Forget the mushy, one-note cranberry sauce of your childhood. This year, unleash the flavors that fresh ginger, juicy oranges, and a touch of Grand Marnier can create. This Orange Ginger Cranberry Sauce recipe is your ticket to holiday side dish stardom – a dazzlingly bright sauce that elevates your turkey, compliments cheese platters, and leaves you wondering why you ever settled for store-bought.

Why this Orange Ginger Cranberry Sauce recipe is your new holiday MVP
- Fresh, vibrant flavors: Ditch the artificial sweetness and embrace the zing of real ginger and orange zest. Every bite is a burst of sunshine!
- A touch of luxury: Grand Marnier adds a sophisticated depth that sets this sauce apart. It’s like inviting a fancy French cousin to your Thanksgiving table.
- Easy to make, impressive to serve: This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, yet looks and tastes like you spent hours perfecting it. Bonus points for the festive orange hue!
- Surprisingly versatile: This sauce is not just for turkey! Use it to glaze pork or chicken, dollop it on cheese platters, or even drizzle it on pancakes for a decadent breakfast treat.

Ready to get your orange-ginger on? Here’s what you need:
- Cranberries
- Orange Juice
- Grated fresh ginger (don’t be shy!)
- Sugar (or honey, for a touch of floral sweetness)
- Grand Marnier (or orange liqueur, if you’re feeling thrifty)
- A pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg (optional, but oh-so-cozy)
This Orange Ginger Cranberry Sauce recipe easily serves 15 people, but you can half it for smaller gatherings. I feel that if you’re going to take the time to make it, you might as well have plenty of leftovers!
The magic of this Orange Ginger Cranberry Sauce happens in 3 simple steps:
- To begin, you’ll heat the cranberries, orange juice, sugar and water in a medium pot until it comes to a boil. You want to stir continuously until the sugar dissolves.
- Next, add the minced ginger and salt, and lower the heat. Continue stirring for about 5 minutes, until the mixture thickens.
- Finally, remove the pan from the heat, stir in the Grand Marnier, and place in a serving bowl. Refrigerate 2-3 hours so it gets nice and chilled before serving with your holiday turkey!
More Holiday Recipes
If you enjoy this recipe for cranberry relish, be sure to try my:
- Holiday Brined Turkey
- Green Bean Casserole From Scratch
- Garlic Mashed Potato
- Roasted Garlic Potatoes
- Creamed Spinach
🍽️ Ready for more Chef Tips?
If you make this recipe, please leave me a comment and rating with a ❤️ or ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. You can also find me on Instagram, X, Facebook or Tik Tok. Finally, be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel for video demonstrations of more than 300 recipes! I’ll guide you through each step, sharing tips and tricks, and insider secrets gleaned from the chefs around the world. Let’s embark on more delicious adventures together!
Orange Ginger Cranberry Sauce
Recipe by Jason Hill – CookingSessions.comIngredients
- 1 1/2 pounds fresh cranberries
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger root
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons Grand Marnier orange liqueur
Instructions
- To begin, heat the cranberries, orange juice, sugar and water in a medium pot until it comes to a boil. You want to stir continuously until the sugar dissolves.
- Next, add the minced ginger and salt, and lower the heat. Continue stirring for about 5 minutes, until the mixture thickens.
- Finally, remove the pan from the heat, stir in the grand mariner, and place in a serving bowl.
- Refrigerate 2-3 hours so it gets nice and chilled before serving with your holiday turkey!