When Are Cranberries in Season?

Not to be divisive, but cranberries are underrated as heck. We love them once juiced and hold them sacred as Thanksgiving sauce, but when did you last throw some in a salad, bake some into a granola bar, or simply snack on some as a healthy nibble?

Enjoying them at their peak makes all the difference, so when is cranberry season? Here in the US, it runs from September through November. Americans consume 80 million pounds during the week of Thanksgiving alone!

That’s sure the time to stock up, and Fetch is here to help. Downloading the Fetch shopping rewards app to accumulate points and earn free gift cards already helps you get the most from each dollar spent. Now we’re going the extra mile with a quick look at everything from picking and storing cranberries to a few of our favorite cranberry recipes.

Get rewarded for healthy eating with Fetch Shop 

You’re already adding fresh produce to your grocery list each week, so why not get something in return for choosing to eat healthy? With Fetch Shop, you’ll earn points per dollar on the purchases you make at select stores when placing your order through the app, which means the more fruit and veggies you add to your list, the more rewards you’ll earn. Whether you’re scheduling a grocery pickup at Target using their Drive Up service or stocking up for a big get-together shopping online at Sam’s Club, you can turn your produce into Fetch points that can be redeemed for free gift cards when grocery shopping with Fetch Shop.

To earn rewards on fresh produce with Fetch Shop:

1. Download Fetch.
2. Open the app, and navigate to Fetch Shop; on your “Discover” (home) tab, you’ll find the Fetch Shop icon directly to the left of the camera icon at the bottom of your screen.
3. Once in Fetch Shop, scroll to the “Food & Drink” category, click where it says, “See all,” then find the grocery retailer of your choice, and select that store.
4. Tap “Go shopping!” and then simply grocery shop online as you would normally. And don’t forget to add those fruits and veggies to your cart to rack up even more points!

Do cranberries grow on trees?

Cranberries are an American original first used by the Native American population for food, medicine, and dye. We’re still the world’s leading cranberry producer, with 40,000 acres in the US dedicated to their cultivation each year.

Almost all our nation’s supply comes from Wisconsin, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington. They grow in freshwater bogs on low-lying vines rather than trees. Once ripe in September and October, farmers flood the land to bring cranberries floating to the surface for convenient harvesting.

How to pick cranberries at the grocery store

You can’t enjoy these tart superfruits at their best if you’re unsure how to tell if cranberries are ripe, so let’s kick things off by bringing you up to speed. A deliciously ripe cranberry will be:

• Shiny and plump
• Deep red with no brown spots
• Firm to the touch (they’ll actually bounce when dropped!)
• Completely smooth without blemishes or wrinkling

How to store cranberries

Cranberries can last up to three months when properly refrigerated in their original plastic packaging or a sealed airtight container. They quickly lose their freshness when left in the open air at room temperature, so keep chilled until you’re about to use them.

Freezing is a good option after buying in bulk to save on your groceries and can’t possibly use all your cranberries right away. They won’t stick together once frozen and don’t need to be rinsed. Just place them directly in the freezer in a sealed container to keep for up to 3 years.

How to eat cranberries

What with their ability to protect against everything from urinary tract infections (UTIs) to cardiovascular disease while improving your skin and soothing digestion, cranberries would make a smart addition to your diet even if they weren’t so delicious.

Fresh cranberries win out in terms of both flavor and health benefits, and you certainly won’t run short of ways to use them. Apart from popping a few in your mouth like blueberries or raspberries, you can:

• Add them to oatmeal
• Toss them into a salad
• Blend them into a smoothie
• Cook them into vegetable platters and other baked goods
• Preserve them as jam
• Juice them for a healthy drink

If you find them too tart (many do), simply chop them up and add a touch of sugar or other sweetener.

Can dogs eat cranberries?

