44 Fresh and Dried Cranberry Recipes for Thanksgiving and Beyond

Parade

Mon, November 25, 2024 at 7:58 PM UTC

10 min read

Cranberry recipes are versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes, from appetizers to cocktails, adding a festive touch to holiday menus.
Dried cranberries can be a great addition to both sweet and savory dishes, such as oatmeal, salads, and even white rice, offering a unique twist to traditional recipes.
When planning a holiday menu, consider incorporating cranberry recipes for a pop of color and flavor, from appetizers to desserts, to create a memorable dining experience for guests.

It's that time of year! We're getting excited for the chance to brighten up holiday menus with any number of creative cranberry recipes. These pretty, deep red berries are loaded with tart, juicy flavor, making them the perfect foil on your Thanksgiving table (all that rich gravy!) and at Christmas too. Cranberry recipes are often a home cook's go-to when it comes to appetizers, like a cheese ball coated in dried cranberries, and festive cocktails, such as cranberry gin and tonics made with cranberry simple syrup. To get your Thanksgiving side dish menus in order, stock up on bags of fresh berries, which freeze beautifully for weeks, and dried ones, too, so you're ready to bake when the season starts.

Cute Cranberry Ideas for Holiday Drinks

When it comes to cranberry recipes, most folks think of cranberry sauce or cranberry walnut pie when they spot a bag of fresh cranberries. Or breakfast granola springs to mind when dried ones are in the pantry. But a whole world of other creative uses for cranberries exists beyond these common go-tos. For example, cranberries can (and should!) pop up on your home bar since these gorgeous orbs are delightful when spied in a cocktail glass and they stain drinks with a lovely ruby shade that's the epitome of holiday cheer.

You could consider muddling a few cranberries at the bottom of your mixing glass when making a Manhattan (add liquor and strain as usual). Or float a few cranberries on top of a glass of Prosecco or in a kir royale. And cranberry juice is ideal in a Christmas punch, along with an ice mold in the center of the bowl that contains frozen cranberries and orange slices.

Cranberry Recipes that Use Dried Berries

Dried cranberries may be an afterthought when you're deciding on which cranberry recipes to try this year. But remember, these rosy nuggets can do anything a raisin can—and maybe even better. Mix dried berries into your morning oatmeal or yogurt, or top a salad with cranberries, especially one made with baby spinach, sliced red pepper, walnut pieces and feta. Dried cranberries also add oomph to basic white rice (mix a handful in toward the end of the cooking time so they plump up a bit, along with toasted pine nuts and lemon zest). And don't forget to use dried cranberries in every kind of sweet this holiday season, from pies, muffins and quick bread to Christmas cookies made with white chocolate and macadamia nuts.

Thanksgiving and Christmas Menu Inspiration

Creating a holiday menu can be tricky since you don't want to repeat what you served last year and you need to consider certain food preferences and allergies. And then if you have a lot of kids coming to your house, you'll want to make dishes that appeal to young palates too. To help you get ready, start with your table setting . If you arrange your tablescape a day or two in advance, you'll feel more prepared. Next, your holiday bird , which is a very common centerpiece at Christmas as well as Thanksgiving. Side dishes are a big deal on both of these holidays as you need at least four or five if you've invited a sizable crowd. Lastly, the best part—dessert. These Christmas desserts and Thanksgiving sweets will please everyone at your table.

The Best Cranberry Recipes

Best Recipes with Fresh and Dried Cranberries

Cranberries are vibrantly red, a little tangy, a little sweet—and very versatile. They give both sweet and savory dishes a pop of red that instantly ups their festive feel, and they look so pretty on a Thanksgiving or Christmas table. Each preparation—raw, candied, or cooked—brings a new flavor profile. Make any one of these recipes featuring cranberries to liven up your holiday menus.

<p>Danae Halliday</p><p>Roasted sweet potato — Danae Halliday

Roasted sweet potato "coins" stand in for traditional crackers in this healthy and colorful holiday appetizer.

