Frozen Cranberries

Can you freeze cranberries?

Cranberries are the perfect addition to your grocery list during autumn and winter. With a bunch of health benefits, cranberries are a low-key nutrient powerhouse that will make you want them even more than just on Thanksgiving Day. Try adding frozen cranberries to your diet year round!

As delicious as they are, you can easily freeze them to enjoy their delightful taste throughout the year in your smoothies, cakes, or as a tasty sauce as a side with your dinners. They are super easy to freeze and can easily stay in the freezer until you need to use them.

Frozen cranberries:

Our quick and easy guide will help you freeze your cranberries without clumping them, meaning you can easily take out the exact amount for your desired recipes. Let’s take a look at how you can freeze your cranberries.

How to freeze cranberries:

We’re aware of the strong taste of cranberries and how it can add flavor to your desserts, smoothies and as a sauce for your roasted dishes. Freezing cranberries is quite a simple task; however, if not done properly, they can get all squishy and unmanageable. But, with a little bit of work, you can freeze your cranberries perfectly. So grab your cranberries and pick one of these two methods to freeze them.

1. Wash and freeze fresh cranberries.
2. Freeze cranberry puree.

How to use frozen cranberries?

Vegan Meatballs with Cranberry Sauce

Pan Fried Tofu with Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry Fluff

Cranberry Blueberry Sauce

Banana Cranberry Bread

Cranberry Muffins

Let’s get into the details and decide on which method is more suitable as per your need!

How to freeze fresh cranberries?

Essentials for freezing fresh cranberries:

• Fresh cranberries
• Baking sheet
• Butter paper
• Freezer bag/container

1. Preparation:

To begin with, wash your cranberries properly and pick out any damaged or green cranberries. You just want to freeze the very best to treat your taste buds! Now drain out all the excess water and let them dry completely. Don’t forget to remove any leftover stems, as they can bother you later on.

2. Flash freeze:

Once your cranberries have dried, take a baking sheet or any flat bottom freezer safe pan with sides, spread parchment paper on it, and transfer your cranberries on it. Spread them in a single layer, making sure they’re not touching each other.

Put the baking sheet into the freezer, keeping it flat so that the cranberries don’t fall off. At this point, there’s no need to cover your cranberries, as they will only stay in the freezer for four hours. After this time, they will be mostly frozen.

3. Final freeze:

While the cranberries are in the freezer, prepare a container with a lid or a freezer bag. Label it with the contents and the date. After four hours, take out the cranberries from the freezer and transfer them from the tray to the container or bag. Properly seal the bag or container and place your cranberries back into the freezer for as long as you need them.

How to make cranberry purée:

Essentials for freezing cranberry sauce:

• Fresh Cranberries
• Water
• Blender
• Freezer bag/container

1. Purée:

Pop some fresh cranberries into a saucepan and add a bit of water. Simmer the cranberries for a couple of minutes so that they become soft and you can have a smoother blend. Don’t forget to remove any leftover stems before simmering. Now transfer the cranberries into a blender and blend for 10 minutes to achieve a nice thick consistency. After blending, simmer again and bring to a rolling boil.

2. Transfer to bag:

Once your cranberry puree is prepared, leave it to cool till room temperature. Prepare a freezer bag or an airtight container. Write the contents and date on it so that it’s easily identifiable. Transfer the cooled cranberry puree to the freezer bag or container and remember to leave some space inside for expansion once the puree freezes or else it will damage the bag or container and might leak as well.

3. Freeze:

Now put the freezer bag or container in the fridge before freezing and let it chill properly. Once chilled, put it in the freezer and leave it to freeze. You can easily keep it for four to five months. Defrost in the fridge for a day before using. Voila! Now you can enjoy cranberry puree in summer and spring as well.

More how to freeze fruits:

Strawberries

Plums

Apples

Do cranberries get mushy when thawed?

If cranberries are frozen then removed from the freezer then thawed, they will have a soft texture and are usable for cooking and baking. Adding frozen cranberries to recipes is often recommended. Cranberries that were recently purchased and never frozen that appear soft are past the ripened stage, and these berries should be sorted and not eaten.

Are frozen cranberries as good as fresh?

Yes, just like any other fruit or veggie, fresh or frozen cranberries are typically the best when it comes to nutrients. When cranberries are frozen, the nutrients are locked inside and you can enjoy a healthy treat. However, frozen cranberries are typically used for cooking and baking rather than eating them raw.

Can you freeze dried cranberries?

Yes, you freeze already dried cranberries in airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Properly stored, dried cranberries will maintain the best quality for about 12 to 18 months, but will remain safe beyond that time. However, dried cranberries that have been kept constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely. This is especially great if you choose to buy dried cranberries in bulk.

Conclusion on frozen cranberries:

Now you finally know how simple it is to freeze cranberries, follow all the quick and easy steps that we have started. Use your frozen cranberries in baking or as a side with your roasted dishes and enjoy!

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