25+ Cranberry Recipe Ideas (2024)

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Enjoy cranberries in a variety of dishes for brunch, appetizers, dinner and in desserts.

25+ Cranberry Recipe Ideas (1)

It’s cranberry season again and stores are beginning to stock bags of these beautiful festive berries (to be accurate, they are known as false berries).

Cranberries are incredibly versatile. We love the delicious tangy flavour they give to sweet and to savoury dishes, and the wonderful pop of colour they add to the table.

They are also incredibly nutrient rich, full of fibre and antioxidants, helping to fend off colds, lower the risk of urinary tract infections and decrease blood pressure.

Step into the festive season with these delicious cranberry recipes.

Whether you need inspiration for brunch, appetizers, dinner or dessert, there’s something for everyone, even the pickiest eater!

Try an easy cranberry sauce alongside roast turkey, or layered in sandwiches. How about combining cranberries with these succulent meatballs for a mouthwatering tangy sauce, and some finger-licking chicken wings in a cranberry pomegranate glaze.

Then if you love cakes, you must try the rich and flavoursome gingerbread cake, or the totally indulgent cranberry Christmas cake with easy to follow instructions.

Drop me a message below if you try any of these, I’d love to know how they turned out!

Jump to:
  • Cranberry FAQs
  • Orange Cranberry Muffins
  • Cranberry Sauce
  • Cranberry Orange Croissant French Toast
  • Cranberry Dark Chocolate Oatmeal Muffins
  • Cranberry Pomegranate Baked Oatmeal
  • Grain-Free Cranberry Orange Breakfast Cake
  • Cranberry Avocado Salsa
  • Savory Cranberry Meatballs
  • Sticky Chicken Wings with Cranberry Pomegranate Glaze recipe
  • Cranberry Honey Mustard
  • Mushroom Lentil Loaf with Cranberries
  • Chili Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Cranberry Maple Citrus Glaze
  • Green Beans with Cranberries, Bacon and Goat cheese
  • Lentils and Rice with Cranberries
  • Orange Sugared Cranberries
  • Cranberry Linzer Tart
  • Nantucket Cranberry Pie
  • Fresh Cranberry Shortbread Bars
  • Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes with Cranberry
  • Cranberry and Marzipan Pies
  • Cranberry Orange Cheesecake Recipe
  • Gingerbread Cake with Sugared Cranberries
  • Cranberry Christmas Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Icing
  • Healthy fresh cranberry smoothie with cinnamon and Pomegranate
  • Homemade Cranberry Juice
  • Cranberry Ginger Tea
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Cranberry FAQs

How to select fresh cranberries

Fresh cranberries should be deep-red with firm and glossy skins. Discard any that are soft and wrinkled.

Can they be eaten raw?

Cranberries can be eaten raw. Although rather bitter, they contain a higher level of vitamin C and other antioxidants than after cooking. Add them to salads, as a garnish or in juices.

How long will they stay fresh?

Store fresh cranberries in the crisper drawer in the fridge and they will keep for up to a month. They will spoil if left at room temperature after a couple of days.

Can they be frozen?

Fresh cranberries can be frozen and will retain their flavour and texture for up to a year, with the freezer set to -18℃/ 0℉. To freeze, place in a freezer bag and mark with the date. Discard any that are soft or damaged, and rinse well before using.

25+ Best Sweet & Savoury Cranberry Recipes

Get into the festive spirit with these delicious cranberry recipes for everything from brunch, appetizers, to meats, vegetarian dishes, sides, desserts, and drinks.

Orange Cranberry Muffins

25+ Cranberry Recipe Ideas (2)

These lightly spiced orange cranberry muffins are wonderfully light, fluffy, soft and simple to make.

Cranberry Sauce

25+ Cranberry Recipe Ideas (3)

This delicious 2-step cranberry sauce made with orange juice and cinnamon is perfect with turkey for the holidays!

Cranberry Orange Croissant French Toast

25+ Cranberry Recipe Ideas (4)

This baked cranberry orange croissant French toast is one of those dishes that comes out gourmet-looking and sophisticated, but is actually absurdly simple

Cranberry Dark Chocolate Oatmeal Muffins

25+ Cranberry Recipe Ideas (5)

Cranberry Dark Chocolate Oatmeal Muffins! With the combination of cranberries and dark chocolate and a touch of oats, these muffins are perfect for breakfast!

Cranberry Pomegranate Baked Oatmeal

25+ Cranberry Recipe Ideas (6)

This Cranberry Pomegranate Baked Oatmeal is bursting with flavor and the perfect way to use up those leftover cranberries. Or, it’s a great make-ahead breakfast option for the holidays!

