Cranberry sauce is a staple for any Thanksgiving meal. But what if you can’t find fresh cranberries? No problem – you can make your cranberry sauce from dried cranberries! No one will know the difference!
Ingredients needed
- Dried cranberries, sweetened (Craisins)
- Cranberry juice
- Sugar
- 1 orange, juiced and zested
- Salt
- Cornstarch for thickening
How to make cranberry sauce from dried cranberries
I was really surprised at how easy it is to make cranberry sauce using dried cranberries. It’s actually very similar to using fresh cranberries. Unlike my cranberry-apricot sauce, this one only needs the juice of one orange. More liquid comes from cranberry juice – a great way to replace the liquid normally present in fresh cranberries. Orange zest and sugar complete the flavors.
Place everything in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until the cranberries plump up. This takes about 5-10 minutes. Then, add a slurry made of cornstarch to thicken the sauce.
Done!
Recipe FAQs
The sauce is both tart and sweet, which to me is the perfect combination in a cranberry sauce. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, increase the sugar to ⅓ cup.
Yes, the only difference is that you’ll need to increase the sugar to ⅓ cup. That will replace that extra sugar you would otherwise get from the Craisins.
For me, this is an easy choice. If I buy unsweetened, I’m always wondering what to do with the leftovers. Sweetened cranberries (Craisins) are entirely snackable on their own, and never go uneaten in this house!
Many consider cranberries a superfood due to their high levels of antioxidants and nutrients. Research has linked the nutrients in cranberries to a lower risk of urinary tract infection, the prevention of cancer, improved immune function, and decreased blood pressure. (Medical News Today)
Cranberry Sauce from Dried Cranberries
Ingredients
- 1½ cups dried cranberries sweetened
- ¾ cup cranberry juice
- ¼ cup sugar
- Zest of one orange
- Juice from one orange
- Dash of salt
To thicken:
- 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ cup water
Instructions
- Add cranberries, orange juice and zest, cranberry juice, sugar and a dash of salt to a medium saucepan. Heat to boiling.
- Reduce heat to simmer and cook until the cranberries plump up, about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Make a slurry with the cornstarch and water. Slowly drizzle into the sauce mixture while stirring. Stir for at least one minute, until the sauce thickens. Sauce will thicken more as it cools.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Vincit Omina
Thank you for this. Just in time!
Sula
Enjoy!
Andrea Metlika
This is so easy to make and I love the flavor of this cranberry sauce.
Sula
I'm so glad you like it!
KarenT
Agreed! Didn't want to risk a trip to the store this for fresh cranberries
Sula
Yes, this recipe is perfect for that!
Big Trouble
This is such a smart recipe because of the dried cranberry factor. Dried cranberries are delicious to snack on, so you'll never be left with leftovers that you'll probably throw out! Very smart!
Sula
Yes, that's how it works for me too! They are one of my favorite snacks!
Emily Liao
This one turned out great! Will be using this over Thanksgiving 🙂
Sula
Excellent!
Tara
Oh nice! I rarely come across fresh cranberries so this sauce would be perfect. Love that color and such a great addition to the holiday table.
Sula
Yes it is hard sometimes to have to rely upon finding fresh - using dried cranberries makes a great sauce!
Suzy
Wow! Never knew you could make cranberry sauce with dried cranberries! Such a genius idea! The orange flavor goes so well with this too!
Sula
It works very well!
veenaazmanov
I love a sauce with most of the snack I have and this one could get special. Your recipe is so easy and your presentation makes me drool.
Sula
I hope you try it soon!
Melinda
Such a clever idea to use dried cranberries. Never would have thought of it!
Sula
It comes in handy!
Cindy Mom, the Lunch Lady
OMG I love this! You don't know how many times I waited too long to buy fresh cranberries, only for them to be sold out everywhere! Thank you for sharing this!
Sula
You're welcome - the same thing has happened to me!
