Why Canned Cranberry Sauce Is Better Than Homemade

It's easier. No, homemade cranberry sauce is not difficult to make, but when you're in charge of Thanksgiving and have side dishes, gravy, biscuits, a turkey, and desserts to make, opening up a can saves valuable time.

(Credit: flickr/Nomadic Lass)

It's cheaper. Canned cranberry sauce costs $2.29 for a 14-ounce can, while a 12-ounce bag of cranberries costs $3.99. Add in the time you'd spend making the sauce plus any other ingredients you'd have to buy, and canned comes out as the clear winner.

(Credit: flickr/Pen Waggener)

Tastes great every time. The iconic flavor of canned cranberry sauce just does it for us. There's no shame in that. An additional bonus? There's no uncertainty each year as you try out new and crazy recipes.

(Credit: flickr/Stephanie Chapman)

No expiration date. Normally this isn't a good sign in a good fruit-based dish, but keep a can of the stuff in the pantry. No matter when you get a hankering for a Thanksgiving-style sandwich, you'll be ready.

(Credit: flickr/Kristen Taylor)

Julie Ruggirello is the Recipe Editor at The Daily Meal and a huge fan of canned cranberry sauce. Follow her on Twitter @TDMRecipeEditor.