Dried Cherry & Orange Cranberry Sauce Recipe - Ready in 20 Minutes (2024)

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Fresh cranberry sauce is a must-have at any Thanksgiving feast. This one is made with plump dried cherries and orange juice in less than 20 minutes.
Dried Cherry & Orange Cranberry Sauce Recipe - Ready in 20 Minutes (1)

Every year at Thanksgiving, my kids eat the cranberry sauce by the spoonful. Actually, it's a battle between the cranberries and the Family Crockpot Applesauce...which will be consumed the fastest when served alongside our go-to roast turkey recipe? Our usual family favorite is a , but this version, with dried cherries and orange juice, is fighting for top billing.

Are you wondering why someone would bother making cranberry sauce when you can just scoop it straight out of a can? It will be my life's mission to convince you that making fresh cranberry sauce will be one of the most worthwhile 15 minutes of your cooking life.

Well, unless it's a recipe where Brie cheese is involved. In that case, scrap what I said about the worthy cranberries.

Dried Cherry & Orange Cranberry Sauce Recipe - Ready in 20 Minutes (2)

I really wasn't sure if the dried cherries would add much to a usual cranberry sauce. But after tasting the finished sauce and biting into the cherries plumped by cooking, I became convinced that dried cherries belong in every batch of this sauce, from here on out.

If you have extra sauce, or want to get ahead of the cooking game by making this a week or two ahead of your Thanksgiving feast, you are in luck. It freezes very well. Scoop the cooled sauce into freezer containers or freezer-proof resealable bags (be sure to squeeze out the air) and place in the freezer. Just defrost and bring it to room temperature before serving.

The recipe:

In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, water, orange juice, dried cherries and brown sugar. (I use my favorite All-Clad Stainless 4-Quart Saucepan for this job. It's a workhorse in my kitchen.)

Dried Cherry & Orange Cranberry Sauce Recipe - Ready in 20 Minutes (3)

Set the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 12-15 minutes, or until the cranberries pop, stirring frequently. Transfer to a bowl and cool completely.

Dried Cherry & Orange Cranberry Sauce Recipe - Ready in 20 Minutes (4)

Refrigerate, covered, until ready to serve.

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Dried Cherry & Orange Cranberry Sauce Recipe - Ready in 20 Minutes (5)
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Printable Recipe

Dried Cherry & Orange Cranberry Sauce Recipe - Ready in 20 Minutes (6)

Dried Cherry & Orange Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Fresh cranberry sauce is a must-have at any Thanksgiving feast. This one is made with plump dried cherries and orange juice in less than 20 minutes.

4.45 from 9 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Sauces/Condiments

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Holiday Recipes

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 2 Cups

Calories: 41kcal

Author: Dara Michalski | Cookin' Canuck

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces fresh cranberries
  • ½ cup water
  • ¾ cup orange juice
  • ¾ cup dried cherries
  • ¼ cup + 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, water, orange juice, dried cherries and brown sugar.

  • Set the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 12-15 minutes, or until the cranberries pop, stirring frequently. Transfer to a bowl and cool completely.

  • Refrigerate, covered, until ready to serve.

Notes

Weight Watchers Points: 2 (SmartPoints), 2 (Points+), 1 (Old Points) WW (Old Points) 1 / WW (Points+) 2

Nutrition

Serving: 2Tablespoons | Calories: 41kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 41mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 210IU | Vitamin C: 7.7mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 0.2mg

Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.

Dried Cherry & Orange Cranberry Sauce Recipe - Ready in 20 Minutes (7)

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Comment

  1. Sunshine

    Hello. I love the low sugar content in this. I don't have any dried cherries, could I use another fruit like apples? Thank you!

    Reply

    • Dara

      Apples would work. I suggest dicing them into small pieces so that they cook more quickly. You might want to sauté them until they start to soften before adding the rest of the ingredients. Alternatively, you could use unsweetened dried cranberries.

      Reply

  2. Joe

    Just cooked this today, it was surprisingly easy, I think my only critique would be it was slightly too tart. Only dired cherries I could find were labeled 'Dried Sour Cherries' in the bulk section of the local Whole Foods store, maybe that 'sour' is why. Other than that I'll be making this again, I've already added it to my recipe binder! Thanks!

    Reply

  3. Andrea Campbell

    Just finished making it. I added a little more sugar and a touch of cinnamon because I like that in cranberry sauce. I'm anxious to taste it after it's been in the frig all night.
    Thanks for the idea with the cherries!

    Reply

  4. Nutmeg Nanny

    Thanks for this recipe 🙂 I bet this tastes really amazing!!

    Reply

  5. david

    Dried Cherry & Orange Cranberry Sauce Recipe - Ready in 20 Minutes (12)
    Made this tonight for a Thanksgiving potluck on Sunday - really good. Added some grated orange peel having used a fresh orange for the juice.

    Reply

  6. Megan {Country Cleaver}

    I've been on a mission or challenge against myself to leave the Dark Side of the Canned Cranberry sauce. I am finally coming around - and the addition of the cherries has totally got me SOLD on this recipe Dara!

