How Long Does Cranberry Sauce Last?

How long does cranberry sauce last? Canned cranberry sauce will last for at least 1-2 years beyond the date stamped on the can. Please see our table for other forms of cranberry sauce. The shelf life of cranberry sauce depends on a variety of factors, such as the best by date, the preparation method and how the cranberry sauce is stored.

Cranberries are high in vitamin C and many say they help to prevent and cure urinary tract infections. Cranberry sauce, the most popular use of cranberries, is a staple at Thanksgiving. Most cranberries are produced in Wisconsin, but only 5% of them are sold fresh with the rest being turned into sauce, juice, or dried.

So, how long does cranberry sauce last? When properly stored, the shelf life of cranberry sauce past its sell by date is approximately...

How Long Does Cranberry Sauce Last?

Cranberry Sauce Expiration Date

(Unopened) Pantry Fridge Freezer
Past Printed Date Past Printed Date Past Printed Date
Fresh Cranberries last for 3-4 Days 1 Month 1 Year
Canned Cranberry Sauce lasts for 1-2 Years 1-2 Years --
Cranberry Juice lasts for 6-9 Months 6-9 Months 9-12 Months
(Opened) Pantry Fridge Freezer
Canned Cranberry Sauce lasts for -- 7-10 Days 1 Month
Fresh (Homemade) Cranberry Sauce lasts for -- 7-10 Days 1 Month
Dried Cranberries last for 2-4 Years 2-4 Years Indefinite

Of course, cranberry sauce lasts for a shorter period of time if it is not stored properly. But remember that cranberry sauce, like a lot of other fruits, usually have a best before date and not a use by date or an expiration date. Because of this distinction, you may safely use cranberry sauce to compliment your turkey even after the best before date has lapsed.

How to tell if Cranberry Sauce is bad, rotten or spoiled?


Sight is usually the best way to tell if your cranberry sauce has gone bad. For canned sauce, if the top of the can is rounded and dome shaped instead of flat across, the sauce has most likely gone bad. If you open the can and anything is brown or black, then do not eat the sauce.


How to store Cranberry Sauce to extend its shelf life?

You can help cranberry sauce stay fresh longer by storing it in the pantry where the temperature is always less than 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Once opened, if a can of cranberry sauce has leftovers, be sure to remove it from the can and place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Fresh whole cranberries can be frozen in their original bag for a year but freezing cranberry sauce is not recommended as it will become very watery.


Interesting facts about Cranberry Sauce:

  • A cup of fresh cranberries has about 50 calories while a cup of cranberry sauce has about 400 (but the bitter taste disappears thanks to all that sugar!).
  • Ocean Spray best-by dates are in the format 11Mar13. The first 2 digits are the day, next 3 letters the month and the last 2 are the year.
  • How long is Cranberry Sauce good for when prepared in a dish?

    How long does cranberry sauce last? That depends. How long does turkey last? In general, the sauce will last as long as the quickest expiring ingredient in the prepared dish.

    What are our shelf life resources?


    *An important note about expiration dates...


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