**Get the recipe:** **Cranberry, Pecan and Goat Cheese Sweet Potato Bites**

<p>Clare Barboza/Bonnie Matthews</p><p>This cranberry pork tenderloin recipe needs up to eight hours in a slow cooker for an amazing meal. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Clare Barboza/Bonnie Matthews

This cranberry pork tenderloin recipe needs up to eight hours in a slow cooker for an amazing meal.

**Get the recipe:** **Cranberry Pork Loin**

<p>Photo by Lauren Volo</p><p>Need a winning appetizer to kick off your holiday revels? Brie is always a good idea.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Photo by Lauren Volo

Need a winning appetizer to kick off your holiday revels? Brie is always a good idea.

**Get the recipe:** **Cranberry and Brie Holiday Pull-Apart Bread**

<p>iStock</p><p>Skip the canned cranberry sauce this year and wow your holiday guests with a savory, tangy and completely memorable cranberry relish.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — iStock

Skip the canned cranberry sauce this year and wow your holiday guests with a savory, tangy and completely memorable cranberry relish.

**Get the recipe:** **Zesty Orange Cranberry Relish**

<p>Pam Beth</p><p>Just as it ought to be, this Christmas cocktail offers something festive looking for your table, and of course, it tastes divine too.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Pam Beth

Just as it ought to be, this Christmas cocktail offers something festive looking for your table, and of course, it tastes divine too.

**Get the recipe:** **Cranberry Crush Cocktail**

<p>Alison Ashton</p><p>Make this spicy and sweet cranberry meatball appetizer up to two days ahead of the holiday—then just refrigerate the meatballs in their sauce. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Alison Ashton

Make this spicy and sweet cranberry meatball appetizer up to two days ahead of the holiday—then just refrigerate the meatballs in their sauce.

**Get the recipe:** **Spicy-Sweet Cranberry Meatballs**

<p>Photo by: Getty</p><p>Ready in just five minutes, this is the leftover Thanksgiving sandwich recipe of your dreams.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Photo by: Getty

Ready in just five minutes, this is the leftover Thanksgiving sandwich recipe of your dreams.

**Get the recipe:** **Turkey-Cranberry Sandwiches**

<p>Alison Ashton</p><p>These petite parfaits are easy to assemble and look spectacular. You can make the cheesecake up to two days ahead of time. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Alison Ashton

These petite parfaits are easy to assemble and look spectacular. You can make the cheesecake up to two days ahead of time.

**Get the recipe:** **Mini Cranberry Cheesecake Parfaits**

<p>iStock</p><p>It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without cranberry sauce! Acclaimed baker and cookbook author Dorie Greenspan spikes hers with ginger and dried apricots.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — iStock

It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without cranberry sauce! Acclaimed baker and cookbook author Dorie Greenspan spikes hers with ginger and dried apricots.

**Get the recipe:** **Ginger-Apricot Cranberry Sauce**

<p>iStock</p><p>Use this basic cranberry sauce recipe as a guide to finding what flavors you like in a cranberry sauce—the cranberry-walnut recipe variation is a winner! </p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — iStock

Use this basic cranberry sauce recipe as a guide to finding what flavors you like in a cranberry sauce—the cranberry-walnut recipe variation is a winner!

**Get the recipe:** **Homemade Cranberry-Walnut Sauce**

<p>Mark Boughton Photography / styling by Teresa Blackburn</p><p>This weeknight cranberry dish gets its deep ﬂavor from cranberry juice, honey and hot sauce. Prep and marinate the chicken the night before for a speedy supper.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Mark Boughton Photography / styling by Teresa Blackburn

This weeknight cranberry dish gets its deep ﬂavor from cranberry juice, honey and hot sauce. Prep and marinate the chicken the night before for a speedy supper.

