Barley Free Fresh Orange Cranberry Sauce
Bright, tangy, and just sweet enough, this cranberry sauce comes together with a handful of real ingredients and zero fuss. Fresh orange juice and zest give it a citrusy lift that makes the whole thing taste alive, while a whisper of cinnamon adds warmth without overpowering the fruit. Canned versions often sneak in thickeners, stabilizers, or grain-derived additives that can be hard to spot on a label — making a homemade batch the smartest move for anyone navigating barley or other grain sensitivities. Every ingredient here is naturally grain-free: cranberries, sugar, fresh orange, and an optional pinch of spice. The sauce thickens beautifully on its own as it cools, so there's no need for any starch or filler to get that perfect, spoonable consistency. It works as a classic holiday condiment, a topping for roasted meats, or even stirred into yogurt for something a little unexpected. Make a batch ahead and refrigerate it — it only gets better as the flavors settle.
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Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
- 1 bag (12 oz) fresh or frozen cranberries
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup fresh orange juice (from about 1 large orange)
- 1 tbsp orange zest (from about 1 large orange)
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the cranberries, sugar, orange juice, and orange zest in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
- 2
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and 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.
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