Cranberry Sauce From Dried Cranberries - Easy Holiday Recipe

Name: Cranberry Sauce From Dried Cranberries - Easy Holiday Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 ½ cup dried cranberries ((Craisins)); ½ cup water; ¾ cup fresh orange juice; ¼ cup light brown sugar; 1 teaspoon fresh orange zest; ½ inch cinnamon stick; Pinch of salt; 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch + 2 tablespoon water

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If you’ve ever thought cranberry sauce was only for Thanksgiving, this cranberry sauce with dried cranberries recipe is about to change your mind. It’s tangy, slightly sweet, perfectly spiced with cinnamon, and has just the right amount of citrus from the orange juice and zest. Honestly, it’s so flavorful that you’ll want to enjoy it year-round. Drizzle the cranberry sauce over whole roasted chicken or turkey to enjoy!

Homemade cranberry sauce made with dried cranberries served in a white bowl on a holiday table.

There’s no better way to bring bold cranberry flavor to your holiday table than with a simple, homemade holiday saucelike this one. Whether you’re planning a cozy Christmas dinner or a classic Thanksgiving dinner, this smooth and sweet sauce adds the perfect balance of brightness and tang.

For those of you who’ve tried my Pumpkin Cheese Ball or Roasted Carrots Hummus, you know I love dips and spreads that double as sides. This homemade cranberry sauce recipe with orange juice falls into that category—it’s easy, versatile, and adds that festive pop of flavor to any meal. If you want to make a sugar free cranberry sauce, I’ve shared the substitutes as well.

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WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS CRANBERRY SAUCE WITH DRIED CRANBERRIES
INGREDIENTS AND SUBSTITUTIONS
HOW TO MAKE CRANBERRY SAUCE WITH DRIED CRANBERRIES
VARIATIONS FOR CRANBERRY SAUCE RECIPE WITH ORANGE
Equipment
SERVING SUGGESTIONS FOR CRANBERRY SAUCE WITH DRIED CRANBERRIES
STORAGE AND REHEATING TIPS FOR EASY CRANBERRY SAUCE
TOP TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST CRANBERRY SAUCE RECIPE
FAQ
Related
Pairing
Cranberry Sauce From Dried Cranberries - Easy Holiday Recipe

Close-up of smooth, sweet-tart cranberry sauce with rich cranberry flavor, perfect for Thanksgiving dinner.

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS CRANBERRY SAUCE WITH DRIED CRANBERRIES

Easy recipe to Make – Dried cranberries might intimidate you, but soak them for 5 minutes and you’ve conquered them. Simmer them in orange juice and water mixture and that’s all. Within a few minutes, using a few ingredients, you have yourself a perfect cranberry sauce recipe with orange juice.

Quick & simple: Ready in about 15 minutes.

Festive and Flavorful – The orange juice and zest paired with cinnamon make this cranberry sauce taste like the holidays in a bowl. You can make it in big batches and save for upcoming holidays! It works magically with almost anything.

Better Than Store-Bought – Homemade cranberry sauce beats the canned stuff every single time. Plus, you can adjust the sweetness to your preference. Or, you can make a sugar free cranberry sauce within minutes.

Versatile – You can serve this cranberry sauce with roasted meats, sandwiches, breakfast items, or even desserts. It pairs wonderfully with sweet as well as savory dishes.

INGREDIENTS AND SUBSTITUTIONS

This Thanksgiving cranberry sauce made with just a few basic ingredients, it transforms dried cranberries into a luscious, jammy tart sauce that’s ideal for any holiday meal. Even if fresh berries aren’t in season, you can still enjoy that nostalgic cranberry season taste, a festive touch to say happy holidays in every spoonful. Lets see the ingredients below!

ingredients laid out for Easy holiday sauce made from basic ingredients for cranberry sauce.

Dried Cranberries (Craisins) – Soak the dried cranberries for 5 minutes. They plump up well when simmered. If you prefer frozen or fresh cranberries (whole berries), you can swap them in, but the cook time will be shorter.
Water – It helps rehydrate the dried cranberries.
Orange Juice – Adding orange juice to soak the dried cranberries gives them tangy freshness. You can substitute with grapefruit juice or apple juice or lemon juice if you don’t have oranges.
Brown Sugar or White sugar – Brings warmth and depth. You can use stevia, erythritol, or monk fruit extract or maple syrup as a substitute for a sugar free cranberry sauce.
Orange Zest – A little goes a long way. It will add that zesty freshness to this homemade cranberry sauce with dried cranberries. You can use any other citrus fruit zest as a substitute for.
Cinnamon Stick – Cinnamon adds a nutty flavor and infuses the sauce with warm spice. Ground cinnamon can be used in a pinch.
Salt – Just a pinch enhances all the flavors.
Cornstarch & Water – Cornstarch creates a slurry to thicken the sauce into that glossy, spoonable consistency.

See recipe card for quantities.

HOW TO MAKE CRANBERRY SAUCE WITH DRIED CRANBERRIES

Easy holiday sauce made from basic ingredients in a saucepan.

In a medium saucepan, combine dried cranberries, water, and orange juice. Let them sit for 5 minutes to begin softening.

Ingredients added to the saucepan to make the cranberry sauce.

Add sugar, orange zest, cinnamon, and salt. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat.

Reduce the heat and let the sauce simmer for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries are plump and soft.

cornstarch being added to make cranberry sauce.

Slowly whisk the slurry into the simmering sauce and cook for 2–3 more minutes.

Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and turns glossy and the dried cranberries are plump (2–3 minutes after adding the slurry). You’ll know it’s ready when a spoon dragged across the pan leaves a brief trail and the sauce lightly coats the back of the spoon. Remove from heat and let the sauce cool; it will continue to thicken as it stands.

Serve this cranberry sauce with dried cranberries warm or chilled. For the best flavor, chill at least 1 hour if serving cold. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

Hint: For a smoother sauce, mash lightly with a spoon or blend briefly with an immersion blender once it cools slightly.

Easy holiday sauce made from basic ingredients, showing plump dried cranberries simmered into a glossy tart sauce.

VARIATIONS FOR CRANBERRY SAUCE RECIPE WITH ORANGE

Sugar-Free Cranberry Sauce: If you want to cut back on sugar, swap the brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener, erythritol, or stevia. Adjust the amount to taste. The rest of the recipe remains the same so you can follow it step by step and make the best homemade cranberry sauce.

Apple Cranberry Sauce with Dried Cranberries: If you want to swap oranges with something else, that’s tart-sweet, go for apples! Replace orange juice with half part apple juice and half part apple cider vinegar. Follow the same steps as in this recipe. It will have a different yet delicious flavor and aroma.

Spiced Holiday Cranberry Sauce Recipe with Orange: If you love warm spices, you can add ground nutmeg and cloves along with the cinnamon stick. This gives the sauce a deeper holiday flavor. Just be careful not to add too much, as these spices can be quite strong.

Equipment

Saucepan
Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
Measuring cups and spoon

Sweet and tangy cranberry sauce with a smooth texture in a spoon, garnished with fresh herbs on a holiday table.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS FOR CRANBERRY SAUCE WITH DRIED CRANBERRIES

Sandwiches: This sweet and tangy cranberry sauce is the perfect spread for sandwiches. You can serve it on the side or spread it on the turkey sandwich. Try it with my Turkey Melt Sandwich, Grilled Cream Cheese Sandwich, Chicken Salad Melt, or Hummus Bagel.

Roasted Vegetables: Pair this sauce with a hearty side of Crispy Hot Honey Brussel Sprouts or Roasted Mini Peppers. The caramelized flavors of roasted veggies go beautifully with the tart-sweet cranberry sauce.

Salads: You’ll be amazed by how this easy homemade cranberry sauce can give a bold flavor to a boring salad. You must try it with my (not boring) Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad, Crispy Chicken Caesar Salad, or Salmon Kale Quinoa Salad.

Casseroles: For those of you who want a bolder flavor for a casserole, serve it with cranberry sauce with dried cranberries. I tried it with my Chicken and Dumpling Casserole, and it was delicious!

Dinners: Serve this homemade cranberry sauce recipe with orange alongside juicy Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs or BBQ Chicken Thighs, Shrimp Skewers, or Oven Roasted Chicken with Potatoes. It’s a surprising but delicious way to add a festive twist to everyday chicken recipes.

Holiday Appetizers: You can spoon this sauce over crackers with cheese, or even use it as a dip with the Pumpkin Cheese Ball or any other appetizer. It’s an easy way to upgrade your appetizer spread.

Sweet Pairings: Try it with Pumpkin Hand Pies, Apple Turnovers, or Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal. The tartness of the cranberries balances perfectly with these cozy, sweet, fall dishes.

A spoon ready to scoop the Festive cranberry sauce with dried cranberries.

STORAGE AND REHEATING TIPS FOR EASY CRANBERRY SAUCE

Room Temperature: This leftover cranberry sauce with dried cranberries can stay fresh at room temperature for 2-3 hours. After that, transfer the delicious homemade cranberry sauce in a mason jar to refrigerate it for optimal flavors.
Refrigerator: Let the sauce cool down completely. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Freezer: Freeze in a sealed freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Reheating: Warm gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or orange juice if it’s too thick.

TOP TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST CRANBERRY SAUCE RECIPE

Let the cranberries soak for a few minutes before cooking; it helps soften them faster.
Remove the cinnamon stick before thickening the sauce.
Keep in mind the sauce thickens as it cools, so don’t overdo the cornstarch.
Taste-test the sweetness. Dried cranberries can vary in sweetness. So adjust sugar to preference.
If you’re going for a sugar free cranberry sauce, use unsweetened cranberries.
This sauce recipe has a chunky texture, you can use a hand blender and blend it till it’s smooth if you don’t want chunks.

FAQ

Can I make this cranberry sauce with dried cranberries ahead of time?

Definitely. It actually tastes better the next day once the flavors meld. Perfect for meal prep or holiday dinners.

How do I make a sugar free cranberry sauce with dried cranberries?

Replace the brown sugar with a sugar substitute like monk fruit, erythritol, or stevia. Start with a small amount and adjust to taste.

Can I use ground cinnamon instead of a stick?

Yes, use ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon if you don’t have a cinnamon stick. Add it in with the sugar and zest.

What does cranberry sauce go with?

It’s not just for turkey! This cranberry sauce with dried cranberries pairs with chicken, pork, sandwiches, roasted vegetables, or even as a topping for desserts.

Homemade cranberry sauce made with dried cranberries served in a white bowl on a marble table.

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with this Christmas cranberry sauce recipe:

If you tried this Cranberry Sauce with Dried Cranberries recipe or any other recipe from my blog, I’d love to hear your thoughts! ⭐ Please leave a STAR rating and share your experience in the COMMENTS below. Your support means so much and helps me continue creating delicious recipes. Thank you for being part of this journey!