It’s not Thanksgiving without certain side dishes on the table—including gravy, pumpkin pie and cranberry sauce. But which one should you make or will most folks clamor for the canned variety? We’re here to say that while the jellied stuff in the can is a definite classic, it’s also nice to have a second option at holiday meals.
Luckily, making your own cranberry sauce is pretty much a dump-and-stir event, which means even a teen could make it—or your sister who hates to cook. Read on for more about freezing cranberry sauce, what to do with leftovers (if any!) as well as storing this berry-red condiment safely. Here’s to a cozy and delicious Thanksgiving!
Related: Help! How Many Bags of Cranberries Do I Need For Thanksgiving?
Can you freeze cranberry sauce?
Homemade cranberry sauce, like any other jam or jelly you make, freezes very well. Just be sure to cool it completely before portioning it into containers. Seal your boxes tightly, label them with the date and then pop them in the freezer where they’ll keep nicely for two to three months.
What to do with leftover cranberry sauce
Leftover cranberry sauce goes way beyond next-day turkey sandwiches, though this is an excellent way to serve it. As for other easy ideas, it’s great on toast, especially with a layer of cream cheese underneath, and you can mix it into your morning bowl of oatmeal or yogurt. Leftover cranberry sauce is also delicious spread atop slices of pound cake, as a glaze for pork chops or spooned over a small wheel of camembert that’s been baked in the oven until molten.
Related: Need Some Thanksgiving Inspo? Here are 70 Recipes to Consider
How long does cranberry sauce last?
Unopened cans of commercial jelly-style cranberry sauce can last for a year or more in the pantry (you might even have one there from last Thanksgiving!). As for the homemade variety, however, if it’s covered well, cranberry sauce should last about 10 to 14 days in the fridge, meaning it’s an ideal make-ahead Thanksgiving side dish.
Is cranberry sauce good for you?
Cranberries contain fiber, vitamin C and antioxidants—all of which are smart if you’re trying to eat healthily. But because cranberries on their own are so tart, a large amount of sugar is usually added to sauce recipes. If you’re trying not to overindulge this holiday season or cut back on the sugar you consume, add a small portion of cranberry sauce to your plate.
Related: Go Beyond Cranberry Sauce With These 18 Unusual Recipes
How to thicken cranberry sauce
No one wants soupy cranberry sauce next to their stuffing and turkey! To fix this situation, be sure to use the amount of sugar that’s called for in the recipe since this will help to thicken it. And cook your cranberry sauce a little longer if it’s runny as cranberries contain pectin, a natural thickener, and this substance is released during the cooking process (and excess liquid will also boil away with more time). Still faced with a less-than-thick cranberry sauce? You can always add a thickener to it, like cornstarch or gelatin, to help it set up better.
If you’re looking for more cranberry sauce ideas, this decadent cranberry relish recipe infused with orange will make your other dishes sing on the buffet.
Ginger-Apricot Cranberry Sauce Recipe
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