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
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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)
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Cranberry Sauce from Dried Cranberries
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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.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
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!
Kalu
This looks delicious. Never had it before, but I think I'll try your recipe for this Thanksgiving. Thanks for sharing.
Sula
Enjoy!
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!
Heidi-The Mediterranean Chick
Just in time for thanksgiving, definitely trying it
Sula
I hope you enjoy it!
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! 🙂
Melinda
Such a clever idea to use dried cranberries. Never would have thought of it!
Sula
It comes in handy!
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!
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!
Charlotte BG
Here we are in 2021 and there are supply chain issues where products are not getting to customers causing prices to go up and some bare shelves at stores. All thanks to multiple covid19 variants are still going through the world population and many people still not wanting to work. B/c of this went Thanksiving shopping in October got almost everything except few items, can and fresh cranberries are one of them. But have a bag of dried cranberries at home for oatmeal. Thank good for this recipe again! Just my house hold getting together again this year but its nice to have this normal annual feast. I also add one cinnamon stick to the boiling cranberries gives it an extra bit of yummiest. Happy Holidays!
Sula
Charlotte - I'm impressed that you've organized for Thanksgiving so early! I agree, we all need to keep this annual tradition alive. With all the weirdness in the world, it helps maintain our sense of normal. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!
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!
Emily Liao
This one turned out great! Will be using this over Thanksgiving 🙂
Sula
Excellent!
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!
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!