By Karen 11 Comments
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
Cranberry sauce from dried cranberries is about to be your latest holiday obsession. Forget about that store-bought canned sauce that is full of processed ingredients and make your own homemade cranberry sauce instead. The holiday table this year is going to go crazy for this side dish!
Note: that links to products you find in this post are Amazon affiliate links which means I do make a small amount of money when you click and make purchases.
Everyone knows that cranberries at any holiday table is a must. If you grew up in the land of canned or jellied cranberries, I feel for you - but you can make the change!
The great thing about making this simple holiday sauce with cranberries is that you just need SIX simple ingredients to create it. After all those years of eating cranberry sauce, you’re going to wonder where this recipe has been hiding!
Speaking of delicious cranberry recipes, I’m no stranger to the game. Make sure that you check out my Fresh Cranberry Bars and this delicious Cranberry Mojito or a Cranberry Mimosa.
Jump to:
- Ingredients for cranberry sauce from dried cranberries
- How to Make Cranberry Sauce from Dried Cranberries
- Storage
- Expert Tips and FAQS
- More Holiday Recipes
- Cranberry Sauce from Dried Cranberries
Ingredients for cranberry sauce from dried cranberries
Are you ready to be in awe of the simplicity of this dried cranberry recipe? You probably already have the ingredients ready and waiting in your house!
- Dried cranberries: Make sure that they’re sweetened.
- Cranberry juice: You can pick this up in the juice section at the store.
- Sugar: Needed to make the sauce sweet!
- Zest of one orange: Get a zester to make it as simple as possible.
- Juice from one orange: You can squeeze out the juice of a fresh orange, or buy pre-made orange juice.
- Cornstarch: Helps thicken up the sauce.
See the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients and the quantities of each.
Substitutions
This sauce recipe with dried cranberries recipe is pretty straightforward, but there are a few options that you can use.
- Fresh cranberries: A lot of people actually use fresh cranberries instead of dried ones.
- Flavored Water: Adding water with a citrus taste would be super yummy!
How to Make Cranberry Sauce from Dried Cranberries
Now that you know the ingredients are simple, you can add the easy steps to your radar. In just a few short minutes, you’ll have fresh and delicious cranberry sauce!
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the cranberries, orange zest, orange juice, cranberry juice, and sugar.
- Heat until boiling, stirring often.
- Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes or until the cranberries absorb liquid.
- Create a slurry by whisking together the cornstarch and water.
- Slowly drizzle the slurry into the sauce mixture and cook until the sauce has reached desired thickness.
- Remove from the heat and allow it to cool down before serving. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
Serve it up with all your holiday favorites such as grilled turkey, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole!
Storage
The key to keeping this sauce fresh is that you need to keep it chilled and stored in the fridge.
I recommend storing it in a fresh container with a lid. Make sure that no one dips a spoon into the sauce that they’ve had in their mouths, as this can cause germs and bacteria to spread.
These ingredients don't stand up well to freezing.
Expert Tips and FAQS
- It’s important to whisk the entire time when making the slurry. This creates the correct texture that is needed to create that cranberry sauce look and taste.
- Use freshly squeezed orange juice. Since you need orange zest, it makes sense to also use freshly squeezed juice too. It really has better flavor than a store-bought juice.
- Cook dried cranberries over low heat and watch closely so it doesn't burn.
- Jazz up the presentation with a sprinkle of orange zest over the top of the bowl before serving.
Is eating cranberry sauce healthy?
There are good health benefits that come from eating cranberries! It’s a good fruit to eat in moderation and shows to offer properties that can help fight cancer.
What is the difference between cranberry sauce and cranberry jelly?
While they are similar, there are differences. As a sauce, it can be thick or thin, depending on how it's made. Cranberry jelly is thicker in texture and sometimes is actually made in a mold to hold its shape.
Do you eat cranberry sauce hot or cold?
It's best eaten cold or chilled. You can chill it for a short time or a long time - it’s totally up to you.
What foods pair well with cranberry sauce?
Anything that you have on your holiday table is going to taste so good with. Rolls with cranberry spread on them are delicious!
You can also top your turkey meat with a generous spoon of it, or even just mix your entire plate of goodness together and enjoy with it!
Fair warning - adding this homemade sauce with cranberries is going to steal the show. It’s such a versatile way to easily bring the flavors of the holiday table together!
How do you zest an orange?
Wash the orange really well, and then use your zester to start zesting the orange outer peel. The zest will work quickly and easily, making it super simple for you.
Just rub the zester back and forth. If you start to see white on the orange, just rotate the orange and zest in another spot.
More Holiday Recipes
- Whole Turkey On the Grill
- Green Beans Almondine
- Pumpkin Cream Cheese Pound Cake
- Cranberry Mojito
Did you try this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the recipe card right below!You can alsowrite a review in the comment sectionfurther down the page I always appreciate your feedback. And don’t forget to tag me @freshcoasteats in your photos on social media, I'd love to see your results!
Cranberry Sauce from Dried Cranberries
Cranberry sauce from dried cranberries is about to be your latest holiday obsession. Forget about that canned cranberry sauce that is full of processed ingredients and make your own homemade cranberry sauce instead. The holiday table this year is going to go crazy for this side dish!
5 from 15 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Sauce
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cranberry sauce from dried cranberries
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 151kcal
Author: Karen
Ingredients
- 2 cups dried cranberries sweetened
- 1 ½ cup cranberry juice divided
- ¼ cup sugar
- Zest of one orange About 1-2 Tablespoons
- Juice from one orange about ¼ cup
- 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 4 Tablespoons water
Instructions
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add cranberries, orange zest, orange juice, 1 cup cranberry juice and sugar.
