Joanna Gaines’ Holiday Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Introduction

This holiday cranberry sauce is a vibrant and tangy addition to your festive meal. With fresh cranberries, zesty orange, and warm cinnamon, it brings a perfect balance of flavors that complement any holiday table.

A close-up of a white ceramic bowl filled with a thick, glossy red sauce that has a chunky texture with visible pieces of fruit or berries spread evenly on the top layer. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface that adds a clean and simple background to highlight the rich color and texture of the sauce. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 3 cups fresh cranberries
  • 1 cup fresh orange juice
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 tablespoon grated orange zest

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, orange juice, sugar, cinnamon stick, and orange zest.
  2. Step 2: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Then reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened and bubbly, about 3 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Remove from heat and let cool. Once cooled, remove the cinnamon stick and refrigerate for 2 hours and 30 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Serve the cranberry sauce chilled alongside your favorite holiday dishes.

Tips & Variations

  • For a spicier kick, add a pinch of ground cloves or nutmeg while cooking.
  • Use fresh orange zest for the best citrus flavor, and avoid the white pith which is bitter.
  • If you prefer a smoother sauce, pulse it briefly in a food processor after cooking.

Storage

Store the cranberry sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for 4 to 5 days. Reheat gently if you prefer it warm or serve chilled as intended.

How to Serve

A gray cooking pot sits on a white marbled texture, filled with layers of ingredients. The bottom layer is a light yellow liquid, partially covering many whole, shiny dark red cranberries arranged unevenly. On top at the center, there is a mound of white granulated sugar with small bits of bright orange zest scattered across it. Sitting diagonally on the sugar mound, a single brown cinnamon stick rests above a small pile of finely grated orange zest. The pot handle extends toward the bottom right, made of shiny silver metal reflecting light. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen cranberries for this recipe?

Yes, frozen cranberries can be used. Thaw them before cooking for best results.

Can I make this cranberry sauce ahead of time?

Absolutely. Making it a day ahead allows the flavors to meld beautifully, and it stays fresh in the refrigerator for several days.

Print

Joanna Gaines’ Holiday Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Joanna Gaines’ Holiday Cranberry Sauce is a vibrant, tangy, and sweet condiment perfect for festive meals. Made with fresh cranberries, fresh orange juice and zest, sugar, and warm cinnamon, this sauce is quickly cooked on the stovetop until thickened, then chilled to develop its rich flavors. It’s a simple and classic holiday staple that brightens up any turkey dinner or seasonal spread.

  • Author: lina
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
  • Yield: About 2 cups 1x
  • Category: Sauce
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

  • 3 cups fresh cranberries
  • 1 cup fresh orange juice
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 tablespoon grated orange zest

Instructions

  1. Combine ingredients: In a medium saucepan, add the cranberries, fresh orange juice, sugar, cinnamon stick, and grated orange zest, ensuring all ingredients are evenly distributed.
  2. Cook the sauce: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and stir constantly for about 3 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes bubbly.
  3. Cool and chill: Remove the saucepan from heat and let the cranberry sauce cool to room temperature. Once cooled, take out the cinnamon stick and transfer the sauce to a container. Refrigerate for 2 hours and 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the sauce to set.
  4. Serve and store: Serve the cranberry sauce chilled as a holiday condiment. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 to 5 days.

Notes

  • Use fresh cranberries for the best texture and flavor; frozen can be used but may alter texture slightly.
  • Stir constantly during cooking to prevent burning and ensure even thickening.
  • Refrigerate the sauce fully before serving to allow flavors to develop and the sauce to thicken properly.
  • Can be prepared a day or two in advance for convenience.

Keywords: cranberry sauce, holiday sauce, Thanksgiving, Christmas condiment, Joanna Gaines recipes, fresh cranberry sauce, orange cranberry sauce, stovetop sauce

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