Skip to content

raisins

ProduceYear-round. Raisins are a shelf-stable dried product available consistently, though fresh-crop raisins from the Northern Hemisphere are typically harvested and processed from August through October.

Rich in natural sugars (glucose and fructose), fiber, and polyphenol antioxidants. Raisins are also a good source of iron and contain compounds that may support bone health and digestive function.

About

Raisins are dried grapes produced by drying fresh grape berries (Vitis vinifera) in the sun or through mechanical dehydration. Originating in Central Asia and the Mediterranean region, raisins have been produced for millennia and remain a staple preserved fruit globally. The drying process concentrates natural sugars and reduces water content by approximately 75%, transforming green or dark grapes into wrinkled, chewy spheres that range in color from golden to deep brown or black, depending on grape variety and production method. Common varieties include Thompson Seedless (light brown, the most widely produced), Flame Seedless (dark), Muscat (larger, honey-scented), and Corinth raisins, which are small and tart. The flavor profile shifts during drying from fresh and crisp to deeply sweet with notes of caramel, honey, or concentrated fruit.

Culinary Uses

Raisins function as both a sweetening agent and textural element across numerous culinary traditions. They are essential in Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and Indian cuisines, appearing in pilafs, curries, baked goods, trail mixes, and breakfast cereals. In baking, raisins provide natural moisture and sweetness to breads, cakes, and cookies; they are commonly plumped in warm water or alcohol before use to enhance texture. Raisins also serve as a savory component in rice dishes, meat stews, and tagines, where their sweetness balances spices and rich proteins. Their concentrated sugars make them valuable in confectionery and energy bars.

Used In

Recipes Using raisins (335)

RCI-VG.005.0222.001

Stuffed Butternut Squash

Fruit & Vegetable Recipes II by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture, public domain governemnt resource—original source of recipe Serves: 6

RCI-MT.002.0285.001

Stuffed Easter Ham

Contributed by Delma at Catsrecipes Y-Group * Serves: 6

RCI-VG.004.1363.001

Stuffin Nut Stovetop Stuffing

Serves 2 – 4

RCI-MT.002.0288.001

Suckling Pig stuffed with Organs

In Romanian: Purcel de lapte umplut cu maruntaie

RCI-BR.005.0606.001

Sugar-free Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Ampere Estate in Arlington, Texas in 1981.

RCI-BR.004.0512.001

Sugarless Cake

Contributed by Amie Lee Hale from Louisiana Woman's Ministries (Assemblies of God)

RCI-BR.003.0400.001

Sugarless Fruit Nut Muffins

Sugarless Fruit Nut Muffins from the Recidemia collection

RCI-RC.004.0294.001

Sunny Citrus Salad

Makes 8 servings.

RCI-BR.001.0262.001

Swedish Cardamom Braid

* Source: Holiday Cookbook, Wedman

RCI-SN.004.0162.001

Sweet and salty snack mix

Sweet and salty snack mix from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.004.0790.001

Sweet Chicken Dinner

Sweet Chicken Dinner from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.003.0406.001

Sweet, Moist, Wholesome Zucchini Bread

Sweet, Moist, Wholesome Zucchini Bread from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.002.0184.001

Sweet Potato Casserole with Raisins and Cookies

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Makes 6 servings.

RCI-RC.001.0219.001

Sweet Rice I

Makes 6 servings.

RCI-BR.004.0520.001

Szarlotka (Polish Apple Cake)

Thick crusty apple cake, similiar to an apple pie, but with a tangier bite. Be warned, this makes a fairly large cake, you may want to halve the recipe for smaller functions.

RCI-BR.003.0416.001

Tea Scones

Tea Scones from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0627.001

Toaster-oven Soft Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Contributed by Delma at Catsrecipes Y-Group

RCI-RC.006.0135.001

Tofu and couscous

Tofu and couscous from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0536.001

Trinidad Black Cake

Fruit cake.

RCI-BR.003.0420.001

Trinidad Sweet Bread

*

RCI-DS.001.0579.001

Tutti-Fruitti Rice Custard

Makes 8 servings.

Ukrainian Christmas Kutya
RCI-RC.005.0093.001

Ukrainian Christmas Kutya

right|Ukrainian Christmas Kutya

RCI-SC.007.0335.001

Uncooked Cilantro Chutney

A spicy tropical relish for any vegetable, potato or curry. Source: © 2000 Dr.

RCI-DS.004.0300.001

Varm Frugtsuppe

Warm Fruit Soup - Serves 6 Warm Fruit Soup - Varm Frugtsuppe

RCI-RC.001.0229.001

Vegetable Hyderabadi Biryani

Contributed by Indiancuisineandculture Y-Gro

RCI-BR.004.0544.001

Vegetarian Cake

Vegetarian Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.001.0645.001

Waldorf Salad

created by Oscar Tschirky in 1890 at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, New York, New York, in the United States of America.

RCI-SN.003.0297.001

Walking Apple Salad

Walking Apple Salad from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.003.0319.001

White Christmas (New Zealand style)

For those non-NZers, Kremelta is the equivalent of the Australian "Copha" which is a white coconut based fat. Memories of primary school cooking classes...

RCI-BR.003.0433.001

Whole Wheat Scones

Contributed by Lilly at Catsrecipes Y-Group * 16 Scones

RCI-DS.001.0598.001

Windsor pudding

Windsor pudding from the Recidemia collection

RCI-RC.001.0238.001

Yak-Sik

Steamed Rice Pudding This recipe yields 10 servings.

RCI-BR.005.0662.001

Yam and Raisin Cookies

This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Mclean Estate in Irving, Texas in 1982.

RCI-SW.001.0112.001

Yummy Breakfast Sandwich

.

RCI-BR.005.0664.001

Zucchini Cookies

This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Pryor estate in Grapevine, Texas in 1996.