Easy Cranberry Sauce Microwave
Whip up a festive favorite in minutes with this Easy Cranberry Sauce Microwave recipe! Perfectly balancing tart fresh cranberries with the natural sweetness of orange juice and a hint of zesty citrus, this no-fuss recipe comes together in just 8 minutes in the microwave. With minimal prep—and no stovetop mess—you’ll have a glossy, vibrant cranberry sauce that thickens beautifully as it cools, making it the ideal make-ahead dish for holiday feasts or everyday meals. Whether you’re short on time or simply looking for a quick and flavorful side, this microwave cranberry sauce is bound to steal the show.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Fresh cranberries
- 0.75 cup Granulated sugar
- 0.5 cup Orange juice
- 0.25 cup Water
- 1 teaspoon Orange zest
Instructions
Rinse the fresh cranberries thoroughly and discard any that are soft or damaged.
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the cranberries, granulated sugar, orange juice, and water. Stir to mix evenly.
Cover the bowl loosely with a microwave-safe plate or microwave-safe plastic wrap (leave a small vent for steam).
Microwave the mixture on high for 5 minutes. Pause and carefully stir to mix the ingredients, as they will begin to bubble and the cranberries may start popping.
Continue microwaving in 1-minute intervals, stirring after each interval, until the cranberries have burst and the sauce has thickened. This should take an additional 2-3 minutes depending on your microwave's power.
Remove the bowl from the microwave (use oven mitts as it will be hot) and stir in the orange zest.
Allow the cranberry sauce to cool to room temperature. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
Serve immediately or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate until needed. The sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
790 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 0.9 g | 1% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.0 g | 0% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 9 mg | 0% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 204.7 g | 74% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 13.1 g | 47% | |
| Total Sugars | 174.8 g | ||
| Protein | 2.4 g | 5% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 45 mg | 3% | |
| Iron | 1.0 mg | 6% | |
| Potassium | 510 mg | 11% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
