This Easy Grand Marnier Cranberry Sauce is homemade, sweetened with liquor (liqueur), and then sprinkled with orange zest. Switch up your normal sauce for this gourmet version!
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FOR THE FULL LIST OF INGREDIENTS AND COMPREHENSIVE INSTRUCTIONS, PLEASE SEE THE RECIPE CARD AT THE END OF THIS POST. BEFORE YOU SCROLL, THERE’S IMPORTANT INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG POST.
Every now and then I like to switch things up for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the holidays. I love to add a new twist to our favorite classic side dishes. This sauce recipe is a great way to jazz up your normal sauce!
How Does Grand Marnier Taste?
It’s an orange liqueur. It’s made in France and is 40% ABV. It’s alcoholic, made with cognac and sweetened and flavored with orange. It has sweet orange flavors with hints of vanilla undertones.
How Does the Sauce Taste?
When you add Grand Marnier to the mix here, you get cranberry sauce with a subtle orange flavor. Cranberries are very tart. You will need to determine how sweet you like your cranberry sauce. I prefer a middle ground and the suggested sugar and sweetener in this recipe reflects that.
Add more sugar or sweetener if you are looking for a sweet sauce. Taste repeatedly until you get it right.
How to Make Grand Marnier Cranberry Sauce
- Heat a saucepan or Dutch oven on medium-high heat and add cranberries, sweetener, orange juice, honey, and cinnamon. Stir.
- Reduce the heat to low and add in the Grand Marnier. Cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring every couple of minutes.
- Allow the cranberry sauce to cool to room temperature. Refrigerate (covered) until chilled.
- I like to sprinkle it with orange zest prior to serving.
Does the Alcohol Cook Out When Making the Cranberry Sauce
The heat while cooking this dish will burn off 60-70% of the alcohol used. You will still have some alcohol left after cooking.
Can You Make it Ahead? How Long Will it Last in the Fridge?
You can definitely make this ahead for gatherings and events! It will last sealed and stored in the fridge for up to a week.
Freezer Tips
I love to freeze cranberry sauce! It makes it so easy to grab just a small serving for Sunday dinners and specials meals. Store it tightly sealed in the freezer for 3-4 months. You can thaw the sauce overnight in the fridge or on the counter.
You can also make this using an Instant Pot, refer to my Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce recipe.
Pair the Sauce with these Side Dishes
Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
Southern Mustard Greens
Air Fryer Cornbread
Southern Baked Mac and Cheese
Instant Pot Southern Green Beans
Instant Pot Collard Greens
Instant Pot Cabbage
Fried Cabbage
Okra and Tomatoes
Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas
Main Dish Recipes
Air Fryer Turkey
Air Fryer Baked Ham
Instant Pot Brisket
Air Fryer Whole Chicken
Easy Grand Marnier Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat a saucepan or Dutch oven on medium-high heat and add the cranberries, sweetener, orange juice, honey, and cinnamon. Stir.
- Reduce the heat to low and add in the Grand Marnier. Cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring every couple of minutes.
- Cook time will vary based on how you like your sauce. I like for my cranberries to cook down, pop, and form a sauce. Some like to serve their cranberry sauce with the cranberries intact. It's up to you. I usually simmer the sauce for at least 15 minutes
- Allow the cranberry sauce to cool to room temperature. Refrigerate (covered) until chilled.
- I like to sprinkle it with orange zest prior to serving.
Video
Notes
- Feel free to taste the sauce repeatedly and adjust to taste for sweetener.
- Add more or use less Grand Marnier, whatever suits your preference.
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