Florida Orange Juice Cranberry Sauce Recipe
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
- 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
- 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