How long does cranberry sauce last?
Cranberry sauce keeps for 1 to 2 weeks in the fridge once opened, for 2 years in the pantry. USDA lists 2 kinds of cranberry sauce; the first is shown here and all are in the table below.
canned
2 years
from the package date
1 to 2 weeks
after opening
No guideline
It is not recommend freezing cranberry sauce, as after thawing, it may become too watery.
All kinds of cranberry sauce, side by side
| Kind | Pantry | Fridge | After opening | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| canned | 2 years | no guideline | 1 to 2 weeks | no guideline |
| homemade | no guideline | 7 to 10 days | no guideline | no guideline |
No guideline: USDA gives no time for that place, usually because the food is not stored that way.
- canned: It is not recommend freezing cranberry sauce, as after thawing, it may become too watery.
- homemade: It is not recommend freezing cranberry sauce, as after thawing, it may become too watery.
How to tell cranberry sauce has gone bad
General signs for condiments, sauces & canned goods, the group USDA lists cranberry sauce under.
- Dented, bulging or rusted cans, especially at the seams
- Hissing sound or spray when a can or jar is opened
- Mould on the surface of a sauce or condiment
- Separation, discoloration or a sharp off smell from the jar
- Metallic taste or cloudy liquid in canned food
More on condiments, sauces & canned goods. The times above are quality guidelines, not safety limits; food that shows these signs goes out regardless of the date.
Storage habits that make the difference
Refrigerate opened condiments and sauces with their lids on tightly, and use a clean spoon each time to avoid contamination. Store unopened cans in a cool, dry cupboard, and once opened, transfer leftover canned food to a covered container in the fridge rather than storing it in the can.
More in condiments, sauces & canned goods
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). Times assume a fridge at 40 F (4 C) and a freezer at 0 F (-18 C). How we decode the data.