Laura Graham
Have made this the last 2 or 3 years, never fails! Absolute essential at Christmas! Bit late this year (It's currently midnight on Christmas eve/day, oops) but it's always such a welcome addition to the plate and throughout the year. Thank you for sharing, can't get fresh cranberries in Spain, let alone a premade sauce, but even if I could, I'd still make this as it's so quick and easy and tastes so much better! 10 Stars!
Sula
Thank you Laura, it warms my heart to think of you making my sauce in Spain. Food really does connect us all. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas! 🙂
Heidi-The Mediterranean Chick
Just in time for thanksgiving, definitely trying it
Sula
I hope you enjoy it!
Alyssa Hixenbaugh
I can honestly say I’ve never made my own cranberry sauce and I never liked the idea of it. But I think you changed my mind! Your recipe looks really tasty and I’m sure homemade is better! I’ll have to try it!
Sula
Its easy and really very good!
Kalu
This looks delicious. Never had it before, but I think I'll try your recipe for this Thanksgiving. Thanks for sharing.
Sula
Enjoy!
Emily Flint
I love the use of dried cranberries for a sauce and orange is a must-have in my opinion. This recipe is perfect for our small gathering this year, thank you!
Sula
I agree with you on the orange - it's an essential taste in cranberry sauce!
Colette
I love cranberries. I didn’t know you can make cranberry sauce out of dried cranberries! This is so cool. Thank you so much for the recipe!
Sula
It comes in handy when you can't find fresh!
Mihaela|https://theworldisanoyster.com/
Oh, wow, I've never made sweet sauces but I might just start soon:)) I wish I had this recipe over the summer, so many cranberries at the allotment... I will save it for next year!
Sula
I hope you enjoy it!
Gina Abernathy
Yes, please! Cranberry sauce is a must on Thanksgiving Day. My husband can not eat dressing without a spoonful of cranberry sauce to go with it. I will definitely have to make this from scratch. Thanks.
Sula
Somehow it just goes with all the other Thanksgiving flavors, doesn't it?
Audrey
I didn’t know you could do this with dried cranberries!
Sula
It's handy to know, just in case!
FOODHEAL
I wish we had fresh cranberries here in France, I'd try this recipe.
Sula
That's the beauty of it. Fresh not needed to make your own sauce. 🙂
Mama Maggie's Kitchen
My mouth is watering. I wish this were in front of me.
Sula
I hope you have some soon!
Debbie
So delicious! Can’t wait to try this!! 😁
Sula
You will love it!
Mrs.Mityorn
I'm an American living in Southern Spain with my German husband but I still keep my 'Merican Roots by preparing a Thanksgiving Meal every year for my family. It's a challenge to gather all the ingredients for the tradition that are so common in grocery stores stateside. Before the events of 2020 unfolded no limiting travel, I would stash some canned goods like pumpkin puree, fried onions, mushroom soup, cranberry sauce, etc. in my suitcase when I visited my mommy in Northern Virginia. This year I'm in my own unable to stock up. Thank you for sharing your recipe on making cranberry sauce from dried ones as there aren't any fresh cranberry bogs in Spain yet that I've discovered and during the holidays they do have dried fruits including cranberries much to my joy ; )
Sula
I'm so glad I can help you keep the Thanksgiving tradition alive while overseas!
Heather
Hi, once made can I heat this sauce up?
Thanks
Sula
If you like to serve it warm, then yes you should be able to heat this sauce up after making it. Enjoy!
Dina
We made this and I think it will be delicious. One thing though, instead of using water to make the slurry why not use some of the cranberry juice? I wish I would have thought of it before I made the slurry, but I think it would have enhanced the cranberry taste. The texture though was perfect and this came together super fast! Great idea, especially now when it is not easy to just run to the store for something quick.
Sula
Dina - I agree and I like the way you think! I've never tried it with cranberry juice for the slurry but I'm sure it would be great that way too!
Kerrie
This recipe is pure genius. I’ve been living in Brazil for a year now and no fresh cranberries or jars of sauce. Found dry cranberries in the market and bought 3 packs which is 1 1/2 cups!!! I’m delighted thank you
Sula
Kerrie, it warms my heart to think of someone in Brazil making my recipe. Thank you so much for letting me know!