Man’s best friend giving you the puppy dog eyes as you graze on some cranberries? You can toss a few down without worry. They’re safe enough in small quantities and provide a few health benefits. Moderation is the key since too many can disturb digestion and potentially lead to the development of calcium oxalate stones in your dog’s bladder.

Can cats eat cranberries?

Not only can cats eat cranberries, they should eat cranberries. They’re one of the most common fruits you’ll find on cat food labels and one particularly good at protecting their urinary tract health. Fresh cranberries also provide a source of moisture.

Reserve them as an occasional treat, starting with just a couple to see how kitty’s stomach reacts – too many can lead to tummy trouble. They’re fine raw, cooked, or dried, as long as no additives are present.

Try a few of our favorite easy cranberry recipes

Cranberries have long been labeled a superfood for their exceptional nutritional content, and they’re as valued by the culinary-minded as by the healthy eater. Here are just a few ways we love to use them each time cranberry season rolls around.

How to make cranberry juice

Fresh cranberry juice truly beats the fudge out of store-bought. Pardon our French – we’re just big fans of the fresh stuff, especially when making it is such a piece of cake. Here’s how to get in on the act.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of cranberries
• 4 cups of water
• ½ to 1 cup of sweetener (we like Nature Nate’s Honey, but sugar, agave nectar, or an artificial sweetener also work)

Recipe:

1. Combine water and cranberries in a large saucepan and bring to a low boil until cranberries pop (about 10 mins).
2. Place a strainer over a separate container and ladle in the cranberries. Press them gently with a spatula to make sure each has popped and the juices are flowing.
3. Once the juice has filtered through, add your desired sweetener, place in a jar, then refrigerate and enjoy within a few days. You can also transfer juice to a sterilized 1-quart canning jar while still hot to create a seal that’ll help it last for months in the fridge.

How to dry cranberries

Find yourself with an excess of cranberries as the season comes to an end? Dehydrated and lightly sweetened cranberries last up to 8 months, and it’s a breeze to dry them out. We’re especially fond of mixing a few into trail mix before heading out on a hike.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups of fresh cranberries
• ⅓ cup of confectioners’ sugar
• ⅓ cup of powdered sweetener
• 2 tablespoons of neutral tasting oil (we use avocado)

Recipe:

1. Preheat your oven to 200ºF, then line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cut cranberries in half, then add to a bowl with the sweetener and oil and toss to coat.
3. Spread evenly across the prepared baking sheet, separating each berry as best you can.
4. Dry in the oven for 3 hours, then remove and let cool.
5. Transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge.

How to make sugared cranberries

These delicious little devils come together with minimal effort from just three ingredients. Add them to your Thanksgiving repertoire for garnishing the pumpkin pie and treating friends and family to a tasty sweet-tart snack.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of fresh cranberries (frozen won’t work!)
• 3/4 cup of water
• 1 and 1/4 cups of granulated sugar, divided

Recipe:

1. Pour cranberries into a large heatproof bowl and set aside.
2. Add a 3/4 cup of sugar and your 3/4 cup of water to a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer, whisking until the sugar dissolves.
3. Remove pan from the heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
4. Pour the sugar syrup over your cranberries and stir to coat, then cover the bowl and set aside for 15 minutes.
5. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then use a slotted spoon to transfer over the cranberries.
6. Allow to dry uncovered for an hour.
7. Pour the remaining sugar into a large bowl, then add and toss the cranberries until coated.
8. Place sugared cranberries on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and allow to dry for at least an hour.
9. Store lightly covered at room temperature or in the fridge and use within a few days. If they start to look wet, feel free to toss with more sugar.

Use Fetch to make every grocery haul more rewarding

Fetch is here to help whether you’re scratching your head over how to budget a shopping list for one or need help selecting fruit and veg when they’re at their best, but our top priority is helping you earn rewards on all the things you’re already buying. Now you know when to get and how to use cranberries, be sure to download our grocery rewards app so you can complement those peak flavors with reward points on every dollar spent.