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dried cranberry sauce from dried cranberries in a small bowl with a cinnamon stick in it.
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Cranberry Sauce Using Dried Cranberries

Make easy, delicious cranberry sauce using dried cranberries. This quick Thanksgiving recipe needs pantry staples and takes just 15 minutes.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Diet Vegan, Vegetarian
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 122kcal
Author Adina

Equipment

  • Small saucepan
  • Wire whisk
  • Small bowl

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups sweetened dried cranberries 200 g, Note 1
  • 1 orange zest and juice, Note 2
  • ¾ cup cranberry juice or apple juice, 180 ml
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar 50 g
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 small stick cinnamon or ½ of a regular-sized one, Note 3
  • 2-3 cloves
  • 1 small star anise
  • small pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper, to taste
  • 1 tiny pinch of salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch Note 4
  • 2-3 tablespoons cold water

Instructions

  • Simmer: Place cranberries, orange zest and juice, cranberry or apple juice, sugar, apple cider vinegar, and all the spices in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for about 10 minutes or until the cranberries plump up.
    1 ½ cups sweetened dried cranberries / 200 g + 1 orange + ¾ cup cranberry juice / 180 ml + ¼ cup granulated sugar / 50 g + 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar + 1 small stick cinnamon + 2-3 cloves + 1 small star anise + small pinch of red pepper flakes + 1 tiny pinch of salt + ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • Optional: Mix cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl. Use enough water to have a thick yet pourable paste.
    1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch + 2-3 tablespoons cold water
  • Whisk the slurry into the sauce and stir until thickened about 1 minute. The sauce will thicken more as it cools.
  • Serve immediately, or let the cranberry sauce cool slightly and transfer it to a jar. Reheat before serving.

Notes

  1. Cranberries: Craisins and dried cranberries are the same thing; craisins are a trademarked name for a specific brand Ocean Spray produces. If using unsweetened cranberries, you might need to add more sugar (to taste).
  2. Orange: Using an unwaxed orange is preferable, as you will also need its zest.
  3. Spices: You can use only cinnamon or all the suggested spices. Alternatively, experiment with spices like a pinch of nutmeg, cardamom, allspice, or ginger. You could also use a bit of pumpkin spice or even carrot cake spice.
  4. Cornstarch: Thickening the sauce with cornstarch is optional. You can leave the sauce as it is or cook it for a few extra minutes to reduce it a bit more.

Nutrition

Serving: 1portion from 8 | Calories: 122kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 0.4g | Saturated Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 51mg | Potassium: 66mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 50IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 0.3mg