    Reply

  7. Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic

    I would totally eat this by the spoonful too! What a great-looking sauce. I can also imagine it going double duty as a spread or jam substitute 🙂

    Reply

  8. Sommer@ASP

    The is one gorgeous cranberry sauce! The cherries are a wonderful surprise.

    Reply

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Dried Cherry & Orange Cranberry Sauce Recipe - Ready in 20 Minutes (2024)

FAQs

Can you substitute dried cranberries for dried cherries? ›

Both can be used interchangeably in recipes. Cranberries Plain or flavored, dried cranberries are usually sweetened because they're too tart otherwise. They can be substituted for dried cherries in recipes.

How long to soak cranberries before baking? ›

Rehydrate the fruits: Dried fruits can be quite hard and dry, so it's often a good idea to rehydrate them before adding them to your baked goods. To do this, simply soak the dried fruits in warm water or fruit juice for 15-20 minutes until they are plump and tender.

How to jazz up 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.

Can you cook cranberry sauce too long? ›

If your cranberry sauce is too thick, it's most likely overcooked. When you cook cranberries (or any berries), they burst, releasing pectin—a natural thickener. The key to a perfect consistency is to allow some but not all of the cranberries to split open—something you'll achieve with less time on the stove.

How long to rehydrate dried cherries? ›

The Easiest Way to Soften Any Dried Fruit

Put your dried fruit in a small bowl and cover with boiling water. Let it steep for 10 to 15 minutes, and then strain the fruit and discard the water. The fruit will be plumper, juicier, and softer.

Can I use dried cranberries instead of fresh in a recipe? ›

Can I substitute dried cranberries in recipes that call for fresh cranberries? Yes, dried cranberries work well in baked goods; however there is a ¼ cup difference in measurement. If a recipe calls for one cup of fresh or frozen cranberries, use ¾ cup of sweetened dried cranberries.

Can dried cranberries be soaked in water? ›

Don't Skip This Step if You're Cooking or Baking With Dried Cranberries | Livestrong.com. To rehydrate dried cranberries for baking recipes, simply soak them in hot water, juice or other liquid. You don't need to soak dried cranberries overnight.

How do you dehydrate cranberries quickly? ›

To dehydrate cranberries in the oven, turn it on for 10 minutes at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Check your oven temperature before proceeding, to assure maximum drying of the fruit.

How long does dried cranberries take? ›

In a sealed container, dried cranberries can be stored up to one (1) year at room temperature. They must be kept in a cool, dark place. Dried cranberries may also be kept in the freezer for a period up to 1 year.

Why does my homemade cranberry sauce taste bitter? ›

Dear Evelyn: I had the same problem when I first started making my own cranberry sauce. I found out that you should cook them just until they pop. Further cooking will make them bitter, and once that happens, you need to start again.

How do you cut the tartness out of cranberry sauce? ›

Add A Splash Of Vinegar

Their sharp tang counteracts bitter flavors without having to add extra sugar. While citrus is a natural pairing for cranberry sauce, bright, savory vinegars like sherry vinegar, balsamic vinegar, and apple cider vinegar play well with the bitter-tart berries.

Why is my homemade cranberry sauce runny? ›

One possibility is that you may not have used enough sugar: Sugar helps the sauce firm up, so be sure to use the full amount called for in a recipe. Another possibility is that the cranberries need to boil for longer, releasing their pectin and ensuring a jelly consistency.

How to tell when cranberry sauce is done? ›

Pull the sauce off the stove once you hear or see the first few cranberries burst. You want some of them to burst but others to remain whole for the best texture. The sauce can be made up to 1 week in advance; keep refrigerated, and do not add the nuts until Thanksgiving Day, a few hours before serving.

How long does orange cranberry sauce last? ›

The sweet and tangy fruit compote can remain edible for up to two weeks if it's stored properly, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). If you don't think you can use your leftover cranberry sauce in that timeframe, it's best to avoid any temptation to freeze the canned version.

Can you eat too much cranberry sauce? ›

Cranberries and cranberry products are usually safe for most people if consumed in moderation. However, excessive consumption may cause stomach upset and diarrhea — and may also increase the risk of kidney stones in predisposed individuals.

Can I use dried cranberries instead of glace cherries? ›

For instance, if you don't care for glacé cherries, you can replace them with dried cranberries. Don't fret if you haven't managed to make the cake ahead of time either - it's still lovely when freshly baked.

What is similar to dried cranberries? ›

A good healthy alternative to dried cranberries is dried barberries. Considering the texture, colour and taste, dried barberries are a rather similar fruit to cranberries.

Are dried cherries or cranberries better for you? ›

Cranberries have been shown to help prevent urinary tract infections while tart cherries have been linked to better exercise recovery. Data has suggested that both help reduce inflammation.

Can I use cherry instead of cranberry? ›

Whether baking goods like muffins and cookies, or incorporating them into savory applications such as sauces and salads, dried cherries can seamlessly replace cranberries without compromising the integrity of the dish.

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