Nutmeg Free Cranberry Sauce with Orange & Ginger
Bright, tangy, and just sweet enough, this cranberry sauce gets its warmth from fresh ginger and a whisper of cinnamon rather than the usual spice cabinet suspects. That matters more than you might think — so many store-bought and homemade cranberry sauce recipes lean on nutmeg as a default, and it can be genuinely tricky to find a version that skips it entirely without sacrificing depth of flavor. Here, the combination of fresh orange juice, orange zest, and finely grated ginger does all the heavy lifting, delivering a sauce that feels festive and complex without a trace of that problematic spice. The honey adds a gentle, floral sweetness that plays beautifully against the tartness of the cranberries as they burst and thicken in the pan. A pinch of turmeric gives the sauce a subtle golden warmth and a gorgeous color that looks stunning on any holiday table. It comes together in one saucepan and chills down to a perfectly spoonable consistency, making it an easy make-ahead win for busy cooking days.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
- 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries
- ½ cup fresh orange juice (from about 2 medium oranges)
- 1 tsp orange zest
- ¼ cup water
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- ⅛ tsp ground turmeric
- 1 pinch salt
- ¼ tsp pure vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the cranberries, orange juice, water, honey, grated ginger, ground cinnamon, turmeric, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir to combine.
- 2
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10–12 minutes, until most of the cranberries have burst and the sauce has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!