Mandarin Orange Ginger Cranberry Sauce is made from scratch. Mandarin Orange Ginger Cranberry Sauce is made of fresh cranberries, mandarin oranges, orange juice, fresh ginger, lemon, and coconut sugar. This homemade cranberry sauce is perfect for all holiday gatherings!
Mandarin Orange Ginger Cranberry Sauce makes the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s! You can enjoy it all year long, and it freezes well, making it a great make-ahead recipe. The combination of sweet mandarin oranges, tart cranberries, and fresh ginger creates a delicious balance of bright, festive flavors. Serve this homemade cranberry sauce alongside your favorite holiday dishes, or enjoy the leftovers with sandwiches, roasted meats, and more!
This recipe is inspired by my Easy Turkey Sliders recipe, and pairs well with my Pear And Apple Cider Sangria. Looking for more Thanksgiving recipes? Try my Organic Turkey Breast | Easy Thanksgiving Roast Turkey Recipe or my Stove Top Stuffing With Cornbread | Homemade Dressing Recipe you can make your entire Thanksgivng menu right here!
Jump to:
- 🥘 Ingredients for Mandarin Orange Ginger Cranberry Sauce
- Ingredients for Mandarin Orange Ginger Cranberry Sauce
- How to Make Cranberry Sauce from Scratch
- Top Tips for Perfect Homemade Cranberry Sauce
- 📖 Substitutions for Homemade Cranberry Sauce
- 📋Variations
- Equipment for Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce
- Storage Tips for Made from Scratch Cranberry Sauce
- 🎥 Video
- More Thanksgiving Day Recipes
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- 📖 Recipe
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🥘 Ingredients for Mandarin Orange Ginger Cranberry Sauce
You'll need a few key ingredients for Mandarin Orange Ginger Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients for Mandarin Orange Ginger Cranberry Sauce
- 🍒 Fresh Cranberries: The star of this recipe! Fresh cranberries give the sauce its beautiful ruby-red color and signature tart flavor.
- 🍊 Orange Juice: Adds natural sweetness and bright citrus flavor while providing liquid to help the cranberries cook down into a delicious sauce.
- 🍊 Mandarin Orange Slices: Add juicy bursts of sweetness, fresh citrus flavor, and a beautiful pop of orange color.
- 🥥 Coconut Sugar: Balances the tartness of the cranberries with a rich, slightly caramel-like sweetness.
- 🍂 Cinnamon or Pumpkin Spice: Adds cozy, warming spice that makes this cranberry sauce perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
- 🍋 Lemon Juice: Adds a fresh, tangy brightness that balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
- 🍋 Lemon Zest: Provides fragrant citrus oils that brighten the sauce without adding extra liquid.
- 🫚 Ginger: Gives the cranberry sauce a warm, slightly spicy kick that pairs beautifully with the citrus and cranberries.
- 🍊 Orange Zest: Intensifies the orange flavor and gives the finished cranberry sauce an extra layer of fresh citrus aroma.
This homemade Mandarin Orange Ginger Cranberry Sauce comes together with simple ingredients that create the perfect balance of sweet, tart, citrusy, and warm holiday flavors.
How to Make Cranberry Sauce from Scratch
- Step 1: Prepare the Mandarin Oranges and Ginger 🍊 Peel the mandarin oranges and separate them into segments. Peel and finely chop or grate the fresh ginger. Set aside a few mandarin orange slices for garnishing.
- Step 2: Rinse the Cranberries Rinse the fresh cranberries thoroughly under cold running water in a colander. Remove any soft or damaged cranberries.
- Step 3: Sauté the Cranberries Add the fresh cranberries and orange juice to a cast-iron skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally as the cranberries begin to soften.
- Step 4: Add the Remaining Ingredients Add the freshly grated ginger, lemon juice, mandarin orange slices, coconut sugar, and cinnamon or pumpkin spice. Stir until everything is well combined.
- Step 5: Simmer Until Thickened Continue cooking for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries begin to pop and the sauce thickens.
- Step 6: Garnish and Serve Remove the cranberry sauce from the heat and garnish with fresh lemon zest and additional mandarin orange slices. Allow it to cool slightly before serving.
Top Tips for Perfect Homemade Cranberry Sauce
- Tip: 💦 Rinse Your Cranberries: Rinse fresh cranberries under cold water before cooking.
