It may seem impossible, but if you have any leftover cranberry sauce after Thanksgiving (or other occasion), you might wonder what to do with it. Can you freeze cranberry sauce, or is it best kept in the fridge? We answer this question and share the best way to store cranberry sauce—whether homemade or canned.
How Long to Keep Cranberry Sauce
Whether homemade or from a can, cranberry sauce lasts in the fridge for about two weeks as long as you store it in a covered container. During those weeks, take advantage and slather that cranberry sauce on leftover turkey sandwiches, stir it into yogurt and ice cream, and spread it onto pancakes or peanut butter sandwiches. After that time, if you have any cranberry sauce left (doubtful!), it’s time to think about freezing it.
Can You Freeze Cranberry Sauce?
Homemade
Yes, you can freeze homemade cranberry sauce—and it works well. It's best to store it in the freezer for up to 3 months; the taste may be affected due to its water content if frozen longer. Keep this in mind when putting away your leftover sauce and use it during this optimal period as part of an easy weeknight dinner.
Canned
While canned cranberry sauce can technically be frozen, it's best not to. Unlike its homemade counterpart, canned cranberry sauce doesn't freeze or defrost very well. The jellied texture changes after freezing, becoming more watery. Even the leading authority on canned cranberry sauce, Ocean Spray, agrees that freezing canned cranberry sauce is not recommended.
How to Freeze Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Follow these steps for freezing your homemade cranberry sauce.
Let Sauce Cool
It's important to let the cranberry sauce cool. Freezing it hot may affect your freezer's overall temperature.
Use an Airtight Container or Bag
Pour the cooled sauce into an airtight container or freezer-safe plastic bag. This will help prevent freezer burn.
Label Before Freezing
Remove air from the bag and seal. Then, be sure to label it with the date you freeze it so you know how long it will last.
You can also freeze cranberry sauce in smaller portions by pouring it into silicone ice molds. After freezing the tray and the sauce completely freezes, place the individual cranberry sauce cubes in a freezer-safe plastic bag.
How to Freeze Canned Cranberry Sauce
Though not recommended, if you really want to freeze canned cranberry sauce, simply follow the outlined steps above. But be warned: It should be used within a few weeks of freezing it. The sooner you use the frozen canned cranberry sauce, the better.
How to Thaw Frozen Cranberry Sauce
To defrost or thaw your frozen cranberry sauce, let it sit in the refrigerator overnight. You could also reheat it on the stove or in the microwave. Be sure to stir it well before serving.
If you prefer to use your sauce on the spot and don't have time to wait overnight, you can thaw and reheat it on the stove. First, microwave it to soften it up. Alternatively, you can place the container in a bowl filled with hot water to thaw before reheating.
Benefits of Freezing Cranberry Sauce
Freezing your cranberry sauce has benefits. For starters, you'll be able to enjoy Thanksgiving leftovers for months after the holiday. Since freezing maintains the sauce's original taste, you'll love adding the classic cranberry flavor to everyday meals. You can also create more space in your refrigerator by freezing food.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you eat year-old cranberry sauce?
If unopened and stored in a cool pantry, canned cranberry sauce will keep for a year after its best-by date. It should taste fairly good, too, and it's safe to eat. The date on the can is for the quality, not a safety expiration date.
Can you freeze sauce in zip-top plastic bags?
Resealable freezer-safe bags are great for storing sauces or other liquids in the freezer. They stack well, taking up less freezer space, and are inexpensive.
Are mason jars freezer-safe for storing cranberry sauce?
Glass jars are perfect for freezing liquids like soups and sauces. They're airtight and help prevent freezer burn. However, not all glass jars are freezer-safe; those with straight sides are safe, while shouldered jars are not.
5 Simple Meal Prep Tricks That Will Save You Tons of Time in the Kitchen
FAQs
You can pour the cranberry sauce into a freezer-friendly bag or use a vacuum sealer to create an airtight bag. Both bag options are great because they'll prevent ice crystals or unwanted odors from ruining your cranberry sauce.
Does homemade cranberry sauce freeze well? ›
Homemade cranberry sauce keeps wonderfully in the freezer for up to three months. Pour your cooled cranberry sauce into freezer-friendly zip-top plastic bags, and remove as much air as possible from the bag before sealing. Make sure you label it with the food's name and the date you're putting it into the freezer.
Can you freeze leftover canned jellied cranberry sauce? ›
Unlike its homemade counterpart, canned cranberry sauce doesn't freeze or defrost very well. The jellied texture changes after freezing, becoming more watery. Even the leading authority on canned cranberry sauce, Ocean Spray, agrees that freezing canned cranberry sauce is not recommended.
How long does homemade cranberry sauce stay fresh in the refrigerator? ›
When to Toss Cranberry Sauce. Cranberry sauce will last for two hours at room temperature. Homemade cranberry sauce will last in the fridge for 10 to 14 days. Canned cranberry sauce that has been opened will last up to a week in the fridge.
Should you chill canned cranberry sauce? ›
Serve warm, room temperature, or chilled. Cranberry sauce will thicken as it cools.
How do you reheat canned cranberry sauce? ›
When you're dealing with canned whole cranberry sauce, you can pour it into a small pot and bring it to a low boil. Once it starts to boil, I lower the heat and let it simmer until I'm satisfied with the temperature and texture.
How do you prepare cranberries for freezing? ›
Rinse before freezing
- Sort, rinse, drain and pat the berries dry to prevent ice crystals from causing freezer burn.