**Get the recipe:** **Spicy Cranberry Chicken**

**Related:** **Best Leftover Cranberry Sauce Recipes**

<p>Mark Boughton Photography/Styling by Teresa Blackburn; Cindy Ord/Getty Images for George Foreman and BLACK+DECKER</p><p>Use a waffle iron to transform leftover stuffing into — Mark Boughton Photography/Styling by Teresa Blackburn; Cindy Ord/Getty Images for George Foreman and BLACK+DECKER

Use a waffle iron to transform leftover stuffing into "bread" topped with amped-up cranberry sauce and barbecue turkey .

**Get the recipe:** **BBQ Turkey and Stuffing Waffles with Crispy Onions and Cranberry-Jalapeño Mayo**

<p>CALLIE BLOUNT</p><p>Leftover turkey and cranberry sauce star in this easy, one-pot chili. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — CALLIE BLOUNT

Leftover turkey and cranberry sauce star in this easy, one-pot chili.

**Get the recipe:** **Cranberry Turkey Chili**

<p>Photo by: Andrew McCaul</p><p>Cranberries are one of the most festive treats of the holiday season, and nothing is better than maximizing the flavors with your own easy cranberry sauce.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Photo by: Andrew McCaul

Cranberries are one of the most festive treats of the holiday season, and nothing is better than maximizing the flavors with your own easy cranberry sauce.

**Get the recipe:** **Sam Sifton's Classic Cranberry Sauce Recipe**

<p>Photo courtesy of Puesto</p><p>Dining destination Puesto may be famous for its tacos, but their latest margarita recipe will prove that cranberries aren't just for Thanksgiving anymore.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Photo courtesy of Puesto

Dining destination Puesto may be famous for its tacos, but their latest margarita recipe will prove that cranberries aren't just for Thanksgiving anymore.

**Get the recipe:** **Cranberry Sauced Margarita**

<p>Photo by: Steven Mark Needham</p><p>Watch the clock: Cooking this sauce for more than 10 minutes is too long, meaning this is the quick cranberry sauce recipe of your dreams!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Photo by: Steven Mark Needham

Watch the clock: Cooking this sauce for more than 10 minutes is too long, meaning this is the quick cranberry sauce recipe of your dreams!

**Get the recipe:** **Gingered Cranberry Sauce**

<p>MARK BOUGHTON PHOTOGRAPHY / STYLING BY TERESA BLACKBURN</p><p>Take a break from the too-sweet treats crowding the dessert table with this cheese-and-cranberry cookie.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — MARK BOUGHTON PHOTOGRAPHY / STYLING BY TERESA BLACKBURN

Take a break from the too-sweet treats crowding the dessert table with this cheese-and-cranberry cookie.

**Get the recipe:** **Cranberry Blue Cheese Thumbprints**

<p>Jon Ashton</p><p>Featuring shiitake mushroom powder and cranberry juice, this is a delicious dinner you can enjoy all year round.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Jon Ashton

Featuring shiitake mushroom powder and cranberry juice, this is a delicious dinner you can enjoy all year round.

**Get the recipe:** **Shiitake and Rosemary Crusted Beef Tenderloin**

<p>Photo: Getty Images</p><p>You can make this easy recipe days in advance, and just de-fridge it on the day and dump it into a scenic bowl. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Photo: Getty Images

You can make this easy recipe days in advance, and just de-fridge it on the day and dump it into a scenic bowl.

**Get the recipe:** **Merlot Cranberry Sauce**

<p>Parade</p><p>This compote is like an upscale cranberry sauce and works well alongside the Thanksgiving turkey, on a cheese plate or as a garnish for desserts. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Parade

This compote is like an upscale cranberry sauce and works well alongside the Thanksgiving turkey, on a cheese plate or as a garnish for desserts.

**Get the recipe:** **Balsamic Cranberry-Fig Compote**

<p>Everyday Mom's Meals</p><p>This holiday appetizer is great because you buy some deli meat for the — Everyday Mom's Meals

This holiday appetizer is great because you buy some deli meat for the "before" and then the next day you use leftovers for the "after."