- Tip: 🍒 Combine the Ingredients: Add the cranberries, orange juice, lemon juice, and coconut sugar to your saucepan.
- 🥄 Keep Stirring: Bring the cranberry sauce to a boil, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- 🫚 Add the Citrus and Ginger: Reduce the heat to low, then add the mandarin orange slices, lemon zest, orange zest, and freshly grated ginger.
- ⏲️ Simmer Until Thickened: Simmer on low for approximately 10 minutes, until the cranberries have popped and the sauce has thickened. Avoid overcooking!
- 🧊 Storage: Let your homemade cranberry sauce cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
- ❄️ Freezing: Cranberry sauce freezes beautifully! Transfer the cooled sauce to a freezer-safe, airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Turkey Chili pairs wonderfully with my homemade cranberry sauce.
Pear and Apple Cider Sangria is a delicious cocktail that will spice up your turkey dinner.
This Charcuterie Board tutorial will impress all your party guests.
📖 Substitutions for Homemade Cranberry Sauce
For Ginger Cranberry Sauce, I use coconut sugar as my sweetener. There are many sugar options below if you don't like the flavor of coconut sugar.
- Honey - Honey makes a wonderful sugar option and yes, this recipe works wonderfully with honey. It mixes and melts well under heat.
- Brown Sugar - Brown sugar can be used and it's very similar to using coconut sugar.
- White Sugar - I prefer to use a natural, un-chemically treated sugar for homemade cranberry sauce. If white sugar is all you have on hand, go for it. Other options to white sugar is organic sugar cane, and natural sugar crystals.
📋Variations
Check out the list below for all the different ways you can eat homemade cranberry sauce.
I love to add mine to sandwiches like my Turkey Slider Recipe.
- Spice- For a major flavor kick, add cloves, star-anise, and cinnamon sticks.
- Savory - Grab your mornig bagel and add some Mandarin Orange Cranberry Sauce to it along with some cream cheese. Yum!
- Kid friendly - Instad of jelly, make the kiddo's PB & J with cranberry sauce and peanut butter.
Equipment for Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce
- Enameled Cast-Iron Skillet: A Le Creuset-style pan is ideal for making homemade cranberry sauce because it distributes heat evenly and helps prevent scorching.
- Stainless Steel Saucepan: A budget-friendly alternative that works just as well. Keep the heat low while simmering and stir occasionally to prevent burning.
- Wooden Spoon or Silicone Spatula: Use to stir the cranberry sauce as the cranberries soften and pop.
Storage Tips for Made from Scratch Cranberry Sauce
Homemade cranberry sauce will store in a glass airtight container for up to 5-days in the refrigerator. It also freezes well, so make a few batches and you will have homemade cranberry for all of your holiday gatherings.
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About Genevieve
Thank you for stopping by Fitty Foodlicious, a website dedicated to sharing lasting, family recipes, anxiety tips and tricks, and healthy spirited mental wellness. Genevieve's recipes have been featured on MSN.com, NewsBreak, Food Talk Daily, Food Gawker, Trivet Recipes, Bartender.com, Health Magazine, Kitchen Aid AU NZ, and has a published Cookbook titled The 5-Ingredient Paleo Cookbook which can be purchased at all major bookstores and on Amazon.
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📖 Recipe
MANDARIN ORANGE GINGER CRANBERRY SAUCE
Ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh cranberries
- 1 tablespoon fresh peeled and grated ginger
- 1 cup orange juice
- 2 cups coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon or pumpkin spice
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 1 cup Mandarin orange slices
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
- Saute the cranberries and orange juice in a pan over medium heat on the stovetop.
- Add the fresh peeled and grated ginger
- Add the lemon juice, Mandarin orange slices, sugar, and cinnamon.
- Saute for 10-15 minutes until the cranberries start to pop open.
- Once the cranberries sauce is thick, remove from heat and top with lemon zest and more mandarin orange slices.
Erika
I've never made homemade cranberry sauce before, but this looks amazing. Need to try!
Genevieve Jerome
Definitely try it and let me know how it turns out. 🙂
Tucker
My mom told me to make cranberry sauce because its easy, I'm like: "dude, I don't own a pan..." found this recipe, made, impressed my mom. THANKS! it's great!!
