Canned Cranberry Sauce Recipe

This Christmas, take the initiative to make canned cranberry sauce better with different ingredients to give it a new feel. Experiment with new things, and no one will know if it’s an upgraded version or made by you from scratch. 

cranberry sauce in a bowl

Cranberry Sauce From Can

Cranberry sauce is one of those things that I never really enjoyed until I got older. I remember having cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving, but it was just usually from a can and sliced.

It just didn’t look or sound very appetizing! As an adult, I have discovered how delightful a good cranberry sauce can be.

While I am a big fan of homemade cranberry sauce, I think that it can be really delicious when you make it from a can if you make a few adjustments!

Ingredients

  • 1 can whole berry cranberry sauce
  • 1 can jellied cranberry sauce
  • ¼ cup of orange juice
  • 1 tbsp orange zest
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • ½ tsp cloves
  • ¼ cup walnuts or pecans

How To Make Canned Cranberry Sauce Taste Homemade

  1. Drain the excess liquid from the cranberry sauce cans and place in a large saucepan. 
  2. Add remaining ingredients.
  3. Bring to a boil, constantly stirring for about five minutes. 
  4. Remove from heat and serve immediately or allow to cool if you’d like it to be more solidified.
canned cranberry sauce

What is Cranberry Sauce?

Cranberry sauce is a delicious sweet and sour sauce made from cranberries. It is a popular side dish or condiment with Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner.

Although traditionally, a cranberry sauce is made at home from fresh berries, today, it is also available in cans. The taste is more or less similar, but you can still jazz it up a bit to make canned cranberry sauce taste better.

Do You Need to Make Canned Cranberry Sauce Taste Better?

Cranberry sauce is traditionally served on Thanksgiving just like the Thanksgiving fruit salad. Although most people are probably okay with the canned stuff, jazzing it up a little to give it a personal flair will make it the star of the dinner table. In fact, it will make the canned cranberry sauce more exciting and flavorful. 

canned cranberry sauce in a pan

How to Loosen Canned Cranberry Sauce?

Firstly, you have to open the can. Next, you can slide a knife around the edges and rotate it in a circular motion so that the edges are loosened up. Another way of loosening the sauce is by heating the can slightly around the sides. With this technique, you can pour out the whole circular block out of the can.

How to Serve Cranberry Sauce?

You can serve cranberry sauce at any temperature. It is up to you. You can serve it hot, warm, or even cold. There is no hard and fast rule. It is a personal choice.

cranberry sauce in a can better (14 of 16)

Canned Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Yield: 10
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Additional Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

No time to make homemade cranberry sauce? Never fear - with a few simple adjustments, you can make canned cranberry sauce taste better than ever!

Ingredients

  • 1 can whole berry cranberry sauce
  • 1 can jellied cranberry sauce
  • ¼ cup of orange juice
  • 1 tbsp orange zest
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • ½ tsp cloves
  • ¼ cup walnuts or pecans

Instructions

  1. Drain the excess liquid from the cranberry sauce cans and place in a large saucepan. 
  2. Add remaining ingredients.
  3. Bring to boil, constantly stirring for about five minutes. 
  4. Remove from heat and serve immediately or allow to cool if you'd like it to be more solidified.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 111Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 3mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 1gSugar: 18gProtein: 1g

Please verify this information with your preferred nutrition calculator.

How long is canned cranberry sauce good for?

Once opened, canned cranberry sauce should be promptly refrigerated. In the refrigerator, it can generally be safe to consume for about 1 to 2 weeks. It’s important to store it in an airtight container to maintain freshness and prevent the absorption of odors from the fridge.

How long can canned cranberry sauce last in the fridge?

The shelf life of canned cranberry sauce depends on various factors, including the best-by date on the can, storage conditions, and whether the can has been opened. Once opened, canned cranberry sauce should be promptly refrigerated.

In the refrigerator, it can generally be safe to consume for about one week. It’s important to store it in an airtight container to maintain freshness and prevent the absorption of odors from the fridge.

Are There Many Ways To Make Canned Cranberry Sauce Better?

Yes, there are several ways to make canned cranberry sauce better. You can choose different ingredients according to your liking and experiment with them. Although orange juice and orange zest give it a unique flavor, you can also use lemon, lime, or even ginger. Again, the choice is yours. 

Do I Need To Add Sugar To Make Canned Cranberry Sauce Better?

Adding sugar to make canned cranberry sauce better is not necessary. A cranberry sauce is a perfect balance of tart and sweetness. Since the main hero is cranberry, its taste should shine through. However, you can make the flavor complex by adding other ingredients like orange juice.

canned cranberry sauce

What Spices Do You Use For Canned Cranberry?

For this recipe, we specifically used cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. However, you can play around with the amounts or omit them entirely if one of these doesn’t sound appealing.

What to serve with cranberry sauce?

Cranberry sauce is a versatile condiment that can complement a variety of dishes. Cranberry sauce is a classic accompaniment to roast turkey, particularly during holiday meals.

Serve cranberry sauce with roasted or grilled chicken. Whether it’s baked ham or grilled ham steaks, cranberry sauce provides a delightful contrast to the salty and savory taste of ham.  Include cranberry sauce as part of a cheese and charcuterie board. It pairs well with various cheeses, crackers, and cured meats.

Use cranberry sauce as a dressing or drizzle it over salads. It can add a burst of flavor to green salads or grain salads. 

Feel free to get creative and experiment with different combinations to discover your favorite pairings with cranberry sauce. Its versatility makes it a welcome addition to a wide range of dishes.

More Recipes You May Enjoy:

This canned cranberry sauce hack will make your next gathering just a little bit better! With the additional zestiness and flavors, you won’t even be able to tell it came from a can!

canned cranberry sauce

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One Comment

  1. Top notch, no cranberries after holidays, no worry, took two cans of whole berries followed recipe, and couldn’t tell difference from my homemade fresh at Thanksgiving, great recipe

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