How Long Does Leftover Cranberry Sauce Last?

It's not Thanksgiving unless there are some cranberries on the table. It doesn't matter how you like them, be it in a smooth, store-bought jelly sauce or a homemade, whole-berry sauce, there's one question that becomes key post-Thanksgiving dinner: how long does leftover cranberry sauce last? After all, leftover Thanksgiving sandwiches are pretty much the best thing about the holiday, am I right? You know I'm right.

Cranberry sauce adds that perfect hint of sweetness to an otherwise savory leftover sandwich. Seriously, it's hard to describe the tastebud bliss that occurs when the turkey, stuffing, and gravy perfectly mush into the deep, red cranberry sauce we all know and love so much. Add in the crunch of some toasted slices of bread and a little spread of mayonnaise... sigh... and I'm drooling just thinking about it.

Make your post-Thanksgiving meals are just as spectacular as your original Thanksgiving dinner was, by keeping an eye on your leftovers. Food doesn't last forever, and cranberry sauce is unfortunately included in that statement. Luckily, if you've got the appetite and the proper meal-planning skills, nothing will go to waste this November, including cranberry sauce in all of its sweet and smooth, jellied glory.

How Long Will It Last?

According to StillTasty, opened cranberry sauce will last 10 to 14 days in the refrigerator, which means you can enjoy those Thanksgiving leftover sandwiches for up to two weeks! If you don't think you'll make it through all of your leftover cranberry sauce in those two weeks, you can store it in the freezer for one to two months. While foods kept at 0 degrees Fahrenheit are considered "safe indefinitely", if you want to enjoy your cranberry sauce at its best quality, it's important to take it out of the freezer during those first two months.

How Should You Store It?

If you're opting to keep your cranberry sauce in the fridge, make sure you keep it in a covered container. ShelfLifeAdvice suggests keeping it in an air-tight container, specifically. As for those of you who are freezing your leftovers, heavy-duty freezer bags work perfectly if you don't want to sacrifice an air-tight container to the freezer for a couple of months.

Happy snacking, cranberry fans!

Images: Claudia Lommel/Stocksy; Giphy