Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and for many, the holiday feast isn’t complete without a vibrant and tangy cranberry sauce. This year, skip the canned stuff and elevate your Thanksgiving spread with a homemade cranberry sauce recipe inspired by the queen of home cooking herself, The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond. Her easy cranberry sauce recipe is not only incredibly simple to make but also bursting with fresh flavors that will impress your guests.
Ree Drummond, beloved for her approachable and delicious recipes, has truly outdone herself with this cranberry sauce. Taken from her cookbook, The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays, this recipe emphasizes fresh ingredients and straightforward steps, making it perfect for both seasoned cooks and kitchen novices. Forget complicated recipes; this one is all about simplicity and maximum flavor, ensuring your Thanksgiving prep remains stress-free and enjoyable.
Why This Pioneer Woman Cranberry Sauce Recipe is a Must-Try
What sets this cranberry sauce apart? It’s the perfect balance of tartness and sweetness, achieved with fresh cranberries, zesty oranges, and pure maple syrup. Unlike overly sweet, gelatinous canned sauces, this homemade version offers a bright, natural flavor that complements the richness of your Thanksgiving turkey and sides. Plus, the aroma of simmering cranberries and oranges filling your kitchen is an instant mood booster, setting the perfect festive tone.
Furthermore, making your own cranberry sauce allows for customization. Want it sweeter? Add a touch more maple syrup. Prefer a hint of spice? A pinch of cinnamon or cloves can be stirred in. This recipe serves as a fantastic base, allowing you to tailor it to your family’s preferences. And the best part? It can be made ahead of time, freeing up valuable cooking time on Thanksgiving Day itself.
Ree Drummond’s Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe
This recipe is adapted from The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays and is incredibly easy to follow.
Ingredients:
- One 12-ounce bag fresh cranberries
- 2 large oranges
- 1 cup pure maple syrup
Instructions:
- Begin by rinsing the fresh cranberries under cold water. This step ensures they are clean and ready to be cooked.
- Zest both oranges using a zester or grater. Orange zest adds a beautiful aromatic depth to the cranberry sauce. Set the zest aside.
- Juice both oranges. You should get about 1/2 cup of fresh orange juice.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed cranberries and the orange zest.
- Pour the fresh orange juice into the saucepan, over the cranberries and zest.
- Add 1 cup of pure maple syrup to the mixture. Maple syrup not only sweetens the sauce but also adds a warm, nuanced flavor that complements the cranberries perfectly.
- Stir all the ingredients together in the saucepan to ensure everything is well combined.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low.
- Simmer the cranberry sauce for 10 to 15 minutes, or until it thickens to your desired consistency. If you prefer a thicker sauce, simply simmer for a longer period.
- Once the sauce has thickened, transfer it to a serving dish.
- Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Chilling the sauce allows it to set properly and enhances the flavors. The cranberry sauce can be made up to 2 days in advance, making your Thanksgiving meal prep much easier.
Tips for the Best Cranberry Sauce
- Adjust Sweetness: Taste the sauce while it’s simmering and adjust the amount of maple syrup to your liking. You can add more for a sweeter sauce or a squeeze of lemon juice for extra tartness.
- Spice it Up: For a warmer, more festive flavor profile, add a pinch of ground cinnamon, cloves, or nutmeg while the sauce simmers.
- Add Zest: Don’t skip the orange zest! It’s crucial for adding brightness and complexity to the sauce.
- Make Ahead: Cranberry sauce is a fantastic make-ahead dish. It actually tastes better after the flavors have had time to meld in the refrigerator.
- Freezing for Later: Like the original author, you can freeze cranberry sauce for up to a month. Defrost it in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
- Serving Suggestions: Cranberry sauce is traditionally served as a side dish with Thanksgiving turkey, but it’s also delicious with roasted chicken, pork, or even as a spread for sandwiches.
Conclusion
This Pioneer Woman Cranberry Sauce Recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Its simplicity, combined with fresh, vibrant flavors, makes it a standout side dish for any Thanksgiving celebration. Ditch the canned cranberry sauce this year and embrace the homemade goodness of Ree Drummond’s recipe. Your taste buds – and your guests – will thank you! Enjoy the process of creating this Thanksgiving staple and the delicious results it brings to your holiday table.