Grain-Free Cranberry Orange Breakfast Cake

25+ Cranberry Recipe Ideas (7)

Grain-Free Cranberry Orange Breakfast Cake made with fresh cranberries and orange zest is a perfectly sweet treat that is healthy enough for breakfast or snack! This paleo cake recipe will knock your socks off and please your guests!

Cranberry Avocado Salsa

25+ Cranberry Recipe Ideas (8)

Cranberry Avocado Salsa – a beautiful holiday salsa with fresh, honey-sweetened cranberries and avocado. Completely addictive, and gorgeous on your party table

Savory Cranberry Meatballs

25+ Cranberry Recipe Ideas (9)

Savory cranberry meatballs are one of my favorite comfort food recipes. Homemade meatballs are tossed in a savory sauce made from shallots, cranberries, brown sugar, dijon mustard, garlic, and maple syrup to create a dish unlike anything you’ve tasted before.

Sticky Chicken Wings with Cranberry Pomegranate Glaze recipe

25+ Cranberry Recipe Ideas (10)

Pomegranates and cranberries take center stage in these delightful sticky wings, which make a stunning fall/winter dinner. The cranberry glaze adds a surprisingly sweet & sour layer of flavor – a nice vibrant berry twist on traditional sticky wings.

Cranberry Honey Mustard

25+ Cranberry Recipe Ideas (11)

Cranberry honey mustard is an easy to make and oh-so-delicious spread for numerous sandwiches but most especially those leftover Thanksgiving turkey sandwiches

Mushroom Lentil Loaf with Cranberries

25+ Cranberry Recipe Ideas (12)

A great meat-free and very festive meal for the holidays. Full of mushrooms, lentils and nuts it super tasty and great served with roast potatoes, gravy and all the trimmings!

Chili Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Cranberry Maple Citrus Glaze

25+ Cranberry Recipe Ideas (13)

Sweet potato rounds are dusted with chili powder and brown sugar and roasted in the oven until soft, sweet, spicy and caramelized. Then they’re topped with lots of chopped scallions and a warm ruby glaze made from fresh tart cranberries, orange juice, lemon juice, mustard and maple syrup. A great holiday side dish!

Green Beans with Cranberries, Bacon and Goat cheese

25+ Cranberry Recipe Ideas (14)

These green beans with cranberries, bacon and goat cheese are a healthy addition to your Thanksgiving table that doesn’t skimp on flavor.

Lentils and Rice with Cranberries

25+ Cranberry Recipe Ideas (15)

Lentils and rice with cranberries is a flavorful one pot meal that is a bit tangy, subtly sweet and savory. This easy, healthy and gluten free recipe makes a great thanksgiving side.

Orange Sugared Cranberries

25+ Cranberry Recipe Ideas (16)

Orange Sugared Cranberries are an easy sugared cranberries recipe with only 3 ingredients. They’re tart, sweet and a festive addition for holidays and gatherings!

Cranberry Linzer Tart

25+ Cranberry Recipe Ideas (17)

Cranberry Linzer Tart is a riff on the traditional tart made with raspberry filling. This tart is made with cranberry compote as the filling in place of the traditional raspberry preserves

Nantucket Cranberry Pie

25+ Cranberry Recipe Ideas (18)

Nantucket Cranberry Pie is a delicious addition to your holiday buffet! Fresh cranberries are folded into a batter with walnuts, and baked for an easy crust-less dessert

Fresh Cranberry Shortbread Bars

25+ Cranberry Recipe Ideas (19)

These Fresh Cranberry Shortbread Bars make a great Thanksgiving dessert or a beautiful addition to a Christmas cookie platter! Simple, buttery, and full of sweet-tart cranberry flavor, these wonderful bars have white chocolate and macadamia nuts to make them even more special!

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes with Cranberry

25+ Cranberry Recipe Ideas (20)

These mini pumpkin cheesecakes are moist and fluffy, full of pumpkin pie flavor then topped with a cranberry and pecan compote and white chocolate. They’re the ultimate fall dessert!

Cranberry and Marzipan Pies

25+ Cranberry Recipe Ideas (21)

The flavours associated with the festive season in a bite sized fruit tart.

Cranberry Orange Cheesecake Recipe

25+ Cranberry Recipe Ideas (22)

Enjoy this delicious holiday cheesecake that has a secret cranberry center. The flavors of the citrus and cranberries marry so well together.

