Cranberry Sauce From Dried Cranberries - Easy Holiday Recipe
This cranberry sauce with dried cranberries is the perfect blend of sweet and tart, with a rich, jammy texture and a vibrant burst of flavor. It’s an easy, no-fuss side dish that adds a festive touch to your Thanksgiving or Christmas table and the best part is, it comes together quickly with pantry staples.
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
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
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine dried cranberries, water, and orange juice. Let them sit for 5 minutes to begin softening.
- 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. Remove the cinnamon stick at this stage.
- In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water until smooth. Slowly whisk the slurry into the simmering sauce and cook for 2–3 more minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and turns glossy.
- Remove from heat and let the sauce cool, it will thicken even more as it stands.
- Serve warm or chilled. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
Notes
- 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.
Nutrition
Serving: 2 tablespoonsCalories: 61kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 0.1gFat: 0.1gSodium: 7.5mgFiber: 0.6gSugar: 13.7g
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