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.
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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.
Can you freeze leftover homemade cranberry sauce? ›
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.
How long is homemade cranberry sauce good for in the freezer? ›
Always remember to label and date your cranberry sauce for freezing so you know when it's good to use-by. Homemade cranberry sauce will freeze beautifully for about 3-4 months. Due to its water content, we don't recommend freezing it for more than a couple of months.
How to store homemade cranberry sauce? ›
How to Store Homemade Cranberry Sauce
- To refrigerate, transfer to a covered glass or plastic container, and it'll keep for 10 to 14 days.
- To freeze, transfer to a covered, airtight container or freezer-safe bag, and it'll stay fresh-tasting in your freezer for about 1 month.
Lift up the can while gently shaking it so that the contents comes out of the can onto the plate. Tip the cranberry sauce onto its side. Serve as is or slice it into even slices and fan them out artistically before serving.
How long does homemade cranberry sauce stay fresh? ›
Properly stored, homemade cranberry sauce will keep in the refrigerator for 10 to 14 days. If you'd like to keep it for longer than that, pour the sauce into covered airtight containers or freezer-safe bags and freeze.
Can you freeze cranberries in the bag? ›
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.
Can I freeze cranberry sauce in a jar? ›
The sauce does freeze well and can be frozen for a month in an airtight container. Freeze the sauce as soon as it has cooled to room temperature and thaw overnight in the fridge before using. Once the sauce has been defrosted it should be kept in the fridge and used within a week.
How do you know if cranberry sauce has gone bad? ›
Most varieties should last a full year if the can remains dent-free, but keep an eye on that "best before" date to be safe. If you open the can and the sauce appears discolored, or the smell or taste seems off, go ahead and toss it.
Is homemade cranberry sauce good for you? ›
We can see there is a significant difference in the nutrition facts between the two sauces. 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!
Instead, store it in an airtight plastic or glass container with a lid that fully seals so that it doesn't start to grow mold and so the flavors remain as fresh as possible for a canned food. As a reminder, your fridge should be set at 40 F or lower, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Is canned cranberry sauce good for you? ›
Health Benefits
Cranberries are also rich in vitamin C and fiber, as well as the metabolism-boosting mineral manganese. And yes, you reap all these benefits whether the cranberry sauce on your holiday table is homemade or canned, jellied or whole-berry.
Can you put an unopened can of cranberry sauce in the refrigerator? ›
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.
Is homemade cranberry sauce better than canned? ›
Everyone found the biggest difference between the two to be texture; the homemade sauce had a distinct Jell-O springiness. The Health Nut: Store-bought. "The homemade's flavor is a little more mild and the texture more gelatinous, which isn't what I'm looking for in a cranberry sauce." The Foodie: Store-bought.
Can you reheat homemade cranberry sauce? ›
To reheat, stir in 1 tablespoon of water per cup (100g) of cranberries into the bowl and reheat in the microwave as needed. Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed.
Should homemade cranberry sauce be served warm or 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.
Can I freeze fresh cranberry? ›
Cranberries freeze well when properly stored. They retain their color, good flavor and quality for eight to 12 months. Maintaining a temperature of zero degrees Fahrenheit or below is recommended by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Can you freeze orange juice? ›
Can you freeze orange juice? In short, yes.
How long can you freeze fresh cranberries? ›
Freezer. Cranberries can be stored for up to three (3) years in the freezer. When in sealed packaging, they can be placed directly in the freezer. You can also place them on a metal baking sheet to freeze them, then transfer them to individual bags and return them to the freezer for future use.
Can you freeze opened cranberry juice? ›
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.
