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Joanna Gaines Holiday Cranberry Sauce

Joanna Gaines holiday cranberry sauce—chunky, glossy, and thickened by simmering fresh cranberries with orange juice and warm spices. Finish with bright orange zest and crunchy toasted pecans just before serving.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 230
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cranberry sauce base
  • 12 oz fresh cranberries Fresh berries give the best burst and texture.
  • 0.5 cup sugar
  • 0.5 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 1 tsp orange zest Stir in after removing from heat to keep it bright.
  • 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 0.25 tsp ground ginger
  • 0.125 tsp salt Use a pinch; it balances the tart cranberries.
  • 0.5 cup pecans, toasted and chopped Add right before serving to stay crunchy.

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Cook the cranberry sauce
  1. In a saucepan, combine sugar, brown sugar, orange juice, cinnamon, ginger, and salt, then heat until the mixture reaches a full boil with visible bubbles. (No higher than a steady boil; you should see rolling bubbles across the surface.)
  2. Add the fresh cranberries and reduce to a simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the berries burst and the sauce visibly thickens and looks glossy. (Visual cue: most cranberries split open and the spoon leaves a brief trail.)
Finish, cool, and chill
  1. Remove the saucepan from the heat, then stir in the orange zest until it is evenly distributed. (Visual cue: you should see small orange flecks throughout the sauce.)
  2. Let the sauce cool to room temperature, then chill until serving so it firms up slightly. (Visual cue: it thickens more as it cools and holds shape when spooned.)
  3. Just before serving, stir in the toasted and chopped pecans to keep them crunchy. (Visual cue: pecan pieces stay distinct and do not disappear into the sauce.)

Notes

Pro tip: simmer until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, since it will continue to set as it chills. Refrigerate in a covered container for up to 5 days; freeze? No, freezing can soften the texture of the cranberries and pecans. Dietary swap: for a lower-sugar option, use a 1:1 sugar substitute blend designed for cooking and thickening.