Heat until boiling, stirring often.
Reduce heat to simmer and cook for about 10 minutes or until the cranberries absorb liquid.
Meanwhile, create a slurry by whisking together the corn starch and water.
Slowly drizzle the slurry into the sauce mixture with the remaining ½ cup cranberry juice and cook until the sauce has reached desired thickness.
Remove from heat and allow to cool before serving. Sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
Notes
- It’s important to whisk the entire time when making the slurry. This creates the correct texture that is needed to create that cranberry sauce look and taste.
- Use freshly squeezed orange juice. Since you need orange zest, it makes sense to also use freshly squeezed juice too. It really has better flavor than a store-bought juice.
- Cook dried cranberries over low heat and watch closely so it doesn't burn.
- Jazz up the presentation with a sprinkle of orange zest over the top of the bowl before serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 151kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 0.4g | Saturated Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 69mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 35g | Vitamin A: 40IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 0.3mg
Pin It and Save It for Later!!Mention @FreshCoastEats or tag #freshcoasteats!
« Oat Milk Hot Chocolate
Polar Bear Paw Cookies »
Reader Interactions
Comments
Kelly says
I am definitely saving this recipe for the holidays. I love the idea of using dried cranberries as I always have them on hand! I love the fresh orange zest garnish too! Thanks for sharing the recipe!Carol says
Thank you so much for this! I really wanted cranberry sauce for a dinner I was making but couldn't find fresh or frozen whole berries. I had no idea where to start with making it from dried. This recipe was really good and worked perfectly. It wasn't too sweet and the dried berries softened up nicely. Will definitely save this recipe.Nancy says
Delicious! I have to admit- I was hesitant but it turned out so soft and had a really great flavor.Keri says
I had no idea you could make cranberry sauce from dried cranberries. Saved!Nancy says
Amazing simply recipe and perfect for my holiday cooking needs. Thanks for the tips to nail it on my first tryAndrea says
this is going to be so perfect for thanksgiving this year! so excited to whip up this cranberry sauce!Megan says
Great flavor and so easy. The orange with the cranberries is awesome. Thanks for a great recipe.Jc says
I would have never thought to make this with dried cranberries . Fabulous! Thank you!Alex says
Fresh cranberries are not easy to come by here, and this dried cranberry option is just perfect! It will be featuring on our festive table this year and for many years to come - perfect balance of flavours.Jenny says
I always have a bag of dried cranberries in my pantry so I whipped this up to serve with our roast chicken dinner. I wish I had found this recipe sooner because the flavor was outstanding and so much better than the canned version! I'll be making your cranberry sauce again for Thanksgiving. Thank you!Karen says
So glad you loved it!
Leave a Reply
I'm Karen, a seasoned culinary enthusiast with a deep understanding of creating delightful dishes. My expertise extends to crafting recipes that not only tantalize the taste buds but also elevate the dining experience. As evidenced by my culinary blog and extensive following, my commitment to quality and creativity in the kitchen is apparent.
Now, let's delve into the details of the article about making cranberry sauce from dried cranberries, published on October 17, 2022.
Cranberry Sauce from Dried Cranberries: Unraveling the Culinary Delight
Ingredients:
The article emphasizes the simplicity of the recipe, requiring only six readily available ingredients:
- Dried Cranberries: Ensure they are sweetened.
- Cranberry Juice: Found in the juice section of the store.
- Sugar: Essential for sweetness.
- Zest of One Orange: Utilize a zester for simplicity.
- Juice from One Orange: Freshly squeezed or store-bought.
- Cornstarch: Used for thickening.
Substitutions:
The recipe allows for some flexibility with these alternatives:
- Fresh Cranberries: An option for those preferring fresh over dried.
- Flavored Water: Introducing water with a citrus taste for added flavor.
Cooking Instructions:
The step-by-step guide ensures a hassle-free cooking experience:
- Combine cranberries, orange zest, orange juice, cranberry juice, and sugar in a saucepan.
- Heat until boiling, stirring frequently.
- Reduce heat to simmer and cook until cranberries absorb liquid.
- Create a slurry by whisking cornstarch and water.
- Slowly incorporate the slurry into the sauce mixture, cooking until desired thickness.
- Remove from heat, allow to cool; the sauce thickens further as it cools.
Storage:
Emphasizes the importance of keeping the sauce chilled in the fridge for freshness. Recommends using a container with a lid to prevent contamination.
Expert Tips:
- Stresses the need to whisk continuously when making the slurry for the correct texture.
- Advocates for using freshly squeezed orange juice for superior flavor.
- Cautions against burning dried cranberries by cooking them over low heat and monitoring closely.
- Suggests enhancing presentation with a sprinkle of orange zest before serving.
FAQs:
- Health Benefits: Highlights the positive health aspects of cranberries, mentioning their potential in fighting cancer.
- Difference Between Sauce and Jelly: Explains that sauce can vary in thickness, while jelly is generally thicker and molded.
- Serving Temperature: Recommends serving cranberry sauce cold or chilled.
- Pairings: Encourages pairing with various holiday dishes such as turkey, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole.
Conclusion:
The article concludes by expressing the versatility of homemade cranberry sauce in bringing together the flavors of the holiday table. It anticipates that this recipe, using dried cranberries, will be a standout addition to festive meals.
For those seeking a delightful and unique cranberry sauce experience, this recipe offers a fresh perspective, making it a must-try for holiday gatherings.
