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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.
Related: Ready For Thanksgiving? Here’s How Many Bags of Cranberries You’ll Need
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.
Related: 70 Classic Thanksgiving Recipes That’ll Cover Your Whole Menu
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.
Related: Make it Ahead! Here are 21 Thanksgiving Recipes to Prep the Night Before
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.
Cranberry, Pecan and Goat Cheese Sweet Potato Bites
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
Cranberry Pork Loin
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
Cranberry and Brie Holiday Pull-Apart Bread
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
Zesty Orange Cranberry Relish
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
Cranberry Crush Cocktail
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
Spicy-Sweet Cranberry Meatballs
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
Turkey-Cranberry Sandwiches
Photo by: Getty
Ready in just five minutes, this is the leftover Thanksgiving sandwich recipe of your dreams.
Get the recipe: Turkey-Cranberry Sandwiches
Mini Cranberry Cheesecake Parfaits
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
Ginger-Apricot Cranberry Sauce
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
Homemade Cranberry-Walnut Sauce
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
Spicy Cranberry Chicken
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
BBQ Turkey and Stuffing Waffles with Crispy Onions and Cranberry-Jalapeño Mayo
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
Cranberry Turkey Chili
CALLIE BLOUNT
Leftover turkey and cranberry sauce star in this easy, one-pot chili.
Get the recipe: Cranberry Turkey Chili
Sam Sifton’s Classic Cranberry Sauce Recipe
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
Cranberry Sauced Margarita
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
Gingered Cranberry Sauce
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
Cranberry Blue Cheese Thumbprints
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
Shiitake and Rosemary Crusted Beef Tenderloin
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
Merlot Cranberry Sauce
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
Balsamic Cranberry-Fig Compote
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
Cranberry Turkey Bites
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
Chef Paul Wahlberg’s Caramelized Apple Cranberry Chutney
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
Sugared Cranberries
Alison Ashton
These sparkly berries are real showstoppers. Use them to garnish cakes, pies and cocktails.
Get the recipe: Sugared Cranberries
Grilled Turkey, Cranberry & Brie
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
Jellied Cranberry Relish
Parade
This recipe makes enough for a crowd, meaning it’s the perfect condiment for your holiday tablescape.
Get the recipe: Jellied Cranberry Relish
Cranberry French 75
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
Cranberry-Brie Puff Pastry Bites
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
Apple Cranberry & Walnut Smoothie
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
Whole Orange Ginger Cranberries
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
Leftover Open-Face Turkey-Cranberry Sandwich
Elysa Wietala
Simple but special, this spicy, cheesy leftover sandwich upgrade hits the spot.
Get the recipe: Leftover Open-Face Turkey-Cranberry Sandwich
Cranberry-Orange Pie
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
Cranberry-Orange Relish
Enjoy autumnal antioxidants with this tasty cranberry recipe.
Get the recipe: Cranberry-Orange Relish
Cranberry Cookies
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
Winter-Inspired Spiked Cranberry Lemonade
Cranberries and oranges with a hint of cinnamon make the base of this festive holiday cocktail.
Get the recipe: Spiked Cranberry Lemonade
Cranberry-Pecan Bread Pudding with Cranberry Whipped Cream
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
Cranberry Champagne Cocktail
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
Cranberry Ketchup
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
Cranberry Crumble
Photo by: Veer
Make sure your family leaves room for this warm, easy-to-make crumble.
Get the recipe: Cranberry Crumble
Apple-Cranberry-Pecan Fruit Salad
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
Cranberry Squares
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
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
Cranberry Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies
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
Sugared Cranberry Martini
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
Cranberry Lime Salsa
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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