25 Amazing Cranberry Recipes (2024)

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Cranberry recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; there is more to cranberries than just traditional sauce. Try one of these 25 Amazing Cranberry Recipes this holiday season!

Cranberries aren’t just for Thanksgiving dinner! Try one of these delicious cranberry recipes anytime they are in season. From co*cktails to cheesecake, from cookies to side dishes, there is a tasty and easy-to-make cranberry recipe your whole family will enjoy.

25 Amazing Cranberry Recipes

From wiki: Cranberries are low, creeping shrubs or vines up to 2 meters (7 ft) long and 5 to 20 centimeters (2 to 8 in) in height;[5] they have slender, wiry stems that are not thickly woody and have small evergreen leaves. The flowers are dark pink, with very distinct reflexed petals, leaving the style and stamens fully exposed and pointing forward. They are pollinated by bees. The fruit is a berry that is larger than the leaves of the plant; it is initially light green, turning red when ripe. It is edible but with an acidic taste that usually overwhelms its sweetness.

In 2020, the United States, Canada, and Chile accounted for 97% of the world’s production of cranberries.

The Best Cranberry Sauce Recipe – ever! This super easy-to-make fresh cranberry sauce is simply delicious. If you ever thought that making your own cranberry sauce was difficult, disabuse yourself of that notion as nothing could be further from the truth. I was shocked at not only how easy cranberry sauce is to make but how much better it tastes than pre-made or canned cranberry sauce. If you are looking for an easy, delicious cranberry recipe, this is it!

Apple Apricot Beet Cranberry Sauce Recipe | Farm Fresh Feasts
A colorful side dish of cranberries with roasted beets and dried apricots simmered in a sweetened apple cider/orange juice broth.

Sugared Cranberries Recipe – These sugared cranberries are amazingly addictive. Use these easy-to-follow instructions to make your own sugared cranberries which are perfect for recipe garnishes, co*cktails, gifts, or simply eating as candied fruit.

Apple Cranberry Crisp Recipe | The Farm Girl Gabs
This apple cranberry crisp is the perfect blend of sweet and tart. It’s a perfect fall dessert, especially when topped with vanilla ice cream.

Vintage Cranberry Jello Recipe – Whip up a tried and true classic Jello recipe and make this vintage cranberry jello for dinner tonight! Layers of tart pineapple, cranberry, cream cheese, and walnuts combine to make the perfect cranberry dessert or side dish. Take your friends and family back a few decades and bring this terrific cranberry Jello recipe to your next get-together or holiday dinner.

Cranberry and Dried Cherry Relish Recipe | Savoring Time in the Kitchen
If regular cranberry sauce is a little too tart for you, give this recipe a try – it’s delicious! This is easy to make and can be made ahead of time too.

Cranberry Bliss co*cktail | The Cranberry Bliss co*cktail is the perfect drink to serve at your holiday parties and get-togethers. Enjoy the sweet-tart taste of cranberry this holiday season with this delicious holiday beverage.

Cranberry Breakfast Cookies Recipe | Tried and Tasty
Cranberry Breakfast Cookies – cookies for breakfast, it’s true! These cookies have healthy ingredients that will get you through until lunch.

Cranberry Noels Cookie Recipe – Slightly chewy, slightly crunchy and totally delicious, these Cranberry Noels Cookies are a wonderful holiday cookie, perfect for a snack, after dinner dessert or as a welcome addition to a holiday cookie tray.

Cranberry Honey Butter Recipe | Farm Fresh Feasts
This compound butter is tangy and slightly sweet, terrific on seasonal veggies, desserts, or bread. It’s a terrific last-minute homemade addition to a Thanksgiving or holiday meal.

Easy Carrot Cranberry Salad Recipe – This is one of the easiest holiday salads you can make! When you are looking for a simple-to-make side dish to serve, give this wonderful Easy Carrot Cranberry Salad Recipe a try!

Cranberry Brie Brushetta Recipe | Mama Likes to Cook
Whether you get it out of a can or make it from scratch, this super easy recipe makes it easy to finish off that last bit of cranberry sauce in a delicious way.

