissolved, about 2 minutes.
  3. Bloom the orange zest. Once the liquid is warm and sweeteners dissolved, add the orange zest to the pot. Stir and let it sit in the warm liquid for about 1 minute to release the essential oils.
  4. Add the cranberries. Pour in the fresh cranberries and stir. Turn the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil. You’ll hear the cranberries start to pop.
  5. Simmer and stir. Reduce the heat to medium-low for a gentle simmer. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens.
  6. Check for doneness. After about 8 minutes, the sauce should coat the back of a spoon. It will thicken more as it cools, so don’t overcook.
  7. Cool and serve. Remove from heat, discard the cinnamon stick if used. Let cool in the pot for 10 minutes, then transfer to a serving bowl or storage jar. Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled.

Notes

Don’t skip blooming the zest—it makes the orange flavor pop. Watch the heat to prevent burning. Use a timer for the simmering step. The sauce gets better after a day in the fridge. For a vegan version, substitute maple syrup for honey.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry sauce, small batch, orange zest, honey, Thanksgiving, easy, quick, holiday

Find it online: https://dinadishes.com/easy-small-batch-cranberry-sauce-with-orange-zest/