Cranberry Sauce (using Dried Cranberries)

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Sweet yet tart and ready in just a few minutes, this Cranberry Sauce with Dried Cranberries is a must for your holiday table.

The tartness of the cranberries and the hint of orange flavor make for the best cranberry sauce recipe you’ll find this holiday season.

There is no need to worry about finding fresh cranberries, as this cranberry sauce uses dried cranberries year-round for a delicious homemade cranberry sauce. 

Last Thanksgiving, I found myself in a cranberry crisis. I had already used up all the fresh cranberries I’d purchased in other recipes, only to realize my guests were eagerly expecting cranberry sauce! With no time to run to the store but a pantry stocked with dried cranberries, I had to get creative—and that’s how this new recipe was born. It turned out to be such a hit, I’ve decided to make it a family tradition. Plus it’s so good the next day over cream cheese!

Looking for more holiday inspiration? Try my broccoli salad with bacon, mandarin orange jello salad, and this cozy roasted sweet potatoes recipe—all guaranteed to bring festive flavor to your table!

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Easy – Simplify your holiday dish preparations with easy-breezy craisin cranberry sauce. One less complicated recipe to think about!
• Basic ingredients – No need to pick up loads of ingredients to make this cranberry sauce. You might have most of the ingredients in your pantry.
• Flavor – This flexible recipe allows you to adjust the spices and sugar content to your liking.
• Change of pace – Instead of using traditional cranberry sauce from a can, this easy sauce is a great option. Plus, it’s so beautiful to serve!

So, in a nutshell, easy prep, flavor, texture, color, and convenience are key reasons homemade cranberry sauce with sweet dried craisins is so lovable.

Ingredients to make cranberry sauce

• Craisins – Craisins or any brand of dried cranberries will work in this easy recipe.
• Maple Syrup – Choose pure maple syrup and not table syrup or maple-flavored syrup.
• Orange Zest – Zest the orange peel from one whole orange. You could also substitute lemon zest or lemon juice.
• Orange Juice – Freshly squeezed orange juice is best, but the kind from the freezer or refrigerator sections works great, too.
• Water – You can substitute cranberry juice, but the water gives the sauce just the right sweetness.
• Cinnamon Stick – Cinnamon sticks are better than powdered cinnamon as the stick is used just for simmering. If you don’t have a stick, use ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon.

How to make cranberry sauce with dried cranberries

Step 1: Add craisins, orange zest, maple syrup, orange juice, water, and a cinnamon stick to a small saucepan. Stir to mix the ingredients.

Step 2: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently. Once boiling, reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered for 15 – 20 minutes. The craisins will become plump and soft.

Step 3: Remove from the heat and discard the cinnamon stick.

Step 4: Carefully blend into a smooth sauce using a blender or an immersion hand blender. The sauce will thicken as it cools.

FAQs

How long does cranberry sauce last

Make ahead: Cranberry sauce can be made ahead and kept in an airtight container, such as a mason jar or jelly jar, in the fridge for up to 10 days.

Freeze: Fresh cranberry sauce freezes well. Leftover cranberry sauce can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Thaw: Thaw frozen cranberry sauce in the fridge overnight and then serve at room temperature. Alternatively, you can place the container of cranberry sauce in a bowl of cold water to defrost.

Tips for making cranberry sauce with craisins

• This recipe uses sweetened dried cranberries. If you prefer a more tart sauce, you can use unsweetened.
• You can substitute brown or granulated sugar if you don’t have maple syrup.
• You can use a food processor instead of a blender to puree this delicious cranberry sauce. 
• Make a double batch, and use a medium saucepan so you have leftovers to freeze for another day. 

Ways to serve cranberry sauce

Here are some of the tastiest ways to eat cranberry sauce and enjoy its tart, fruity flavor:

• On turkey or ham sandwiches – A classic! Spread cranberry sauce on bread or rolls with sliced turkey and ham for a tasty lunch.
• Scooped with biscuits or scones – Dollop a bit of cranberry sauce onto warm biscuits, scones or muffins.
• Pancakes or waffles topper – Drizzle cranberry sauce over pancakes, waffles or french toast. Delicious!
• Cheese board pairing – Set out creamy brie or chèvre and sharp cheddar cheeses with cranberry sauce for contrast.
• Spoon over oatmeal – Stir a spoonful of cranberry sauce into your morning bowl of oatmeal for extra fruit flavor.
• Salad accent – Toss dried cranberries or cranberry sauce over grain- or spinach-based salads for a burst of flavor and color.
• Ice cream or yogurt parfait – Eat cranberry sauce alongside ice cream, yogurt or rice pudding for a perfectly balanced flavor.

Get creative and try baking it into goods like scones or muffins, blending it into smoothies, or folding it into cream cheese spreads, too!

Variations

Variations of the classic cranberry sauce can add a unique twist to your holiday spread. Here are a few ideas:

1. Add Spices: Spice things up by adding cloves or a dash of nutmeg to the cranberry sauce. This creates a warm and aromatic flavor, perfect for the festive season.
2. Ginger: Introduce a hint of ginger to your cranberry sauce for a slightly spicy and refreshing kick. Freshly grated ginger or ginger juice can bring a delightful warmth to the sauce.
3. Pomegranate: Combine the rich flavors of pomegranate seeds with cranberries for a sauce that’s not only visually stunning but also boasts a unique blend of sweet and tart flavors.
4. Balsamic: Elevate your cranberry sauce by adding a splash of balsamic vinegar. This enhances the tartness and contributes a rich, complex flavor to the sauce.
5. Cranberry-Apple: Combine the classic pairing of cranberries and apples for a sweet and tart sauce.
6. Add nuts: Create a chutney-like consistency by adding chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts.

Feel free to get creative and tailor these ideas to your taste preferences.

More condiment recipes

• Cranberry Simple Syrup
• Honey Mustard Dressing
• Honey Bourbon BBQ Sauce
• Steakhouse Blue Cheese Dressing

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