Cranberry Orange Cupcakes with Peppermint Frosting – Jazz up a plain boxed cake mix for a festive holiday treat! These easy-to-make cupcakes and simple peppermint frosting recipe will make people think you slaved all day in the kitchen instead of just minutes. These fun and delicious Cranberry Orange Cupcakes with Peppermint Frosting are a wonderful holiday dessert.

Fresh Cranberry Scones Recipe – Two Peas and Their Pod
If you are looking for a special breakfast treat, try these fresh cranberry scones on for your holiday morning repast.

Mini Cranberry Orange Cake Recipe – This festive holiday dessert recipe is so easy to make! Only you will know the base is a boxed cake mix; your friends and family will marvel at your creativity while devouring these delicious Mini Cranberry Orange Cakes.

Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake Recipe | Suburbia Unwrapped
A cranberry and orange bundt cake that is perfect for your holiday dessert table.

No-Bake Cranberry Cheesecake Parfait Recipe – A delicious, no muss, no fuss cheesecake parfait the whole family will enjoy. For special occasions, holidays, or after-dinner desserts, this No-Bake Cranberry Cheesecake Parfait is sure to hit the spot when you are craving an easy-to-make sweet.

Cranberry Pear Turnovers Recipe – Fork, Knife, Swoon
A generous dollop of cranberry pear sauce is tucked inside light, buttery layers of puff pastry, baked to golden oblivion, and dusted with feathery powdered sugar. It’s sweet and tart pastry heaven.

Orange and Cranberry Steamed Carrots Recipe – This simple to make side dish recipe dresses up fresh carrots to perfection. Whether you make it for the holidays or for a family dinner, this Orange and Cranberry Steamed Carrots Recipe pairs well with turkey, pork, chicken, and beef – a wonderful accompaniment to your dinner entrée!

Pork and Cranberry Stuffing Recipe – A scrumptious, easy to make holiday stuffing your family and guests are sure to enjoy. Mixing the great taste of pork and cranberry, this slightly sweet dressing is a great compliment to your ham or turkey dinner.

Spiced Cranberry Butternut Squash Recipe – Spice up your butternut squash with this delicious, easy to make cranberry and butternut squash recipe. A nice autumn side dish that is perfect for pairing with pork, turkey, or chicken. This would be a great recipe for Thanksgiving or for a family dinner.

Cranberry Orange Fudge Recipe Cranberry and orange is a terrific pairing, and this sweet, creamy, and delicious fudge recipe incorporates that fantastic taste combination for a perfect holiday fudge recipe. Using just five ingredients, this fabulous cranberry orange fudge recipe comes together quickly. This is a wonderful holiday sweet treat.

Cranberry Sauce Cheesecake Recipe – This delicious cheesecake is perfect for holiday dinners, parties, and get-togethers. It is a creamy and delectable cheesecake with just a touch of tartness and spice from the gingerbread crust. Go ahead, and delight your taste buds with this Cranberry Sauce Cheesecake this holiday season!

Cranberry Mimosa Drink Recipe – This cranberry mimosa drink is a festive holiday beverage. This is a perfect holiday drink for your holiday brunch, it can also be served at co*cktail parties, to ring in the New Year, or for any other holiday celebration you may have.

Holiday Cranberry Sangria Recipe – Need a fantastic sangria recipe for a holiday get-together or party? This holiday cranberry sangria recipe is light and refreshing yet packed with flavor and oh-so-easy to make! It is the best sangria recipe for holiday celebrations; a real crowd-pleaser.

First Published: October 30, 2014

Last Updated: November 15, 2022

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25 Amazing Cranberry Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How do you jazz up canned cranberries? ›

Adding a teaspoon or two of fresh lemon or orange zest, a tablespoon of chopped candied peel, or even a splash of juice to your canned sauce will brighten flavors and bring in some homemade flavor.

How many raw cranberries should I eat a day? ›

HOW MUCH CRANBERRIES TO EAT DAILY? Studies confirming the health-promoting properties of cranberries have typically used doses of 100-300 g of fresh cranberries, equivalent to 7-10 g of dried cranberries, and 100-150 ml of 100% cranberry juice.

Is it good to eat cranberries everyday? ›

Cranberries and cranberry products are usually safe for most people if consumed in moderation. However, excessive consumption may cause stomach upset and diarrhea — and may also increase the risk of kidney stones in predisposed individuals.

