Making a dried cranberry sauce recipe is so simple, it's surprising. Making a traditional cranberry sauce with dried cranberries I would never have thought possible. This recipe will show you how, a deliciously sweet and tangy Thanksgiving sauce everyone will love.
Traditionally, cranberry sauce is made in the fall and for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner, for the Holiday table. Owing to the fact that this recipe uses dried cranberries instead of fresh allows it to be made year round.
Should you wish it.
If your family is like mine, we make baked chicken and mashed potatoes on a regular occurrence, any time of year, so adding a little cranberry sauce here and there is easy with this recipe.
Jump to:
- What makes this recipe so yummy
- Groceries you'll need: Ingredients
- Recipe walkthrough: Instructions
- Recipe variations and substitute ideas
- Necessary gear: Equipment
- More Thanksgiving recipes I think you'll love
- How to store leftovers
- Mel's kitchen notes
- Frequently asked questions: FAQs
- Dried Cranberry Sauce Recipe
- 💬 Comments
What makes this recipe so yummy
- You don't have to rely on the availability of fresh cranberries. Using dried cranberries you can make this recipe year round.
- You're not on a time limit to get it made before the cranberries spoil.
- This dried cranberry sauce actually tastes just as good, if not better, than the fresh version. The cranberries have a sweeter flavor.
- It's a really easy recipe.
- What Thanksgiving dinner is complete without a delicious homemade cranberry sauce?
Groceries you'll need: Ingredients
- Dried Cranberries
- Orange Zest
- Cranberry Juice
- Brown Sugar
- Granulated Sugar
- Cornstarch
- Water
- Salt
See recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities.
Recipe walkthrough: Instructions
This is an overview of the recipe steps. For more detailed instructions visit the recipe card at the bottom of this post
- Step 1: Combine cranberries with the cranberry juice, orange zest, salt and sugars to a small saucepan on your stove. Apply medium-high heat to bring to a boil.
- Step 2: Turn down the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Step 3: Add the lid to the pot and simmer another 5 minutes.
- Step 4: Mix the cold water and cornstarch together then add to the cranberry mixture. Stir and simmer another minute.
- Step 5: Serve room temperature with a sprinkle of orange zest.
Hint: The dried cranberries naturally are sweetened and so this sauce already is quite sweet. If you prefer to leave out the granulated sugar, or are concerned about the sugar content then reduce it. It's up to you.
Recipe variations and substitute ideas
- Orange Juice - You could add a little more pep to the sauce by adding a little of the juice from the orange you zested.
- Lemon Juice - to add a little tartness.
- Maple Syrup - for sweetness.
- Cinnamon Stick - for an extra flavor dimension.
- Apple Juice - in place of cranberry juice, or you could have a mixture.
- Orange Liqueur - jazz it up and add some liqueur to your sauce.
- Orange Cranberry Sauce
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Necessary gear: Equipment
The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
All that's needed is a small pot, an orange zester and a serving dish for the dried cranberry sauce.
I have some links in the recipe card below, for inspiration.
More Thanksgiving recipes I think you'll love
- Cajun Rice Dressing
- Jiffy Corn Casserole in the Crock Pot
- Cranberry Salad
- Air Fryer Green Bean Casserole
- Cracker Barrel Fried Apples
- Apple Cranberry Salad
- Southern Black Eyed Peas and Collard Greens
- Stuffed Garlic Bread
- Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole
- Cranberry Apple Rice Pilaf
- Baked Oyster Dressing
- Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese
- Cajun Green Beans
- Leftover Turkey Roll Ups
How to store leftovers
Once cooled completely store the leftover cranberry sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Mel's kitchen notes
If you like to have less texture to your cranberry sauce you could use a stick blender (or a food processor) and blend the cranberries. This will give you a nice soft, smooth sauce.
Frequently asked questions: FAQs
If we're talking about a cranberry sauce, then most definitely.
Depending on your recipe. The soaking process happens on the stove and so, they plump up nicely. If you're replacing fresh cranberries, say in baked goods, then you should soak for 15-20 minutes first, sure. It's a great way to add cranberries.
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Dried Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1-½ Cups Dried Cranberries
- ¾ Cup Cranberry Juice
- 2 Tablespoons Light Brown Sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Granulated Sugar
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ½ Tablespoon Orange Zest zest of one orange
- 2 Tablespoons Cold Water
- 1 Tablespoon Cornstarch
Instructions
- Add the dried cranberries, cranberry juice, sugars, orange zest and salt in a small pot. Apply medium heat and bring to a boil.1-½ Cups Dried Cranberries, ¾ Cup Cranberry Juice, 2 Tablespoons Light Brown Sugar, 1 Tablespoon Granulated Sugar, ¼ teaspoon Salt, ½ Tablespoon Orange Zest
- Once boiling turn down the heat to a low-medium heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Cover and simmer for a further 5 minutes.
- Mix the cold water with the cornstarch and add to the pot with the other ingredients. Give a good stir and cover again, cook for 1 more minute.2 Tablespoons Cold Water, 1 Tablespoon Cornstarch
- Serve garnished with a little orange zest sprinkled on top.
Nutrition
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