Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (2024)

FAQs

How long can you keep fresh cranberries in the refrigerator? ›

Fresh cranberries are usually good stored in the refrigerator for two weeks. If kept longer, you will find a gradual deterioration of quality with more soft or bruised berries. Berries can be stored in the original packaging in the refrigerator crisper for up to four weeks.

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.

Fresh, raw cranberries can add a pleasant bite and burst of color to any dish. You can eat them whole like blueberries, toss them into a salad, add them to oatmeal, or blend them into a smoothie. If they're too tart for you, you can chop them and add a little sugar or any other sweetener.

Why can't I find fresh cranberries year round? Fresh U.S. cranberries are only harvested in the fall and are available at your local grocery store from September through January.

Berries can be stored in the original packaging in the refrigerator crisper for up to 4 weeks. Cranberries can also be stored frozen for up to one year. To use after freezing, rinse in cold water and drain well.

Frozen cranberries can often be used in recipes that call for fresh without even having to thaw. Some simple ways to use frozen cranberries include: Blend into smoothies. Make your own cranberry sauce (and then see our post regarding cranberry sauce uses)

If cranberries are frozen then removed from the freezer then thawed, they will have a soft texture and are usable for cooking and baking.

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. Cranberries will not stick together once they are frozen.

Eating raw cranberries is safe and easy, though their sharp, bitter flavor isn't for everyone. Be sure to clean and sort them thoroughly. You should also consume them in moderation, especially when juiced, as excessive amounts of juice may cause stomach upset or interfere with medications like warfarin.

The confusion comes from the harvesting method, also known as the “wet method.” The cranberry has four air pockets that allow the berries to float to the surface when the bog is flooded and they are cut from their vines. Once they are cut, they are then corralled and removed from the water via suction, as seen here.

Do I need to rinse fresh cranberries? ›

Avoid cranberries that look bruised or shriveled. Before use, rinse fresh or frozen cranberries and discard any that are damaged. It is not necessary to rinse before freezing, and there is also no need to clean dried cranberries. When cooking, heat cranberries just until they pop.

Granulated sugar (white or brown) is a good option, but you can also experiment with other sweeteners. Anything from a drizzle of honey to agave, maple syrup, or molasses will also fare well.

During this period, cranberries are at their peak freshness and availability, leading to lower prices due to the abundance of supply. However, as the harvest season ends, the availability of fresh cranberries decreases, causing prices to rise.

Most cranberries come from Wisconsin and Massachusetts

Just five states grow almost all of the country's supply of the tart berries: Wisconsin produces more than half of all cranberries in the United States, Massachusetts harvests another third, and New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington produce much of the rest.

Both fresh and dried cranberries are safe to feed to dogs in small quantities. Whether your dog will like this tart treat is another question. Either way, moderation is important when feeding cranberries to dogs, as with any treat, as too many can lead to an upset stomach.

Although cranberries are almost always prepackaged, look for firm, plump berries with a deep red color. Avoid shriveled or soft berries.

Soft, Shriveled, Wrinkled

This is a sign that they are old and dried out. Use them within a day or so or freeze immediately.

Fresh cranberries stored in the refrigerator are usually good for up to 2 weeks. We suggest freezing them if you are not going to use them within two weeks. Cranberries will freeze nicely and last up to one year.