Dried Cranberries Spoon

Storing and Preparing Cranberries in Your Kitchen

Cranberries are simple to use in any form, readily available year-round and easy to keep on-hand. They have a long shelf life, minimizing spoilage and the associated costs. To ensure safe food practices, always use the First-In-First-Out (FIFO) storage procedure to make use of older products first.1 When using cranberries in foodservice, here is the food safety and preparation information you need to know.


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Refrigerator and Freezer Storage

Shelf Storage

  • Refrigerate opened cranberry sauce, juice and fresh or thawed cranberries in a covered, labeled and dated nonmetallic container1
  • Store frozen cranberries for up to 18 months in a freezer at 0°F or below2
  • Store unopened cans, bottles of juice, and dried cranberries in a cool, dry place1
  • Never expose cans to extreme temperatures; do not store above a stove, under a sink, or in a damp area1

Dried Cranberries

Dried Cranberries
  • Pour onto a salad bar right from the bag, decreasing labor time and costs
  • Dried cranberries do not require soaking before use in recipes

Fresh or Frozen Cranberries

Frozen Berries
  • Frozen cranberries do not need to be defrosted before use
  • When cooking cranberries, remove from heat as soon as they pop to keep a firm texture

Canned Cranberry Sauce

canned cranberries
  • Use a clean cloth to wash the lids before opening
  • Use a sanitized can opener
  • Cranberry sauce can be used at room temperature or chilled

REFERENCES

  1. Food and Nutrition, North Dakota State University. Food Safety Basics A Reference Guide for Foodservice Operators. Updated January 2017. Retrieved from: https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/publications/food-nutrition/food-safety-basics-a-reference-guide-for-foodservice-operators#section-9
  2. Food Safety and Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Freezing and Food Safety. Updated 15 June 2013. Retrieved from: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/safe-food-handling/freezing-and-food-safety/CT_Index