Super Simple Dried Cranberry Sauce
This recipe is for those that enjoy cranberry sauce all year round, even when fresh cranberries are not in season.
I was a bit hesitant about creating this recipe; I have a deep love for homemade cranberry sauce, so I didn’t want to disappoint myself. I am here to assure you that this sauce is so worthy of your time!
This cranberry sauce is the perfect balance of sweet and bright flavors and has the perfect hint of orangey spice.
It’s also super simple to make — all you have to do is let all the ingredients simmer for 10-15 minutes and you’re done!
How Customizable Is This Recipe?
For this recipe, you can opt for sweetened cranberries or not — same for the cranberry juice. I chose unsweetened cranberry juice because I prefer a tart sauce, but you can choose any juice you like.
I also used honey over sugar, but again, the choice is yours; it won’t change the texture or recipe that much.
Have fun and make this recipe your own! My only real advice here is to not skip on the orange zest, it’s really what makes this cranberry sauce, in my opinion.
I like to make a double or triple batch of this sauce because it freezes really well.
I either add it to a Mason jar or Ziploc bag (whatever I have on hand), then pop it into the freezer so I have delicious cranberry sauce whenever the craving hits.
For this recipe, you will need a saucepan, a mixing spoon, and a container to store the sauce in.
What Is The Benefit Of Using Dried Cranberries?
The thing with fresh cranberries is they are a seasonal fruit, and you can only find fresh ones in the late fall and winter.
Oftentimes I would love a cranberry sauce with my meal at other times of the year to add some brightness to it, but they are no longer in season.
However, you can find dried cranberries any time of year so this would be the time to use this recipe.
What Is The Best Way To Store This Sauce?
The best way to store this sauce is either in the fridge or in the freezer if you are making a double or triple batch.
How Long Will This Sauce Last?
This recipe will last 5-7 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
What Should I Eat With This Sauce?
I know the traditional way to eat cranberry sauce is with Thanksgiving turkey, but don’t stop there!
I love adding this sauce to any meat and potatoes dish — it’s also wonderful on pancakes or cinnamon rolls.
What Is A Good Replacement For Cornstarch?
If you don’t want to use cornstarch (or simply don’t have any), arrowroot powder or tapioca starch are great replacements.
Should I Use Sweetened Or Unsweetened Cranberries?
This is all up to you. I prefer a less sweet and more tart cranberry sauce, so I went with unsweetened cranberries.
What If I Don’t Have A Saucepan?
If you are a kitchen novice and you don’t have a good quality saucepan, you can use any skillet you have!
You might have to make it in two batches depending on the size, but it will work just the same.
Super Simple Dried Cranberry Sauce
Yield: 8 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
- 1½ cups dried cranberries
- ½ cup cranberry juice
- Juice and zest of 1 orange
- ¼ cup sweetener (sugar or honey)
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
Instructions
1. Zest and juice the orange. Add the cranberries, cranberry and orange juices, orange zest, sweetener, and salt to a saucepan. Bring to a boil.
2. Turn the heat down to low and let the sauce simmer for 5-10 minutes, or until the cranberries plump up and become soft.
3. Combine the cornstarch and water in a bowl until uniformly mixed, then add to the sauce. Simmer for another few minutes to let the sauce thicken.
4. Remove from the heat and let it cool for a while — it will continue to thicken.
5. Add it to any meal that needs some tangy sweetness. Enjoy!
Super Simple Dried Cranberry Sauce
This cranberry sauce is the perfect balance of sweet and bright flavors and has the perfect hint of orangey spice. It's also super simple to make — all you have to do is let all the ingredients simmer for 10-15 minutes and you’re done!Â
Ingredients
- 1½ cups dried cranberries
- ½ cup cranberry juice
- Juice and zest of 1 orange
- ¼ cup sweetener (sugar or honey)
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
Instructions
1. Zest and juice the orange. Add the cranberries, cranberry and orange juices, orange zest, sweetener, and salt to a saucepan. Bring to a boil.
2. Turn the heat down to low and let the sauce simmer for 5-10 minutes, or until the cranberries plump up and become soft.
3. Combine the cornstarch and water in a bowl until uniformly mixed, then add to the sauce. Simmer for another few minutes to let the sauce thicken.
4. Remove from the heat and let it cool for a while — it will continue to thicken.
5. Add it to any meal that needs some tangy sweetness. Enjoy!
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