Cranberry Sauce Recipe with Orange

Cranberry Sauce Recipe with Orange

One of my favorite side dishes has got to be the cranberry sauce. Can you believe that I never even tried cranberry sauce until I was in my 30s? I didn't even know that I liked cranberries. Now I can't get enough. This very simple cranberry sauce will simmer beautifully while you prepare other things and it will make your house smell amazing.  The best part is that there are no refined sugars or high fructose corn syrups to worry about. We hope that this Cranberry Sauce Recipe with Orange recipe post inspires you. 

Cranberry Sauce Recipe with Orange

Ingredients

• 12-ounce bag of cranberries, washed
• 1 cup sweet white wine (we used a riesling)
• ½ cup pure maple syrup (add a little more for a sweeter taste)
• orange zest
• orange rind

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a pan set to just under medium heat.
2. Bring a simmer and let reduce for about 20-30 minutes. Depending on how much you would like the berries to break down, you may want to cook a little longer for a smoother sauce.  You do not need to cut them ahead of time as they will split while heating and do it on their own in a sea of beautiful pink froth.
3. When the time is up, use your stick blender to quickly pulse just a little bit of the mixture, you’ll want to leave some of the cranberries whole for a perfectly homemade look.
4. Transfer to a serving dish, you may enjoy hot or chilled. Garnish with a twist of orange.
5. Keep in a sealed container, and refrigerate for up to one week.

History of Cranberry Sauce

The presence of cranberry sauce on the Thanksgiving table has a rich history, dating back to the early days of the American colonies. 

Shared Origins

• While we don't have definitive proof, evidence suggests both Native Americans and European settlers utilized cranberries as early as the 17th century.
  • Native Americans: They likely used cranberries for various purposes, including dye, medicine, and food. They might have incorporated cranberries in a dish called pemmican, combining dried meat and crushed berries.
  • European Settlers: Accounts from 1672 mention people “boyling them with sugar for a sauce to eat with their meat,” suggesting they developed a similar concept to cranberry sauce.

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Evolution and Documentation

• 1796: The first documented reference to cranberry sauce paired with turkey appears in Amelia Simmons' cookbook “American Cookery.”
• 1860s: Cranberry sauce became so ingrained in American cuisine that General Ulysses S. Grant included it in Thanksgiving meals for soldiers.

Canned Convenience

• Early 20th Century: Lawyer-turned-cranberry-grower Marcus Urann revolutionized the scene by creating canned cranberry sauce in 1912. This innovation made the fruit readily available year-round and significantly impacted its popularity.

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Today

• Cranberry sauce remains a Thanksgiving staple for many families, although opinions on its taste can be quite divided.
• The availability of canned options has certainly contributed to its continued presence, alongside homemade varieties and modern takes on the traditional recipe.

Cranberry Sauce Recipe with Orange

The history of cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving is a fascinating story of shared culinary traditions, evolving recipes, and modern innovations that have cemented its place on the holiday table for generations. This is such an easy-to-make recipe that is loved by adults and kids. Use the leftovers as a condiment for sandwiches. We hope that you are inspired by this Cranberry Sauce Recipe with Orange recipe. Happy holidays.

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