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
![](https://www.uscranberries.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Cran_110806_2270a_preview-e1605255199466.jpeg)
- 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
Shelf Storage
![](https://www.uscranberries.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Fotolia_13190664_S-e1522867195687.jpg)
- 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](https://www.uscranberries.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/DriedCraberries.jpg)
- 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](https://www.uscranberries.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/FrozenBerries.jpg)
- 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](https://www.uscranberries.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/cannedcranberries.jpg)
- 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
- 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
- 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