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!
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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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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
Did you try this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the recipe card right below! You can also write a review in the comment section further 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
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.
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 try
Andrea 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!