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Make-Ahead Cranberry Orange Sauce with Grand Marnier

make-ahead cranberry orange sauce - featured image
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A glossy, thick cranberry orange sauce with a perfect balance of tart and sweet, enhanced by the subtle warmth of Grand Marnier. This make-ahead sauce is ideal for holiday meals and keeps well refrigerated.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces fresh cranberries, rinsed and picked over
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
  • 1/2 cup fresh orange juice (about 2 medium oranges)
  • Zest of 1 large orange
  • 2 tablespoons Grand Marnier
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Rinse 12 ounces of fresh cranberries under cold water, picking out any soft or damaged berries. Set aside.
  2. Zest one large orange using a microplane or fine grater, avoiding the white pith. Juice about 2 medium oranges to yield 1/2 cup fresh juice. Set aside separately.
  3. In a medium saucepan, combine 1/2 cup water, 1 cup granulated sugar, orange zest, and a pinch of salt. Stir gently over medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Add the rinsed cranberries to the saucepan, stir to coat, and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 8–10 minutes until cranberries begin to pop and release their juices.
  5. Stir in the fresh orange juice, 2 tablespoons Grand Marnier, and 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon if using. Continue simmering for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and develops a rich, glossy texture.
  6. Check the consistency; the sauce should be thick but spreadable like a loose jam. If too runny, simmer a minute or two longer. Remember it will thicken more as it cools.
  7. Remove from heat and let the sauce cool to room temperature in the saucepan. Transfer to a glass container and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to let flavors meld and texture set.

Notes

Stir gently to avoid breaking too many cranberries to maintain texture. Adjust sugar to taste during cooking. Use fresh orange juice and zest for best flavor. Sauce thickens as it cools. For a smoother sauce, pulse briefly in a food processor after cooling. Can be made alcohol-free by substituting Grand Marnier with extra orange juice or orange extract. Store in airtight container refrigerated up to 1 week or frozen up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry sauce, cranberry orange sauce, holiday sauce, make-ahead sauce, Grand Marnier sauce, Thanksgiving condiment, Christmas sauce, easy cranberry sauce

Find it online: https://cooksybite.com/make-ahead-cranberry-orange-sauce-with-grand-marnier-easy-recipe/