25 Amazing Cranberry Recipes (2024)

Please note: Posts may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. For more of our disclosure policy, click here. For more of our privacy and cookie policy, click here. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying Amazon.com Services LLC purchases.

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

● For more Christmas cookie recipes on Ann’s Entitled Life, click here.

● If you enjoyed this post, be sure to sign up for the Ann’s Entitled Life weekly newsletter, and never miss another article!

25 Amazing Cranberry Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What takes the bitterness out of cranberry sauce? ›

"Instead, start by stirring in one tablespoon maple syrup and one teaspoon of a sweet drink like apple juice, orange juice, or fruity white or red wine. Add more to taste. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt (in small amounts, it intensifies sweetness)."

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.

How many cranberries are needed to make one can? ›

The average number of cranberries used per can of sauce is 200. If you lay out all the cans of sauce consumed in a year from end to end, it would stretch 3,385 miles.

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.

How to jazz up cranberry sauce? ›

Top with dried or fresh fruits

Sure, you can go all meta with some dried cranberries or sliced fresh raw cranberries, but I also like to think about complementary flavors — dried cherries, dried mulberries, golden raisins, chopped apricots. All work great with cranberry sauce.

How do you take the tartness out of cranberries? ›

Anything from a drizzle of honey to agave, maple syrup, or molasses will also fare well. After a few minutes of maceration, the sour fruit juices will mix with the sugar and alleviate some of the cranberries' natural tartness.

What illness can cranberries prevent? ›

Cranberry is best known for preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs), commonly caused by bacteria known as Escherichia coli (E. coli).

What medications Cannot be taken with cranberry? ›

by Drugs.com

Cranberry may increase the anticoagulant effect from blood thinners like warfarin and lead to bruising or bleeding. If you take an oral blood thinner, check with your doctor before consuming large amounts of cranberry or cranberry juice.

Are cranberries good or bad for kidneys? ›

Another therapeutic limitation is that cranberry juice is rich in mineral salts such as oxalates, which can crystallize and result in the formation of kidney stones. As a result, people at high risk for kidney stones should avoid cranberry consumption.

Should fresh cranberries be refrigerated? ›

Fresh cranberries are usually good stored in the refrigerator for two weeks. If kept longer, you will find a gradual deterioration of quality with more soft or bruised berries. Berries can be stored in the original packaging in the refrigerator crisper for up to four weeks.

Can you eat too many cranberries? ›

Cranberries are generally safe, but they can sometimes lead to upset stomach and diarrhea when eaten in large quantities, especially by young children. Mayo Clinic cautions against drinking cranberry juice if you're on a blood-thinning medication, such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven).

Can you eat too many raw cranberries? ›

While eating raw cranberries is safe, too much of the fruit may cause stomach upset ( 5 ). If you're pressing raw cranberries into a juice, drink it in moderate amounts. One serving is typically considered 4 ounces (120 mL). Too much cranberry juice may cause stomach cramps or diarrhea, especially in children.

Why should cranberries not be eaten raw? ›

Yes, raw cranberries are safe to consume raw, but you probably don't want to eat them that way. "Cranberries are safe to eat raw. However, usually they are cooked and have sugar added because of the bitter and sharp taste they have when raw," says Kelly West Keyser, a registered dietitian in Alabama.

What is the healthiest way to eat cranberries? ›

Or you can purchase already frozen cranberries in your grocery store. If you're wondering how to use cranberries in your diet, some healthy ideas are to throw fresh or frozen cranberries into smoothies, oatmeal, salsa, or granola.

Are cranberries healthier than blueberries? ›

Blueberries contain more thiamin, niacin, and folate, while cranberries have more pantothenic acid. Pantothenic acid helps turn the food you eat into the energy you need. Cranberries have a total antioxidant capacity of 8,983 per cup.

How do you fix bitter cranberry juice? ›

My recommendation would be to warm it up a tad in a pot, mix in a little lime juice, about twice as much apple juice, and a pinch of sugar and salt. Pour it in a pitcher, add some ice cubes, and refrigerate.

How do you sweeten bitter cranberry juice? ›

Add agave nectar to the cranberry citrus mixture to your taste. I started with 1/2 cup and ended up with 1 cup of nectar to the 9 cups of juice. You could also use 1/2 cup of white sugar or 1/2 cup of honey for this. Just taste test as you go to achieve your desired sweetness.

Why are my cranberry bitter? ›

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.

How do you take the bitterness out of cranberry juice? ›

Fill jar 1/2 way with cranberries. Add 1/4-1/3 cup sugar depending on preference. Fill the rest of the way with hot water. Water bath for 15 minutes.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Ray Christiansen

Last Updated:

Views: 5974

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (69 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Ray Christiansen

Birthday: 1998-05-04

Address: Apt. 814 34339 Sauer Islands, Hirtheville, GA 02446-8771

Phone: +337636892828

Job: Lead Hospitality Designer

Hobby: Urban exploration, Tai chi, Lockpicking, Fashion, Gunsmithing, Pottery, Geocaching

Introduction: My name is Ray Christiansen, I am a fair, good, cute, gentle, vast, glamorous, excited person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.