Introduction

This Florida Orange Juice Cranberry Sauce offers a fresh and zesty twist on the classic holiday condiment. With bright citrus notes and fragrant herbs, it’s a perfect balance of sweet and tangy, ideal for complementing your festive meals.

A white bowl filled with a thick, chunky deep red cranberry sauce that has a textured, slightly glossy surface. On top, there is a small, thin slice of orange placed near the edge, adding a bright yellow-orange contrast. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with soft lighting that highlights the richness of the sauce. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup Florida Orange Juice
1 tablespoon orange zest
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 small bundle fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs, optional (3-4 sprigs each, tied together with kitchen twine)
3 cups fresh or frozen cranberries

Instructions

Step 1: In a medium saucepan, combine the orange juice, orange zest, granulated sugar, and the herb bundle over medium heat.
Step 2: Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has completely dissolved, about 3-5 minutes.
Step 3: Stir in the cranberries and bring the mixture to a boil.
Step 4: Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer until the sauce thickens and most cranberries have burst, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Step 5: Remove the herb bundle and discard. Remove from heat and let the sauce cool completely before serving. It will continue to thicken as it cools.

Tips & Variations

For a smoother texture, lightly mash some cranberries with a spoon during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
This sauce can be made up to 7 days ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator for convenience.
Freeze leftovers in a freezer-safe, airtight container for up to 6 months without losing flavor.

Storage

Store the cranberry sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. To reheat, warm gently in a saucepan over low heat or microwave in short bursts, stirring occasionally until heated through.

How to Serve

The image shows a small white bowl filled with thick, chunky cranberry sauce which is deep red in color and slightly glossy, indicating a fresh, juicy texture. On top of the sauce, there is a thin slice of bright orange lemon placed near the edge as decoration. The bowl is set on a white marbled surface with a subtle light green patterned cloth underneath it, adding a touch of softness to the scene. The sauce fills almost the entire bowl, looking rich and homemade. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this cranberry sauce without fresh herbs?

Yes, the herb bundle is optional. The sauce will still taste delicious with just the orange juice, zest, sugar, and cranberries.

Can I use frozen cranberries for this recipe?

Absolutely. Frozen cranberries work well and can be added directly to the saucepan without thawing first.

Florida Orange Juice Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 91 reviews

This zesty Florida Orange Juice Cranberry Sauce combines fresh cranberries with vibrant orange juice and zest, enhanced by aromatic rosemary and thyme. Perfect as a tangy, sweet side for holiday meals, it’s easy to prepare on the stovetop and can be made ahead or frozen for convenience.

Author: Maya
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Category: Sauce
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale

Cranberry Sauce Ingredients

1 cup Florida Orange Juice
1 tablespoon orange zest
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 small bundle fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs, optional (3–4 sprigs each, tied together with kitchen twine)
3 cups fresh or frozen cranberries

Instructions

Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the Florida Orange Juice, orange zest, granulated sugar, and the herb bundle over medium heat to start the flavor infusion and dissolve the sugar.
Dissolve Sugar: Cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has completely dissolved, approximately 3-5 minutes, ensuring a smooth sweet base.
Add Cranberries and Boil: Stir in the cranberries and bring the mixture to a boil to activate the fruit’s natural pectin and start the thickening process.
Simmer and Thicken: Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer for about 15 minutes until thickened and most cranberries have burst, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
Remove Herbs and Cool: Remove the herb bundle and discard it. Take the sauce off the heat and let it cool completely; the sauce will continue to thicken as it cools, achieving the perfect consistency.

Notes

The sauce can be prepared up to 7 days ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator.
Freeze well for up to 6 months in a freezer-safe, airtight container.
For a smoother texture, mash some cranberries slightly with a spoon during the last 5 minutes of cooking.

Keywords: cranberry sauce, Florida orange juice, holiday side dish, stovetop cranberry sauce, fresh cranberry sauce, orange zest, rosemary, thyme