Genevieve
Hi Tucker! That is so awesome to hear! I'm happy it turned out delicious and thanks for letting me know. Happy Holidays! 🙂
Jessica
What a super festive recipe made 100% from whole foods with zero processed ingredients!
Genevieve Jerome
Thank you! Zero processed ingredients is the way to go! 🙂
Lisa Lotts
This cranberry sauce is so bright and zingy! The citrus adds just the right pop of freshness. So much better than canned!
Genevieve Jerome
Thank you! Love fresh cranberry sauce! This is such an easy recipe too.
Anita
My usual recipe only has orange juice and orange zest, I love your version with the addition of orange slices! It makes the cranberry sauce even more delicious.
Genevieve Jerome
Thank you! Isn't homemade cranberry sauce the best?
Pam
Cannot wait to try this and my daughter-in-law will love me for it as cranberry sauce is her absolute favorite! Thanks, and enjoy that downtime. We all deserve it occasionally.
Genevieve Jerome
Thank you! Please let me know how it turns out. The holiday weekend will be so nice!
Ramona
Isn’t home-made cranberry sauce the best, and this looks absolutely fabulous. Enjoy the holidays!
Pavani N
What a pretty looking cranberry sauce - LOVE the color. Its sounds delicious with the orange and lemon juice. Enjoy your Thanksgiving weekend.
Erin
I Have to admit, even though I love making homemade cranberry sauce I still have a soft spot for the canned stuff!
Monster Foodies
I have always wanted to make homemade cranberry sauce. it looks amazing!
Jess
Never buying store-bought cranberry sauce again!! Homemade is way better.
Genevieve
Yes, Jess! That's the way to do it.
Andrea
This cranberry sauce is bursting with so much flavor. There won't be any leftovers in my house.
Genevieve
Thanks, Andrea I love hearing this. Do let me know how it turns out.
Beth
I love the idea of fresh ginger. As soon as I can get the fresh cranberries I am all over this!
Genevieve
Thanks, Beth! I'm so excited for cranberry season.
Jersey Girl Cooks
I love all the flavors in this cranberry sauce!
Genevieve
Thank you! It's so easy to make.
Emily Flint
I love the ginger and mandarin in this cranberry sauce! Such a nice change from the regular old stuff.
Emily Flint
I love the ginger and mandarin in this sauce! So much better than the old recipes.
Genevieve
Thanks, Emily! I agree, Mandarins are so fun for winter.
Freya
I loved this zesty take on the classic cranberry sauce, it really made it pop and I feel like It’s more versatile too!
Genevieve
Thanks, Freya! It's a zesty dish for sure.
Deborah
This cranberry sauce looks really delicious with the added fresh mandarins and grated ginger. So pretty, too, and perfect for the upcoming holidays!
Genevieve
Thanks, Deborah! Homemade cranberry sauce is such a delight!
Andrea White
such a delicious cranberry sauce! the perfect thanksgiving side!
Genevieve
Thank you, Andrea! I hope you like it.
Amy
I have started my Thanksgiving feast and was looking for a cranberry sauce that I would like. The addition of the ginger is such a great idea. It's on the list!
Genevieve
Thanks, Amy! Please let me know how it turns out.
Linda
Absolutely flavorful! Love the addition of ginger and coconut sugar in this cranberry sauce
Genevieve
Thanks, Linda! It's such a wonderful holiday treat!
Jacqueline Debono
I love cranberry sauce and use it all through the year, especially with poultry, lamb and schnitzel! This version sounds amazing, so full of complimentary flavours. On my to-try list!
Genevieve
That sounds delicious Jacqueline! I love the idea of pairing it with lamb.
Freya
I love how the orange and coconut sugar really elevate this above the usual cranberry sauce! It’s much more versatile too, I love it with potato wedges!!
nancy
adding the mandarin oranges really brighten this recipe uP!
Jeannie
I like how easy it is and ingredients are all fresh produce!
Briana from Texas
I was trying to make a chicken recipe that called for a can of whole cranberry sauce. I didn't have the can, but I did have fresh cranberries and the rest of the ingredients to make this recipe. I am so glad that I did because this is amazing. I think that my chicken dish came out so good because of this homemade cranberry sauce. This sauce definitely made the dish. It's a keeper.
Elizabeth
The combination of flavors for this cranberry sauce is delicious! My family loved this and we will be making it again for the holidays!