Homemade Cranberry Sauce With Mandarin Oranges
This Cranberry Sauce With Mandarin Oranges has that perfect sweet-tart balance that keeps everyone going back for seconds. Fresh cranberries simmer in mandarin juice and coconut sugar with just a hint of warm spice, a simple, real-food side that instantly makes your Thanksgiving table feel complete.
Servings: 12
Calories: 33kcal
Ingredients
- ¾ cup Coconut Sugar
- ½ cup Water
- 12 oz Fresh Cranberries about 3 cups
- ¼ cup Mandarin Orange Juice fresh-squeezed
- 1½ teaspoons Orange Zest
- ¼ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon Sea Salt
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the coconut sugar and water. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the mixture starts to bubble gently.¾ cup Coconut Sugar, ½ cup Water
- Add the cranberries and mandarin juice, then lower the heat to medium-low. Let it simmer for about 10-12 minutes, stirring every so often, until most of the cranberries have burst and the sauce begins to thicken.12 oz Fresh Cranberries, ¼ cup Mandarin Orange Juice
- Stir in the orange zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Let it cook for another minute or two to bring all the flavors together.1½ teaspoons Orange Zest, ¼ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon, ⅛ teaspoon Ground Nutmeg, ⅛ teaspoon Sea Salt
- Take it off the heat and let it cool to room temperature. It'll thicken as it cools. Transfer to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate until you're ready to serve.
Notes
Troubleshooting Tip: If the sauce seems too thick once cooled, stir in a splash of mandarin juice or water to loosen it up. If it's still too runny, return it to the stove and simmer for another minute or two until it reaches your preferred consistency.
Expert Tips And Notes
- Go fresh when you can: Fresh cranberries pop beautifully as they cook, giving you that perfect texture.
- Keep it gentle: Once the cranberries go in, keep the heat low - you want a simmer, not a boil.
- Taste and tweak: Cranberries can vary in tartness. Taste as you go and adjust with a little more sugar or citrus juice if needed.
- Make it ahead: This sauce gets even better after a day or two in the fridge - the flavors deepen and the texture turns glossy and thick.
Nutrition
Calories: 33kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 0.01g | Fat: 0.01g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.001g | Sodium: 44mg | Potassium: 1mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 0.01mg
