This dried cranberry sauce recipe is a quick and easy way to bring rich, tangy flavors to your holiday table. Made with basic ingredients, it’s the perfect addition to any festive meal, from Thanksgiving to Christmas dinner.
Whether you're hosting a large gathering or a cozy family dinner, this easy cranberry sauce will become a pantry staple for your holiday meals.
Why Use Dried Cranberries for Cranberry Sauce?
Let’s be practical—fresh cranberries aren’t available all year round, so it absolutely makes sense to use dried cranberries.
They’re easy to store, have a long shelf life, and their concentrated flavor with natural sweetness means you often need less sugar.
With a little soaking, they transform into a delicious sauce that’s perfect for any time of year, not just the holidays!
Ingredients
- Dried Cranberries: Be sure to use unsweetened cranberries and choose a product that contains only cranberries as the ingredient, without any preservatives or added flavors, to ensure the best taste and quality for your sauce.
- Sugar: You can use brown sugar instead of white sugar for a deeper, richer flavor. Brown sugar will add a slightly richer, molasses-like flavor to the cranberry sauce, giving it a deeper taste. Just use the same amount as you would white sugar
- Orange Juice: Fresh Orange juice adds a burst of citrus flavor that pairs beautifully with cranberries. If you prefer a different flavor, you can substitute cranberry juice for a more intense cranberry taste, or apple juice for a milder, sweeter flavor. Water works fine for a simpler version. If using water it would be a better idea to include 1 tbsp lemon juice.
- Fresh Orange Zest: It brings a bright, citrusy aroma and complements the flavor of the orange juice beautifully.
Print the detailed ingredients list from the recipe card at the end of the post.
Step by Step Instructions
Soak the dried cranberries in orange juice (or water) in a small bowl for 10-15 minutes to soften.
Transfer the soaked cranberries along with the juice, sugar, and a pinch of salt to a medium saucepan.
Stir everything together and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the sugar dissolves.
Let it simmer for 10-12 minutes until the sauce thickens and the cranberries soften (image 1).
Stir in the zest of an orange and lemon juice for extra citrus flavor (image 2).
Mash them slightly or blend the mixture with an immersion blender or regular blender until it resembles a smooth sauce or reaches your desired consistency.
Remove from heat and let the sauce cool to room temperature. Serve immediately or refrigerate for later use.
Enjoy your simple and delicious homemade cranberry sauce!
Storage Instructions:
- Refrigeration:
Once the cranberry sauce has cooled to room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container preferably a mason jar that seals well. Leftover cranberry sauce will stay fresh for up to 1 week. - Freezing:
If you want to store it for a longer period, you can freeze the cranberry sauce. Place it in a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag, and store it for up to 3 months. When ready to use, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and give it a quick stir before serving.
Enjoy your homemade cranberry sauce whenever you need it!
Best Tips
- Soaking the cranberries in orange juice (or water) for 10-15 minutes makes them softer and easier to cook.
- Simmer the sauce just long enough to thicken. Overcooking can diminish the fresh cranberry flavor.
- For best storage, use a glass jar with an airtight lid to keep the sauce fresh for up to a week in the fridge.
- Consider adding warm spices like a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for extra warmth and depth of flavor.
- Feel free to experiment with flavors like vanilla, cinnamon stick, or ginger to make the sauce your own.
Serving Ideas for Dried Cranberry Sauce:
- Thumbprint Cookies:
A great way to use cranberry sauce is by topping thumbprint cookies with it. The tangy sauce adds a burst of flavor to the cookies. - Turkey Sandwich:
Spread cranberry sauce on a turkey sandwich. The tartness of the cranberries pairs perfectly with the savory turkey. - On Toast or Biscuits:
Top warm toast or biscuits with cranberry sauce for a quick, tasty breakfast. - With Roasted Meats:
Cranberry sauce is delicious with roasted turkey, chicken, or duck. Its sweet and tangy flavor complements the meat. - With Cheese:
Serve cranberry sauce alongside cheese. It’s great with soft cheeses like brie or sharp cheddar. - In Wraps or Tacos:
Add cranberry sauce to wraps or tacos for a fresh, tangy twist. - With Grilled Vegetables:
Pair cranberry sauce with grilled vegetables like Brussels sprouts or sweet potatoes for a sweet contrast. - As a Glaze:
Use cranberry sauce as a glaze for grilled meats. It adds a flavorful finish. - On Crackers:
Spread cranberry sauce on crackers, topped with cream cheese or brie, for an easy and delicious snack. - With Bagels – Spread cranberry sauce on toasted bagels for a simple, tangy addition that goes well with cream cheese or even turkey slices for a sandwich. Not only bagels it goes well with ciabatta, focaccia, sandwich bread or even sourdough bread.
These ideas show just how versatile dried cranberry sauce can be, perfect for many dishes!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can reduce or skip the sugar if you prefer a less sweet sauce. You could also try natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup for a different flavor profile.
Yes! You can substitute orange juice with cranberry juice, cherry juice, or apple juice. Each juice will bring its own flavor, so feel free to experiment with what you prefer.
This recipe doesn’t require cornstarch because the dried cranberries naturally thicken the sauce as they soak and cook down. However, if you'd like a thicker consistency, you can simmer the sauce longer or add a small amount of cornstarch slurry.
Related Recipes
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Quick Dried Cranberry Sauce recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup Dried Cranberries
- 1 cup Orange Juice
- 1/4 cup Sugar
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
- Pinch of Salt
- Zest of 1 orange
Instructions
- In a small bowl, soak the dried cranberries in orange juice (or water) for about 10-15 minutes. This step softens the cranberries and helps them absorb the flavors.
- Transfer the soaked cranberries along with the juice into a medium saucepan. Add sugar, lemon juice and a pinch of salt. Stir to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Stir occasionally, ensuring the sugar dissolves completely.
- Let the sauce simmer for about 10-12 minutes, or until it thickens and the cranberries soften.
- Stir in the zest of one orange and lemon juice for added citrus flavor. Continue stirring for a minute.
- You can mash the cranberries with a spoon or use an immersion blender to blend the mixture into a smooth sauce.
- Remove from heat and allow the sauce to cool to room temperature. You can serve it immediately or store it in the refrigerator for later use.
Notes
- Orange juice gives a classic citrusy flavor, but you can experiment with cranberry juice or apple juice for variations. If using water, consider adding lemon juice for extra acidity.
- For a smoother consistency, you can use a food processor or immersion blender to blend the cranberry sauce after simmering.
- This cranberry sauce is perfect for holiday meals like Thanksgiving or Christmas and pairs wonderfully with roasted meats, sandwiches, or even as a topping for baked goods like thumbprint cookies.
- Store any leftover cranberry sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. You can also freeze it for up to three months.
Piper says
This is a good recipe. We substituted 3/4c cranberry juice and 1/4 mango juice (what we had on hand) for the orange juice), by-passed the pre-soak and went straight to simmering all ingredients, then into the blender. Excellent! Thank you!
sushma iyer says
Wow, that sounds like a delicious twist! 😍 I love how you adapted it with what you had on hand. So glad it turned out excellent—thank you for sharing your version!