What cranberries do for your body? ›

Cranberries provide a good source of various vitamins and antioxidants. Historically, Native Americans used cranberries as a treatment for bladder and kidney diseases, while early settlers from England used them to treat poor appetite, stomach complaints, blood disorders, and scurvy.

Are you supposed to cook canned cranberries? ›

It's perfectly fine to serve up cranberry sauce — whole berry or jelled — straight out of the can. But in my experience, heating the canned sauce up takes its flavor to the next level. Plus, it becomes a little more aesthetically pleasing.

How do you eat canned cranberries? ›

The traditional way to serve canned cranberry sauce is to slice the cylinder into rounds and arrange them on a platter. Go a step further by adding a garnish like sugared rosemary or candied ginger. Or, cook the canned sauce with orange juice and zest for a citrusy take on a holiday standby.

Are cranberries healthier than blueberries? ›

The cranberry is also a contender when it comes to antioxidant content. While wild blueberries outperform them when it comes to measuring both antioxidant capacity and cellular antioxidant activity, cranberries pack their own health punch.

Are cranberries anti inflammatory? ›

Cranberries have anti-inflammatory effects, thanks to their high amounts of antioxidants, especially anthocyanins and flavanols, which give cranberries their dark hue. “Antioxidants have been shown to reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases because they can help lower inflammation in our bodies,” says O'Neill.

What is the healthiest way to eat cranberries? ›

There are lots of ways to add this fruit to your diet. Some varieties, such as dried cranberries, cranberry juice, and canned cranberry sauce, are available year-round. The healthiest way to enjoy cranberries is to eat them fresh. Raw cranberries take about 16 months to fully mature and are gathered in early fall.

Why should cranberries not be eaten raw? ›

Is it safe to eat cranberries raw? Cranberries are generally considered safe whether they are cooked or raw. However, because of their notoriously bitter, sharp taste, most people prefer not to eat them raw or unsweetened. This bitterness is due to the high tannin content of cranberries.

When should you not eat cranberries? ›

Cranberry has relatively high levels of oxalate, chemicals that may raise the risk of kidney stones in some people. If you have kidney stones, talk to your doctor before taking cranberry supplements or drinking a lot of cranberry juice. DO NOT use cranberry if you already have a UTI.

What illness can cranberries prevent? ›

Cranberries contain a substance that can prevent bacteria from sticking on the walls of the bladder. This may help reduce bladder and other urinary tract infections (UTIs). Cranberries (usually as cranberry juice) have been used to try and treat UTIs, particularly in high risk groups such as older people.

Do cranberries reduce belly fat? ›

Cranberry juice, which is rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, can be a healthy addition to a nutritious diet and a substitute for sugary sodas, but it will not give you a flat stomach on its own. Incorporate cranberry juice into your diet and exercise regimen for best results.

What are the side effects of eating cranberries? ›

Cranberries come under the category of GRAS (generally regarded as safe), but consumption in large amounts can cause upset stomach and diarrhoea in young children. Concentrated extracts of cranberries contain a high amount of oxalates. Oxalates are a risk factor for kidney stones when consumed in high amounts.

Do cranberries clean your stomach? ›

Digestive Health

Compounds called proanthocyanidins provide cranberries' vibrant color and also work as antimicrobial agents. They can help prevent bad bacteria, such as E. coli, from colonizing your gut and may also strengthen the gut barrier and reduce inflammation in and around your digestive tract.

Is canned jellied cranberry sauce good for you? ›

Health Benefits

Cranberries are also rich in vitamin C and fiber, as well as the metabolism-boosting mineral manganese. And yes, you reap all these benefits whether the cranberry sauce on your holiday table is homemade or canned, jellied or whole-berry.

What can I mix with cranberry juice to make it taste better? ›

I sweetened my juice with honey which adds a sweet floral touch to the beverage. I also use a couple of freshly squeezed oranges which gives the juice a nice hint of citrus flavor. I'm sure apple juice or apple cider would work well too.

Is canned cranberry sauce better than homemade? ›

While there are some editors who prefer homemade cranberry sauce, the canned variety also has quite a following. "There's something so beautifully perfect about the texture of canned cranberry sauce, and none of those homemade mess will ever compete," says Senior Digital Food Editor Kimberly Holland.

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