**Get the recipe:** **Cranberry Turkey Bites**

<p>Photo by Nate Bregoli</p><p>Wahlberg notes that this recipe, using fresh cranberries and apples, packs so much flavor and texture, it really makes for a delicious and more elevated alternative to canned, jellied cranberry sauce.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Photo by Nate Bregoli

Wahlberg notes that this recipe, using fresh cranberries and apples, packs so much flavor and texture, it really makes for a delicious and more elevated alternative to canned, jellied cranberry sauce.

**Get the recipe:** **Caramelized Apple Cranberry Chutney**

**Related:** **28 Tart-Meets-Sweet Cranberry Desserts We Can't Get Enough Of**

<p>Alison Ashton</p><p>These sparkly berries are real showstoppers. Use them to garnish cakes, pies and cocktails.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Alison Ashton

These sparkly berries are real showstoppers. Use them to garnish cakes, pies and cocktails.

**Get the recipe:** **Sugared Cranberries**

<p>Callie Blount</p><p>Anyone who thinks Thanksgiving leftovers are boring hasn't tried this gooey, tart-sweet post-holiday sandwich.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Callie Blount

Anyone who thinks Thanksgiving leftovers are boring hasn't tried this gooey, tart-sweet post-holiday sandwich.

**Get the recipe:** **Grilled Turkey, Cranberry & Brie**

<p>Parade</p><p>This recipe makes enough for a crowd, meaning it's the perfect condiment for your holiday tablescape.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Parade

This recipe makes enough for a crowd, meaning it's the perfect condiment for your holiday tablescape.

**Get the recipe:** **Jellied Cranberry Relish**

<p>Alison Ashton</p><p>Cranberries add a gorgeous ruby tint to this spin on a classic cocktail—top with cold Champagne just before serving.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Alison Ashton

Cranberries add a gorgeous ruby tint to this spin on a classic cocktail—top with cold Champagne just before serving.

**Get the recipe:** **Cranberry French 75**

<p>Photo by Mark Boughton / Styling by Teresa Blackburn</p><p>With just three ingredients (four, if you go for the rosemary garnish), you can serve up this bite-size savory-sweet appetizer.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Photo by Mark Boughton / Styling by Teresa Blackburn

With just three ingredients (four, if you go for the rosemary garnish), you can serve up this bite-size savory-sweet appetizer.

**Get the recipe:** **Cranberry-Brie Puff Pastry Bites**

<p>A Virtual Vegan</p><p>Give yourself a boost this holiday season—start the day with something healthy and nutritious.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — A Virtual Vegan

Give yourself a boost this holiday season—start the day with something healthy and nutritious.

**Get the recipe:** **Apple Cranberry & Walnut Smoothie**

<p>Photo by: Veganbaking.net via Flickr</p><p>For when you just need a quick option for the dinner table, this cranberry sauce will get the job done.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Photo by: Veganbaking.net via Flickr

For when you just need a quick option for the dinner table, this cranberry sauce will get the job done.

**Get the recipe:** **Whole Orange Ginger Cranberries**

<p>Elysa Wietala</p><p>Simple but special, this spicy, cheesy leftover sandwich upgrade hits the spot.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Elysa Wietala

Simple but special, this spicy, cheesy leftover sandwich upgrade hits the spot.

**Get the recipe:** **Leftover Open-Face Turkey-Cranberry Sandwich**

<p>Mark Weinberg</p><p>Move over, apple, pumpkin and pecan: This citrusy two-layer dessert is a flavorful addition to your holiday menu.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Mark Weinberg

Move over, apple, pumpkin and pecan: This citrusy two-layer dessert is a flavorful addition to your holiday menu.

**Get the recipe:** **Cranberry-Orange Pie**

<p>Enjoy autumnal antioxidants with this tasty cranberry recipe.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Enjoy autumnal antioxidants with this tasty cranberry recipe.

**Get the recipe:** **Cranberry-Orange Relish**

<p>Dried cranberries add zing to this sweet and chewy old-fashioned favorite.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Dried cranberries add zing to this sweet and chewy old-fashioned favorite.