- Place them on a shallow tray until frozen in the freezer.
- Pack them in a rigid freezer container or plastic freezer bag-label them with a date.
Metals can corrode and rust in moist environments. However, you may store them in the refrigerator for a short period of time. It is best to store unopened commercially canned foods in a cool and dry place (such as in a cupboard). For best quality use closed canned fruits within 18 months.
How long does canned cranberry jelly last in the fridge? ›
Since you might not easily remember the date the can was originally opened, adding the date you refrigerated the leftovers is a good idea. When correctly stored, cranberry sauce can stay good in your fridge for up to two weeks, whether it's the whole berry or jelly style.
How long can cranberries last in the freezer? ›
Freezing Cranberries
Place plastic bags of cranberries directly in the freezer for up to twelve months and use without thawing—just run cold water over them to rinse before using.
The short answer is yes, you can freeze your Thanksgiving stuffing! And it actually freezes really well. Just like with freezing mashed potatoes or freezing pumpkin pie, keeping stuffing in the freezer is a great time-saving trick. Phew, now that we got that squared away, you might be wondering just how to do it.
How do you store canned cranberry sauce? ›
Unopened canned cranberry sauce can last a year in the pantry but make sure to check the "best before" date to make sure it hasn't expired, and once open, it can be stored in a container with a tightly fitting lid for up to two weeks.
Is homemade cranberry sauce good for you? ›
The homemade cranberry sauce has nearly half the calories, carbohydrates, and sugars compared to the store brand. It also has more fiber as well as potassium! Thankfully, buying cranberry sauce at the store is not the only option. We have the perfect Simple Cranberry Sauce recipe to make for the upcoming holidays!
How to make cranberry sauce less runny? ›
Try reducing the sauce down even further so more of the liquid cooks off and the mixture thickens. If that doesn't work, add a thickener like gelatin, pectin or a cornstarch slurry (cornstarch whisked into juice or water). Let the sauce cool before refrigerating to completely set.
Can you freeze leftover cranberry sauce from a can? ›
According to OceanSpray, an authority on cranberries, it is not recommended to freeze canned cranberry sauce. If you do, you may find yourself with a watery-goop later thanks to the gelatin. Instead you can refrigerate leftover canned and homemade cranberry sauce in a closed, air-tight, container for up to two weeks.
How to upgrade canned cranberry sauce? ›
Adding a teaspoon or two of fresh lemon or orange zest, a tablespoon of chopped candied peel, or even a splash of juice to your canned sauce will brighten flavors and bring in some homemade flavor.
How long is homemade cranberry sauce good for after opening? ›
Most homemade cranberry sauces can last two weeks in the fridge, putting this batch's expiration date just a few days before Turkey Day.
How do you doctor up a can of cranberry sauce? ›
Stir-in one (or more) of the following add-ins to one can of whole or jellied cranberry sauce:
- 2 Tbsp. of orange juice plus 1 tsp. of finely grated orange peel.
- ½ can of mandarin oranges.
- ½ cup pineapple.
- ½ tsp. cinnamon.
- ½ cup chopped dried apricots.
- ½ cup toasted pecans.
- 2 Tbsp. Zinfandel Wine.
Cranberry Sauce Fans Weigh In
- Open the end that's meant to be opened with the can opener.
- Turn it upside down over the serving dish you'll be using.
- Poke a hole in the side that has the air bubble in it.
- The cranberry sauce should slide out completely intact.
Should homemade cranberry sauce be served cold? You'll want to cool your homemade cranberry sauce to room temperature first, as hot liquids can crack pretty serving dishes! After that, chilling it will not only help the cranberry sauce thicken and gel, but it preserves it as well.
In lieu of granulated sugar, try genuine maple syrup. It's already liquid so it will stir right into the cranberry sauce, lending it a gentle sweetness. If you don't have maple syrup (pancake syrup WILL NOT do, y'all), try honey or a more neutral sweetener like agave syrup, brown rice syrup, or even simple syrup.
Why is jellied cranberry sauce canned upside down? ›
According to Ocean Spray, that's intentional: It creates a seamless serving experience. The cans are “filled and labeled upside down with the rounded edge on top and the sharp can-like edge on the bottom to keep the jelly whole,” an Ocean Spray spokesperson told CNN Business.
How long do fresh cranberries keep in the freezer? ›
Place plastic bags of cranberries directly in the freezer for up to twelve months and use without thawing—just run cold water over them to rinse before using. Because some bruised and soft berries and some stems and leaves are often in the bags, you might prefer to sort and wash the berries before freezing them.
How long does it take to thaw frozen cranberries? ›
DO NOT THAW frozen cranberries before using. Simply rinse in cold water and use as directed for fresh cranberries. Frozen berries can be chopped in a food processor (one bag or 3 cups / 750 mL at a time).
Does cranberry juice freeze well? ›
Because cranberries are acidic, with a pH of around 2.5 (they contain citric, malic, and quinic acids), they last longer than other juices. But if that three weeks is just not long enough, you can freeze your juice to prolong its life even further.
Does cranberry sauce need to be cold? ›
Should cranberry sauce be served warm or cold? You could, of course, serve it straight out of the pot, but I think it's best after it's chilled in the fridge. Chilling it helps it firm up some more in the fridge, plus, serving it this way means you can make it days ahead of a holiday.
