Fresh Cranberry Sauce with Mandarin Oranges
Brighten up your holiday table with this Fresh Cranberry Sauce with Mandarin Oranges, a vibrant twist on the classic Thanksgiving side dish. Bursting with juicy fresh cranberries and sweet, citrusy mandarin orange segments, this homemade sauce strikes the perfect balance of tart and sweet. Infused with a warm hint of cinnamon, a splash of orange juice, and a touch of vanilla, every bite delivers layers of rich, festive flavor. Ready in just 25 minutes, this easy-to-make sauce is the ultimate make-ahead dish, thickening beautifully as it cools. Garnish with fragrant orange zest for an extra pop of color and flavor, and serve chilled or at room temperature to perfectly complement roasted turkey or ham. Ideal for holiday meals or as a topping for desserts, this stunning side dish is as versatile as it is delicious!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz fresh cranberries
- 3 mandarin oranges (peeled and segmented)
- 0.75 cup granulated sugar
- 0.25 cup orange juice
- 0.25 cup water
- 0.25 tsp ground cinnamon
- 0.5 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp orange zest (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Rinse the fresh cranberries under cold water and discard any damaged or soft berries.
Peel and segment the mandarin oranges, removing any seeds and as much pith as possible. Set aside.
In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the cranberries, granulated sugar, orange juice, and water.
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
Once the mixture reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the cranberries begin to burst and the sauce thickens.
Stir in the ground cinnamon and vanilla extract. Continue to cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to blend the flavors.
Remove the saucepan from heat and gently fold in the mandarin orange segments. Be careful not to break them apart too much.
Allow the cranberry sauce to cool to room temperature. The sauce will thicken further as it cools.
Transfer the sauce to a serving dish and, if desired, garnish with a sprinkle of orange zest.
Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Enjoy chilled or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
159 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 0.3 g | 0% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.0 g | 0% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 3 mg | 0% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 40.0 g | 15% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.1 g | 11% | |
| Total Sugars | 33.7 g | ||
| Protein | 0.8 g | 2% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 27 mg | 2% | |
| Iron | 0.3 mg | 2% | |
| Potassium | 153 mg | 3% | |
*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.
