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Quick & Easy Brown Sugar Cranberry Sauce with Orange Zest

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This quick brown sugar cranberry sauce with orange zest comes together in about 15 minutes using one pot and simple ingredients. It’s tart-sweet, speckled with fragrant orange zest, and perfect for weeknight dinners or holiday feasts.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (340g) fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 3/4 cup (150g) packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) water
  • 1 medium orange (zest and 2 tablespoons juice)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cinnamon stick (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Instructions

  1. Wash the orange well. Using a microplane, grate the zest (about 1 tablespoon). Cut the orange in half and squeeze out 2 tablespoons of juice. Set both aside.
  2. In a medium saucepan, combine brown sugar and water. Heat over medium-high, stirring until sugar dissolves completely (about 2 minutes).
  3. Add cranberries (fresh or frozen) and cinnamon stick if using. Stir to combine.
  4. Bring to a full boil, then reduce heat to medium-low for a gentle simmer. Cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most cranberries have popped and sauce thickens slightly.
  5. After about 8 minutes of simmering, stir in orange zest, orange juice, and salt. If using vanilla extract, stir it in at the end.
  6. Remove from heat. Let cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. Remove cinnamon stick if used.
  7. Serve warm, at room temperature, or cold.

Notes

The sauce thickens as it cools. If too thin after cooling, simmer for 3-5 more minutes. If too thick, stir in a tablespoon of water or orange juice. Make ahead for best flavor; keeps in fridge up to 2 weeks or freeze up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry sauce, brown sugar, orange zest, quick, easy, Thanksgiving, holiday, side dish

Find it online: https://lumalunch.com/quick-and-easy-brown-sugar-cranberry-sauce-with-orange-zest/