**Get the recipe:** **Cranberry Cookies**

**Related:** **150 Thanksgiving Quotes To Feel Happy and Blessed This Year**

<p>Cranberries and oranges with a hint of cinnamon make the base of this festive holiday cocktail.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Cranberries and oranges with a hint of cinnamon make the base of this festive holiday cocktail.

**Get the recipe:** **Spiked Cranberry Lemonade**

<p>Andrew Purcell for Dash; Food styling, Carrie Purcell; Prop styling, Stephanie Hanes</p><p>Decadent and quite simple to prepare—you'll go back for seconds on this delicious cranberry recipe.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Andrew Purcell for Dash; Food styling, Carrie Purcell; Prop styling, Stephanie Hanes

Decadent and quite simple to prepare—you'll go back for seconds on this delicious cranberry recipe.

**Get the recipe:** **Cranberry-Pecan Bread Pudding with Cranberry Whipped Cream**

<p>Photo: Veer.com</p><p>If you prefer to make a non-alcoholic cocktail, substitute sparkling cider for champagne and orange juice for the orange-flavored liqueur.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Photo: Veer.com

If you prefer to make a non-alcoholic cocktail, substitute sparkling cider for champagne and orange juice for the orange-flavored liqueur.

**Get the recipe:** **Cranberry Champagne Cocktail**

<p>Photo by: Veer</p><p>Creating your own ketchup can be easy and fun, especially when you add tart and tangy cranberries.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Photo by: Veer

Creating your own ketchup can be easy and fun, especially when you add tart and tangy cranberries.

**Get the recipe:** **Cranberry Ketchup**

<p>Photo by: Veer</p><p>Make sure your family leaves room for this warm, easy-to-make crumble.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Photo by: Veer

Make sure your family leaves room for this warm, easy-to-make crumble.

**Get the recipe:** **Cranberry Crumble**

<p>Krista Marshall</p><p>This simple, yet scrumptious, fruit salad has all the flavors of fall in one dish.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Krista Marshall

This simple, yet scrumptious, fruit salad has all the flavors of fall in one dish.

**Get the recipe:** **Apple-Cranberry-Pecan Fruit Salad**

<p>Photo by: Getty</p><p>Your guests will go crazy for these scrumptious, easy-to-prepare cranberry squares. Serve them after dinner for a perfect sweet ending.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Photo by: Getty

Your guests will go crazy for these scrumptious, easy-to-prepare cranberry squares. Serve them after dinner for a perfect sweet ending.

**Get the recipe:** **Cranberry Squares**

Pumpkin- Cranberry Cornbread Muffins

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These muffins are slightly sweetened, they have the texture of cornbread, and the pumpkin and cranberry add an interesting flavor profile to the recipe.

Get the recipe: Pumpkin- Cranberry Cornbread Muffins

<p>Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen</p><p>These cookies are a crazy delicious holiday twist on classic chocolate chip cookies.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen

These cookies are a crazy delicious holiday twist on classic chocolate chip cookies.

**Get the recipe:** **Cranberry Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies**

<p>Teresa Blackburn</p><p>Whip up a pitcher of this festive sipper from <em>Parade</em> chef <strong>Jon Ashton</strong> and you'll be ready for any holiday gathering. Ginger ale, orange and sugared cranberries make this martini pop. Cheers!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Teresa Blackburn

Whip up a pitcher of this festive sipper from *Parade* chef **Jon Ashton**and you'll be ready for any holiday gathering. Ginger ale, orange and sugared cranberries make this martini pop. Cheers!

**Get the recipe:** **Sugared Cranberry Martini**

<p>Kalisha Blair</p><p>This cranberry lime salsa is perfect for holiday entertaining during this time of year, when cranberries are abundant—and on sale.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Kalisha Blair

This cranberry lime salsa is perfect for holiday entertaining during this time of year, when cranberries are abundant—and on sale.

**Get the recipe:** **Cranberry Lime Salsa**

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