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Budget-Friendly Cranberry Orange Sauce with Rosemary

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A quick and easy cranberry sauce with fresh orange and rosemary, perfect for holiday gatherings. This budget-friendly recipe comes together in under 25 minutes and costs less than $5 to make.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries (about 3 cups)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup fresh orange juice (from about 2 medium oranges)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 1/4 cup water
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 cinnamon stick (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients first. Wash the cranberries and pick out any soft or shriveled ones. Zest both oranges before juicing them. Juice the oranges until you have 1/2 cup of fresh juice.
  2. Combine the sugar, orange juice, and water in a medium saucepan. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely, about 2-3 minutes.
  3. Add the cranberries and rosemary sprigs. Stir to coat the cranberries. If using a cinnamon stick, add it now.
  4. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low for a gentle simmer. Set a timer for 15 minutes.
  5. Stir occasionally, about every 3-4 minutes. Around the 10-minute mark, the sauce will start to gel. Press some cranberries against the pot for a smoother texture if desired.
  6. Test for doneness after 15 minutes: the sauce should coat the back of a spoon and leave a clean line when you run your finger through it. If too runny, simmer 3-5 more minutes.
  7. Remove from heat. Stir in the orange zest and a pinch of salt. Remove the rosemary sprigs and cinnamon stick if used. For a smooth sauce, strain through a fine-mesh strainer.
  8. Let the sauce cool completely in a bowl or jar. It will thicken as it cools. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Flavors meld best overnight.

Notes

Don’t skip the cooling step; the sauce thickens as it cools. Rosemary is potent—use only 2 sprigs. Make ahead for best flavor. If too tart, add more sugar to taste.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry sauce, orange cranberry sauce, rosemary cranberry sauce, Thanksgiving side dish, budget-friendly recipe, easy cranberry sauce

Find it online: https://evadinnerideas.com/budget-friendly-cranberry-orange-sauce-with-rosemary/