I don’t know about you, but I always end up with lots of extra cranberry sauce after a holiday dinner. It’s one of those side dishes that’s hard to gauge how much to make or buy, therefore I over-compensate and have enough available for an army. Plus, who wants to eat a turkey sandwich the next day without cranberry deliciousness? Not me! So really, I’m completely justified in making more than anyone could possibly need in one meal.
Related: 64 Best Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes
And here’s the thing, cranberry sauce is super versatile. It can be used in baked goods, stews, salsas, scooped on cheese, dips and so many other fun things. As a kid we made thumbprint cookies the day after a holiday, with leftover cranberry sauce scooped in the middle and icing to top them off. The sweet-tart mixture was always a welcome treat.
Related: 10 Best Leftover Turkey & Chicken Casserole Recipes
If you find yourself with extra cranberry sauce this holiday season, here are 14 ways to reinvent your cranberry sauce leftovers into something new and delicious, from Cranberry Pistachio Baked Brie and Cranberry Cornmeal Waffles with Cider Syrup, to Leftover Cranberry Sauce Parfaits. Click the “Launch Gallery” button above or below to check them all out.
14 Delicious Uses for Leftover Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry Almond Greek Yogurt Cake
Lovely Little Kitchen
A whole cup of leftover cranberry sauce brightens up this cozy, tender bundt cake.
Get the recipe: Cranberry Almond Greek Yogurt Cake
Cranberry Cornmeal Waffles with Cider Syrup
Dessert for Two
The best breakfast to make with leftover cranberry sauce.
Get the recipe: Cranberry Cornmeal Waffles with Cider Syrup
Cranberry Orange Coffee Cake
Noble Pig
Make a delicious treat by swirling in leftover cranberries and making this Cranberry-Orange Coffee Cake.
Get the recipe: Cranberry Orange Coffee Cake
Cranberry Pistachio Baked Brie
Gimme Some Oven
You only need 6 ingredients (including leftover Thanksgiving cranberry sauce) to make this elegant appetizer.
Get the recipe: Cranberry Pistachio Baked Brie
Cranberry Pork Stew
Noble Pig
Adding cranberry sauce to hearty meat stews will add a surprising, but oh-so welcoming, dose of subtle sweetness.
Get the recipe: Cranberry Pork Stew
Leftover Cranberry Sauce Apple Crisp
Just a Taste
Transform a side dish into a dessert? You better believe it! This quick and easy recipe stars a simple crisp topping crumbled over green apple slices tossed with leftover cranberry sauce.
Get the recipe: Leftover Cranberry Sauce Apple Crisp
Leftover Cranberry Sauce Muffins
Two Peas & Their Pod
A big spoonful of cranberry sauce is tucked in between the muffin batter before you bake them. The final baked goods are sweet, tart, and totally delightful!
Get the recipe: Leftover Cranberry Sauce Muffins
Leftover Cranberry Sauce Parfaits
Well Plated
Simply layer yogurt, leftover cranberry sauce, golden honey, and your granola of choice, and boom! You have an insanely delicious, quick breakfast or snack for any time of the day.
Get the recipe: Leftover Cranberry Sauce Parfaits
Leftover Turkey-Cranberry Monte Cristo Sandwiches
Noble Pig
Leftover turkey and cranberry sauce join forces to create next-level deliciousness with these Leftover Turkey-Cranberry Monte Cristo Sandwiches.
Get the recipe: Leftover Turkey-Cranberry Monte Cristo Sandwiches
Sweet Potato Pancakes with Cranberry Maple Syrup
Do yourself a favor and top your pancakes with maple syrup and cranberry sauce. You’re welcome!
Get the recipe: Sweet Potato Pancakes with Cranberry Maple Syrup
The Ultimate Leftover Turkey Club
Oh Sweet Basil
Meet the platonic ideal of the day-after-Thanksgiving sandwich.
Get the recipe: The Ultimate Leftover Turkey Club
Turkey Cranberry BBQ Pizza
Recipe Runner
Creative cooks, listen up! Take all of your leftovers and create something new, which is exactly what you can do when you make this pizza.
Get the recipe: Turkey and Cranberry BBQ Sauce Pizza
Cranberry Cream Cheese Turkey Sandwich
Kitchen Nostalgia
You need to make this sandwich with your leftover cranberry sauce. Toasted bread is spread with cream cheese and cranberry sauce and sprinkled with red chili pepper flakes to add a little kick and a nice touch of warmth. It all gets tops with leftover turkey.
Get the recipe: Cranberry Cream Cheese Turkey Sandwich
Turkey, Smashed Avocado, Cranberry, Brie and Mashed Potato Waffle Melts
Half Baked Harvest
Also known as the ultimate Thanksgiving Leftover Melt.
Get the recipe: Turkey, Smashed Avocado, Cranberry, Brie and Mashed Potato Waffle Melt
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