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Easy Slow Cooker Cranberry Orange Sauce: Best Holiday Side

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This easy slow cooker cranberry orange sauce is a forgiving, set-it-and-forget-it holiday side dish. It combines fresh cranberries, orange zest, and juice with a touch of spice for a complex, vibrant flavor that pairs perfectly with turkey or chicken.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340g) fresh cranberries
  • 2 large navel oranges (for zest and juice)
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) additional fresh orange juice
  • 1/2 to 3/4 cup (100-150g) granulated white sugar (or brown sugar)
  • 2 tablespoons orange zest
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 pinch salt
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon bourbon or brandy
  • Optional: Whole cloves or star anise

Instructions

  1. Wash the oranges thoroughly. Using a microplane, zest the oranges, avoiding the bitter white pith. Cut the oranges in half and juice them to get about 1/2 cup of fresh juice. Add additional orange juice if needed to reach the total volume.
  2. Rinse the fresh cranberries in a colander. Remove any stems, leaves, or mushy berries and drain well.
  3. Pour the rinsed cranberries into the slow cooker. Add the fresh orange juice, sugar, orange zest, cinnamon stick, and salt. Stir gently to distribute the sugar.
  4. Cover the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or on LOW for 4-6 hours. The sauce is done when about 80% of the cranberries have popped open and the mixture has thickened.
  5. If a smoother texture is desired, strain the sauce through a fine-mesh strainer, pressing the solids to extract liquid. Discard solids or compost them.
  6. Let the sauce cool to room temperature before serving. It will continue to thicken as it cools. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Notes

The sauce improves in flavor if made 1-2 days ahead and refrigerated. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months. If the sauce is too tart, add more sugar or honey. For a smoother texture, blend with an immersion blender after cooking. Avoid using bottled juice with preservatives as it affects flavor and texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker cranberry sauce, holiday side dishes, cranberry orange sauce, easy holiday recipes, gluten-free side dishes, vegan holiday recipes

Find it online: https://lirafood.com/easy-slow-cooker-cranberry-orange-sauce-best-holiday-side/