Gingerbread Cake with Sugared Cranberries

25+ Cranberry Recipe Ideas (23)

This gingerbread cake is super moist and filled with the flavors of ginger, cinnamon, allspice, and molasses. The tart lemon glaze and sugared cranberries are the perfect compliment to the richness of the cake. If you like gingerbread that’s rich and flavorful, with a potent level of spice that’s also well-balanced, this is your recipe

Cranberry Christmas Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Icing

25+ Cranberry Recipe Ideas (24)

This Cranberry Christmas Cake consists of citrus flavoured sponge studded with fresh cranberries and iced with fluffy cream cheese frosting with a light flavour of orange

Healthy fresh cranberry smoothie with cinnamon and Pomegranate

25+ Cranberry Recipe Ideas (25)

Amazingly refreshing cranberry smoothie recipe! This cinnamon spiced cranberry pomegranate smoothie is naturally sweetened and a great way to get a healthy boost after the holidays.

Homemade Cranberry Juice

25+ Cranberry Recipe Ideas (26)

This easy homemade cranberry juice is made with fresh or frozen cranberries and water. No juicer or blender needed!

Cranberry Ginger Tea

25+ Cranberry Recipe Ideas (27)

Easy and healthy cranberry tea, made with ginger, orange, and fresh cranberries. This beautiful tea is great all winter long, adding some much needed colour!

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25+ Cranberry Recipe Ideas (2024)

FAQs

How much cranberry sauce for 25 people? ›

If you're making fresh cranberry sauce, plan on at least 1/4 cup per person—more if your family really likes cranberry sauce. I usually make about 1/2 cup per person and find I have plenty left over for a few days of slathering cranberry sauce over everything.

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.

What pairs well with cranberry? ›

cranberry
  • Thyme (Orange) citrus. grassy. woody. floral.
  • Sage (Common) savory. menthol.
  • Rosemary. savory.
  • Mexican Tarragon. citrus. anise. sweet.
  • Zaatar Marjoram. woody. floral.
  • Marigold Flower. citrus. grapefruit. grassy.
  • Epazote. oregano. anise. gasoline.
  • Basil (Purple Ruffles) cinnamon. anise. menthol.

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.

How much pasta sauce do I need for 25 people? ›

Dry Pasta and Sauce Per Guest Chart
GuestsDry Spaghetti (oz)Sauce (cups)
204010.0
255012.5
306015.0
357017.5
16 more rows

How many people does a 12 oz bag of cranberries serve? ›

What is the typical serving size for cranberries? If you check the back of a bag of fresh cranberries, you'll see that a serving is 1/2 cup and a 12-ounce bag serves seven. The thing is, it's uncommon to eat fresh cranberries straight up, and cranberries break down and burst when you cook them.

What not to mix with cranberry? ›

Possible Interactions
  • Warfarin (Coumadin): Cranberry may raise the risk of bleeding, especially if you already take medications to thin the blood such as warfarin. ...
  • Aspirin: Like aspirin, cranberries contain salicylic acid. ...
  • Other medications: Cranberry may interact with medications that are broken down by the liver.

What kind of cheese pairs well with cranberries? ›

Pairing Notes

The 5 year aged cheddar pairs well with dried cranberries because of their tart slightly bitter taste, contrasting with the smooth cheese.

Can cranberry help with stomach? ›

Stomach health.

Antioxidants in cranberry juice, particularly A-type proanthocyanidins, can help prevent the growth of a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori that causes stomach ulcers. Drinking cranberry juice may help reduce infections of this bacteria.

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 healthier raw or cooked? ›

What is the healthiest way to eat cranberries? Fresh, raw cranberries are the healthiest. If they're too sour for you, you can still enjoy sweetened versions as part of a healthy diet. Eat dried cranberries with low-sugar foods, such as plain yogurt, oatmeal, or nuts.

Is cranberry good for the kidneys? ›

Other studies have shown that cranberry supplements improved kidney function in people with early-stage kidney disease. However, a review of 12 studies found no significant evidence to support the use of any cranberry product for the prevention or treatment of kidney disease.

How many cups of sauce per person? ›

When calculating how much sauce for pasta per person, generally about 2 to 4 ounces (1/4 to 1/2 cup) of sauce for each 2 ounce (about 1 cup cooked) serving of pasta would be needed. For pesto sauces, use about one jar of 5.6-ounce sauce for a 16-ounce package of pasta.

How many people eat cranberry sauce? ›

Collectively, Americans consume five million gallons of cranberry sauce during the holidays each year. This side dish has become essential to Thanksgiving menus, whether you opt to buy it (as 76% of Americans do) or make it yourself.

How many cups are in a 12 oz bag of cranberries? ›

HOW MANY CUPS OF FRESH CRANBERRIES ARE IN A TYPICAL BAG? One 12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries will yield about 3 cups whole or 2-1/2 cups chopped.

How many gallons of sauce do I need for 100 people? ›

A serving portion of spaghetti sauce is one half of a cup, so based on that, you would need close to six gallons. That said, if you're doing the job right, a half cup serving isn't gonna cut it. Eight to ten gallons should do it.

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