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Learn how to freeze cranberries and have them ready for recipes year round. Quick and easy, inexpensive way to ensure you have frozen cranberries in the freezer when they are not available at the store.
Cranberries – I’ve been eating a lot of cranberries this fall. I love them! I made my favorite cranberry orange sauce, I made a bundt cake, smoothie, cheesecake cranberry punch and I’m very happy there are fresh cranberries available in the store right now.
In about a month, these will be gone.
That’s the time when frozen cranberries could be used.
Did you know how to freeze cranberries?
You probably did! But I’ll tell you my way of how to freeze them, so you can have them handy in the freezer year round.
Of course you can buy frozen cranberries, but they will cost you more and they are not available in all supermarkets in the US.
As I said US, because fresh cranberries are not popular in other parts of the world.
Coming from Europe, I can tell you that there are dried cranberries and cranberry juice there, but not fresh ones.
With this simple method of freezing, cranberries will remain loose in the freezer bag and not clumping together. I make a lot of smoothies and use frozen fruits and I’m not a fan of clumped berries.
What do you need to freeze cranberries?
- fresh cranberries
- freezer safe stay
- parchment paper
- freezer bags
How to freeze fresh cranberries?
- Get some fresh cranberries from the store.
- Wash with cold water and let them drain in a colander.
- Transfer cranberries to a kitchen towel and let them dry completely for 15-20 minutes.
- Line a freezer safe tray with parchment paper and spread cranberries in a single layer.
- Freeze for 2-4 hours, but no more than that, because they might get freezer burn.
- Transfer berries to freezer bags and seal. Place back in the freezer. They will be good for 10-12 months.
What to use frozen cranberries for?
Frozen berries are perfect for baking.
You can freeze yours in 6 or 12 oz batches, so it is easier to use in recipes.
My cranberry sauce recipe calls for 12 oz cranberries.
Make sure you chek it out, if you need a simple fool proof recipe for the holidays.
More Cranberry Recipes:
How To Freeze Cranberries
Video
Ingredients
- 2 12 oz bags of fresh cranberries, , or more if you’d like
- freezer bags
- parchment paper
Instructions
- Get some fresh cranberries from the store.
- Wash with cold water and let them drain in a colander.
- Transfer cranberries to a kitchen towel and let them dry completely for 15-20 minutes.
- Line a freezer safe tray with parchment paper and spread cranberries in a single layer.
- Freeze for 2-4 hours, but no more than that, because they might get freezer burn.
- Transfer berries to freezer bags and seal. Place back in the freezer. They will be good for 10-12 months.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I’ve never actually thought to freeze fresh cranberries, Mira! This is great! And I’m sure it’s much better than the frozen ones, too. Thanks for sharing!
I found loads reduced at the market the other day, so I bought them all and freezed them. I can’t wait to start using them.
I love that you can freeze cranberries! Thanks for teaching me how. Now I can stock up so I can have cranberries all year long!!
I love this idea!! I never thought about freezing these but it totally makes sense!! Thanks Mira!
I never thought to freeze my own cranberries, but you are right – those store bought frozen ones are a bit pricey! Thanks so much for this Mira – and Happy Thanksgiving!
I’ve never thought about freezing cranberries before, but this is a great idea and sounds like it isn’t that hard to do. Great tips!
Insightful! These babies are smoothie bound! Thanks, Mira! Enjoy your holiday!!
Cranberries. Oh man, when I think of them, I am definitely reminded of my father – there are always 193218492347 bags of frozen cranberries in the freezer at all times!
Hi. I live on Nantucket, which has one of the largest cranberries bogs. Normally I freeze my other fruit just the way you do here but cranberries should not be washed before freezing. You can just put the bag they come in right into a freezer bag or pour them in o make it easier to pour them out. Since they are already dry they will not stick. Washing them can lead to soft not firm berries when they thaw. Simply wash before using
Thanks Cheryl! I appreciate your comment and point of view, but for baked goods, I normally do not thaw and wash cranberries, that’s why I do wash them before freezing. And they are not soft from what I’ve seen. This is just my own way of doing it, I’m not saying this is the correct way. I just don’t feel comfortable using unwashed berries in a recipe that calls for frozen unthawed cranberries.
Wonderful idea Mira! This way we can enjoy cranberries throughout the year! 😀