Pioneer Woman Cranberry Sauce Recipe
The Pioneer Woman Cranberry Sauce Recipe is sweet, tangy and full of fresh flavor. It is perfect for holiday meals.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh cranberries
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup orange juice freshly squeezed is best
- 1 teaspoon orange zest optional
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
Prepare the Cranberries
- Rinse cranberries under cold water. Remove any stems or soft berries. Pat them dry with paper towels. This ensures only fresh, firm cranberries go into the sauce.
Combine Sugar and Liquid
- In a medium saucepan, add sugar, water and orange juice. Stir to combine. Heat over medium heat until sugar dissolves completely and liquid is warm.
Cook the Cranberries
- Add cranberries to the pan. Stir to coat them in the sweet mixture. Cook over medium heat until berries start to pop. This usually takes about 8–10 minutes.
Add Orange Zest and Salt
- Add orange zest and salt. Stir gently. Continue cooking for 2–3 more minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
Cool the Sauce
- Remove saucepan from heat. Let cranberry sauce cool to room temperature. It will thicken more as it cools. Transfer to a serving dish before serving.
Serve and Enjoy
- Serve cold or at room temperature. This cranberry sauce complements turkey, chicken or ham. Garnish with a few fresh cranberries or orange slices for presentation.
Notes
- Use fresh cranberries for the best flavor.
- Stir constantly to prevent burning.
- For extra flavor, add a cinnamon stick while cooking.
- Orange juice adds brightness; lemon juice can be a substitute.
- Sauce can be made a day ahead for convenience.