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Healthy Cranberry Orange Sauce with orange zest in bowl

Healthy Orange Cranberry Sauce

Course: Sauces
Cuisine: American Holidays, American Thanksgiving
Keyword: cranberry sauce recipe, cranberry sauce with orange juice, Thanksgiving cranberry sauce
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 2 cups
Calories: 84kcal
Author: Ashley
Learn how to make Healthy Orange Cranberry Sauce made with orange juice and honey (or maple syrup). This easy recipe comes with a bit of zing, thanks to ginger. This recipe can be made on the stovetop or Instant Pot (pressure cooker). Tips to make ahead as well!
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Ingredients

  • 12 ounce bag of fresh cranberries rinsed
  • 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1 teaspoon ginger paste or 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger optional
  • zest of 1 medium orange
  • 1/4 cup water* only if using Instant Pot

Instructions

Stovetop Method

  • In medium pot over high heat, add cranberries, honey or maple syrup, orange juice and ginger; stir until combined and allow mixture to come to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The cranberries will start to burst a bit and mixture will thicken.
  • Mash cranberries with fork or back of spoon until desired consistency. Stir in orange zest and remove frome heat.
  • Taste test here to make sure it's to your liking. Remember, this cranberry sauce is naturally sweetened and meant to be tart. If you need a little more sweetness, stir in a 1-2 tablespoons of granulated sugar as needed.
  • Mixture will thicken upon standing.

Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Method

  • Add cranberries, honey or maple syrup, orange juice, water and ginger to pot; stir until combined then close and lock lid, setting valve to sealing position.
  • Hit Manual on Instant Pot and cook for 5 minutes. Naturally release for 10 minutes then remove lid and stir cranberry sauce. Mash cranberries with potato masher (or large wooden spoon). Stir in orange zest.
  • Transfer cranberry sauce to bowl and allow to cool; mixture will thicken once cooled.

Notes

Cranberry Sauce thickens once cooled. 
Prep up to 5 days in advance, storing covered in refrigerator. 
Recipe can be easily doubled; if doubling the recipe for an electric pressure cooker, you will not need the additional 1/4 cup water.
This Cranberry Sauce can be frozen up to 3 months in advance (stored in airtight container). Just be sure to let it thaw in fridge 1 day ahead and stir well before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 2tbsp | Calories: 84kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g