Cranberry Tangy Sweet Compote (Printable)

Bright, tangy cranberry blend with citrus and cinnamon, perfect for enhancing desserts and savory dishes.

# What You'll Need:

01 - 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries

02 - ½ cup granulated sugar

03 - ¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice

04 - ¼ cup water

05 - 1 tsp orange zest (from 1 orange)

06 - ½ tsp ground cinnamon (optional)

07 - Pinch of salt

01 - Rinse cranberries thoroughly and discard any soft or damaged berries.

02 - In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, orange juice, water, orange zest, cinnamon if using, and salt.

03 - Place saucepan over medium-high heat and bring mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally.

04 - Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cranberries burst and mixture thickens.

05 - Remove saucepan from heat and allow compote to cool to room temperature; the texture will thicken as it cools.

06 - Transfer compote to a bowl or container and serve chilled or at room temperature.

01 -

This compote is like a secret weapon in your kitchen that brightens up everything from pancakes to roasted meats
The balance of tartness and natural sweetness makes it a favorite that feels homemade yet special

02 -

Don’t rush the simmering step—it’s when the cranberries burst and that gorgeous natural sweetness develops
Adding orange zest right at the beginning infuses the whole compote, but too much zest can overpower if you’re not careful

03 -

Use a wooden spoon to stir; it’s gentler and helps you keep track of the compote’s texture better
The secret to perfect thickness is letting it cool completely before serving or storing