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Cozy Cranberry Orange Sauce with Fresh Rosemary: Easy 15-Minute Recipe

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This quick and easy cranberry sauce combines tart cranberries, bright orange zest, and earthy rosemary for a flavorful twist on a classic holiday side dish. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any festive meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (340 g) fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) fresh orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1 large sprig fresh rosemary (about 4 inches long)
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) water
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 cinnamon stick (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon bourbon or Grand Marnier (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse the cranberries under cold water and pick out any soft or shriveled ones. Zest your orange before juicing it. Set the zest aside. Juice the orange and measure out 1/2 cup of juice. If you’re short, top it off with water. Have your rosemary sprig ready.
  2. In a medium saucepan, add the cranberries, sugar, orange juice, water, and a pinch of salt. Stir to combine. Do not add the rosemary or orange zest yet.
  3. Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a gentle boil, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Once simmering, drop in the whole rosemary sprig, pressing it down into the liquid. Reduce heat to medium-low to maintain a steady simmer.
  5. Let the sauce simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most of the cranberries have burst and the sauce thickens.
  6. Test for doneness by dragging your finger through the sauce on the back of a spoon—if the line holds, it’s ready.
  7. Remove the rosemary sprig with tongs and discard. Stir in the orange zest.
  8. Remove from heat and let cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Transfer to a serving bowl or storage container. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
  9. Taste and adjust sweetness or tartness as desired. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

Notes

For best flavor, make the sauce a day ahead and refrigerate overnight. The flavors meld and the texture firms up perfectly. Let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving. If the sauce is too runny, simmer longer or let it cool completely—pectin will continue to set. For a smoother texture, blend with an immersion blender after cooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry sauce, orange cranberry sauce, rosemary cranberry sauce, easy cranberry sauce, homemade cranberry sauce, Thanksgiving side dish, Christmas recipe

Find it online: https://oracooks.com/cozy-cranberry-orange-sauce-with-fresh-rosemary-easy-15-minute-recipe/