Florida Orange Juice Cranberry Sauce Recipe
A bright and zesty Florida Orange Juice Cranberry Sauce combining fresh cranberries with sweet orange juice, aromatic orange zest, and optional fresh rosemary and thyme for a savory twist. Perfect as a holiday side or condiment, this sauce is easy to prepare on the stovetop and thickens beautifully as it cools.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: About 2 cups (serves 8) 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
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 Base Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the Florida orange juice, orange zest, granulated sugar, and the bundled fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs over medium heat. This mixture will provide the flavorful liquid base for the sauce.
- Dissolve Sugar: Cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, until all of the sugar has completely dissolved, about 3-5 minutes. This ensures a smooth, sweetened sauce.
- Add Cranberries and Boil: Stir in the cranberries and bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Boiling activates the natural pectin in cranberries, helping the sauce to thicken.
- Simmer to Thicken: Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer. Cook until the sauce thickens and most cranberries have burst, approximately 15 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the sauce from sticking to the pan.
- Remove Herbs and Cool: Remove the herb bundle and discard. Take the saucepan off the heat and allow the cranberry sauce to cool completely. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools, developing a rich texture.
Notes
- The cranberry sauce can be made up to 7 days in advance and should be stored covered in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
- For longer storage, freeze the sauce in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 6 months.
- To achieve a smoother texture, lightly mash some of the cranberries with a spoon during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- The fresh rosemary and thyme are optional but add a subtle herbal note that complements the bright citrus flavors.
Keywords: cranberry sauce, Florida orange juice, holiday sauce, citrus cranberry sauce, rosemary thyme sauce, stovetop cranberry sauce
