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Best Homemade Cranberry Orange Sauce with Rosemary (Easy Recipe)

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This homemade cranberry orange sauce with rosemary is a game-changer for holiday meals. It’s quick, easy, and converts even the most stubborn cranberry sauce skeptics with its perfect balance of tart, sweet, herbaceous, and citrusy flavors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (340 grams) fresh or frozen cranberries
  • ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (120 ml) fresh orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest (from about 1 orange)
  • 1 large sprig fresh rosemary (about 4–5 inches long)
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) water
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients first: zest and juice the orange, measure sugar and water, rinse cranberries and pick out any shriveled or mushy ones, and have the rosemary sprig ready.
  2. Combine the sugar, orange juice, and water in a medium saucepan. Place over medium heat and stir gently until the sugar dissolves completely, about 2-3 minutes.
  3. Add the cranberries and the rosemary sprig. Stir gently. Reduce heat to medium-low once the mixture comes to a gentle boil.
  4. Cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens. Most berries should have burst, but some whole berries may remain.
  5. Test for doneness: the sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. For smoother sauce, cook 2-3 more minutes and mash gently; for chunkier, remove from heat sooner.
  6. Remove the rosemary sprig using tongs or a slotted spoon. Discard the sprig.
  7. Stir in the orange zest after the sauce has finished cooking.
  8. Let the sauce cool completely in a heat-safe bowl or glass jar (about 30-45 minutes). It will continue to thicken as it cools.
  9. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. The sauce can be made up to 2 weeks in advance.

Notes

Don’t skip the salt—it balances the sweetness and brightens the flavors. Use whole rosemary sprigs, not chopped leaves, to avoid woody bits. Adjust sweetness to taste by starting with ½ cup sugar and adding more. Make ahead for best flavor. Don’t overcook; the sauce will thicken as it cools. If too thick, stir in a tablespoon of warm water or orange juice. If too thin, simmer a few more minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry sauce, homemade cranberry sauce, cranberry orange sauce, rosemary cranberry sauce, Thanksgiving cranberry sauce, easy cranberry sauce, holiday cranberry sauce

Find it online: https://willarecipes.com/best-homemade-cranberry-orange-sauce-with-rosemary-easy-recipe/