Introduction

This Florida Orange Juice Cranberry Sauce offers a bright, citrusy twist on the traditional holiday favorite. With fresh orange zest and a hint of rosemary and thyme, it’s a flavorful complement to turkey or any festive meal.

A white bowl filled to the top with a thick, chunky sauce made of bright red cranberries that look plump and slightly shiny, mixed with some darker red, almost purple, crushed berries in a glossy liquid. The surface shows a mix of whole berries and pieces that create a textured, uneven layer. The bowl is set on a soft pink background, next to part of a white plate with a folded red napkin and a glass with amber colored liquid. 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 (3-4 sprigs each, tied together with kitchen twine), optional
3 cups fresh or frozen cranberries

Instructions

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

Tips & Variations

For a smoother sauce, lightly mash some cranberries with a spoon during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
This sauce can be made up to 7 days in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator.
Freeze in a freezer-safe, airtight container for up to 6 months to enjoy later.

Storage

Store the cranberry sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. To reheat, warm gently on the stove over low heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally. Frozen sauce should be thawed overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

A close-up view of a white bowl filled with thick, chunky cranberry sauce. The sauce is deep red with visible whole and broken cranberries, showing a shiny, slightly wet texture. The bowl sits on a pale pink surface, with parts of a white plate with a red napkin and amber-colored glasses around it just out of focus. The scene is simple and fresh with natural lighting. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen cranberries for this recipe?

Yes, frozen cranberries work just as well as fresh ones and can be used directly from the freezer without thawing.

Do I have to use rosemary and thyme in the sauce?

The herb bundle is optional but adds a lovely aromatic note. If you prefer a simpler sauce, you can omit the herbs without affecting the core flavor.

Florida Orange Juice Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 68 reviews

This Florida Orange Juice Cranberry Sauce is a vibrant and tangy holiday condiment featuring fresh cranberries cooked with sweet Florida orange juice, bright orange zest, and aromatic herbs. It’s a perfect balance of sweet and tart with a fragrant hint of rosemary and thyme, ideal for serving alongside turkey or holiday meals.

Author: Ella
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: About 2 cups 1x
Category: Sauce
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

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 Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine orange juice, orange zest, granulated sugar, and the herb bundle over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar completely dissolves, about 3-5 minutes.
Add Cranberries and Boil: Stir in the cranberries and bring the mixture to a boil to activate the burst of the berries.
Simmer to Thicken: Reduce heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer until thickened and most cranberries have burst, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Remove Herbs and Cool: Remove the herb bundle and discard. Remove the sauce from heat and allow it to cool completely; it will thicken further as it cools before serving.

Notes

Can be made up to 7 days in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator.
Freezes well for up to 6 months when placed in a freezer-safe, airtight container.
For a smoother texture, lightly mash some cranberries with a spoon during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
The herb bundle is optional but adds a nice aromatic flavor profile.

Keywords: cranberry sauce, Florida orange juice, holiday sauce, cranberry condiment, citrus sauce, Thanksgiving sauce