Cranberry sauce is a classic Thanksgiving dish, but if you want something easy without eating from a can, you’ll love this cranberry sauce made from dried cranberries! It’s sweet, juicy, and ready in just minutes.

bowl of cranberry sauce from dried cranberries topped with orange zest

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Anybody else start day dreaming and planning their Thanksgiving meal months in advance? I have a few staples I need to see on the table every year, but I also like to have a couple new things to try.

I hope you’ll try my cranberry sauce this year. Even if you’re not eating turkey I think you’ll still enjoy it on it’s own, with a bite of stuffing or potatoes, or spread on your favorite dinner roll.

Why make cranberry sauce from dried cranberries?

Dried cranberries may be easier for some people to find than fresh cranberries. You’re also able to order them online, making them a good choice for people who can’t or don’t want to leave their home.

I always have dried cranberries on hand for adding to salads or for snacking (the kids love them!), which makes this recipe super easy to throw together any night of the week, but especially on a holiday. The ingredients list is simple, the cooking only takes a few minutes, and the taste can’t be beat!

Cranberry sauce ingredients

Dried cranberries
Cranberry juice
Brown sugar
White sugar
Orange juice and zest
Salt
Cornstarch
Water

an overhead shot of all the ingredients needed to make cranberry sauce with dried cranberries

How to make cranberry sauce with dried cranberries

Bring everything except cornstarch and water to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat.
Cover, reduce the heat, and simmer until the cranberries have plumped up, 3-5 minutes.
In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and water. Add this mixture to the cranberries, stir, and cook another minute.

bowl of cranberry sauce with dried cranberries topped with orange zest

Top tips and questions

Can you make cranberry sauce with dried cranberries?

Yes, you can make cranberry sauce with dried cranberries. The liquid in the recipe gets absorbed by the dried berries which plumps them up, and the cornstarch thickens it into a thick, sweet sauce.

Should I use sweetened or unsweetened dried cranberries to make cranberry sauce?

I used sweetened, but if you prefer a more tart sauce you could use unsweetened dried cranberries. You could also add more sugar to taste if using unsweetened.

Are dried cranberries craisins?

Dried cranberries are sometimes sold under the name Craisins. It’s like a cross between a cranberry and a raisin since the cranberries are dried similar to a raisin. You can use dried cranberries and craisins interchangeably.

close up of a bowl of homemade cranberry sauce topped with orange zest

What kind of cranberry juice should I use?

I chose to use a naturally sweetened cranberry juice blend to help lower the sugar content of this recipe, but feel free to use regular sweetened or unsweetened cranberry juice. Just keep in mind you may need to adjust the sugar to accommodate your juice preference.

A tip for your Thanksgiving planning

If you’re making homemade cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving or another holiday, I suggest testing it out before hand to make sure you enjoy it and know how to make it on the big day. It can be really stressful making a new recipe on Thanksgiving, especially since you’re probably keeping an eye on a number of other dishes as well.

Can I make cranberry sauce ahead of time?

You can make this easy cranberry sauce ahead of time, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. It will keep for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator, or 3 months in the freezer.

bowl of cranberry sauce with dried cranberries topped with orange zest and a spoon sticking out

Tips for customizing

If you prefer a more tart cranberry sauce, use unsweetened dried cranberries or less sugar.
Want a smoother sauce? Use an immersion or regular blender to blend some of the sauce.
Use this sauce as a topping for vanilla ice cream.
Spread leftovers on toast with a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Spread on top of a wheel of brie and wrap in puff pastry to make a brie en croute appetizer

More vegetarian Thanksgiving recipes

bowl of cranberry sauce with dried cranberries topped with orange zest with a spoon sticking out

If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!

Recipe