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Joanna Gaines Holiday Cranberry Sauce

Joanna Gaines holiday cranberry sauce simmers fresh cranberries with orange juice and zest until most berries burst and the sauce thickens. Serve it at room temperature or chill it for a bright, tangy holiday side.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Cooling 30 minutes
Total Time 53 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 55
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.5 cup water
  • 0.5 cup orange juice
  • 1 tsp orange zest finely grated
  • 1 bag (12 oz) fresh cranberries rinsed and picked over

Equipment

  • 1 3-quart saucepan

Method
 

  1. In a 3-quart saucepan, combine the sugar, water, orange juice, and orange zest over medium heat; stir for 2 to 3 minutes, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture comes to a simmer.
  2. Add the cranberries and bring the mixture back to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most of the cranberries have burst and the sauce has thickened.
  3. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the sauce cool for at least 30 minutes; serve at room temperature or refrigerate until chilled.

Notes

For the best texture, avoid cooking until every cranberry has burst; the sauce thickens as it cools. Refrigerate for up to 10 days or freeze for up to 2 months. No dietary swap is needed for a naturally gluten-free, dairy-free sauce.