Thanksgiving wouldn’t be the same without that jiggly red cranberry sauce. But hopefully we’ve all moved away from the canned stuff and started playing around in our own kitchens. As it turns out, cranberries are actually an incredibly versatile ingredient, good for way more than just topping the turkey. So, in honor of the end of National Cranberry Month (October — who knew?) and the beginning of our Thanksgiving countdown (yup, it’s up next), here are 24 sweet and savory cranberry recipes.
1. Cranberry Banana Oatmeal Pancakes: What better way to start the day than with pancakes? These provide a healthy breakfast thanks to ground oats and natural sweetness from the bananas. (via Yummy Addiction)
2. Cranberry Orange Scones: Start your day off right with a flaky scone packed full of citrus flavor. (via Ashley Marie’s Kitchen)
3. Chocolate Maple Granola With Quinoa and Cranberries: Talk about a mouthful! Mix this ingredient-packed granola with yogurt or milk for a delicious and nutritious breakfast. (via The Hungry Hounds)
4. Spicy Cranberry Pepper Jelly: This jam looks sweet but it’s got a spicy kick. Slather it on a creamy cheese and be prepared for max yums. (via Kitchen Heals Soul)
5. Cranberry Pecan Bread: Looking for a quick and easy sweet bread to eat for breakfast (and get your house smelling like an elf bakery)? Look no further. (via The Spice Train)
6. Turkey, Cranberry, Avocado and Grilled Brie Sandwich: There are few things tastier than a grilled cheese with bonus creaminess from rich avocado. This sandwich, spiked with tartness from the homemade cranberry sauce, is one of them. (via Foodie Crush)
7. Cranberry and Cauliflower Flatbread: Sure the combo sounds crazy, but trust us, this is the perfect blend of sweet and savory. (via Sugar Et. Al.)
8. Thanksgiving Leftovers Quesadilla: Tired of the same old leftover turkey sandwich? Shake things up with this crispy cheesy quesadilla. (via The Cookie Rookie)
9. Cranberry and Smoked Almond Quinoa Salad: This light and hearty side features a flavorful blend of cranberries, smoked almonds, floral basil and creamy goat cheese. (via The Housewife in Training)
10. Apple Cranberry Chicken Salad: Top your favorite toast with this creamy and tangy chicken salad. You could even use leftover turkey in place of chicken for a post-Thanksgiving treat. (via Domestically Blissful)
11. Cranberry Thyme Dip: Serve this creamy dip with some pumpkin crackers for an autumnal appetizer everyone will love. (via The Spice Train)
12. Cranberry Ginger Pear Fizz: Need a super easy co*cktail to kick off the holidays? Try our delicious cranberry fizz, with plenty of spiciness from ginger beer and flavor from rosemary. (via Brit + Co)
13. Cranberry Vinaigrette: Top your traditional Thanksgiving salad with this bright pink vinaigrette. Fresh thyme and walnut oil give it a delicate richness without being overly heavy. After all, you still have tons of turkey to eat! (via Healthy Seasonal Recipes)
14. Cranberry Chipotle Barbecue Ribs: Tangy berries replace the traditional vinegar in a spicy-sweet homemade barbecue sauce. It’s slathered on ribs for a delicious fall take on a classic. (via Foodess)
15. Sweet Potato Cranberry Biscuits: Everyone wants to add light and fluffy biscuits to their Thanksgiving table, but these have the added bonus of seasonal ingredients like tart cranberries and savory sweet potatoes. (via From Calculus to Cupcakes)
16. Turkey Burgers With Cranberry Slaw: While this recipe might be more appropriate for making on the grill in summer, it’s also a fresh way to reminisce over warmer days as the weather gets cold. (via Yummy Addiction)
17. Pecan Chicken With Cranberry Goat Cheese Sauce: A tangy and unusually bright pink cream sauce takes regular chicken breasts from simple to extraordinary. (via Running to the Kitchen)
18. Roasted Acorn Squash With Walnuts and Cranberries: Whether you serve this festive dish as a simple fall dinner side, or pump it up for a main with some ground beef and rice, nothing beats an edible squash bowl. (via Let The Baking Begin)
19. Ricotta, Pear and Cranberry Pie: The ricotta-honey filling bakes up around the fruit to create a thick, almost custardy pie. Top with cranberry compote for an extra burst of sweetness. (via Rolling Spoon)
20. Cranberry Pear Sorbet: This light dessert couldn’t be easier to whip up. It’s tart and sweet from cranberries and citrus and could easily be the perfect finish to a fancy fall dinner. (via Real Food and Ice Cream)
21. Gingerbread Pumpkin Trifle With Cranberry Pomegranate Sauce: Um, ready for this holiday dessert explosion?! Mix and match your own favorite ingredients in this colorful winter trifle. We love the contrast here between creamy pudding, soft and chewy pound cake and tart cranberries bursting with juice. (via A Spicy Perspective)
22. Cranberry Nantucket Pie: If you have an abundance of cranberries, fill a pie pan with them, then top with an almond cookie-like pastry for a unique and tasty dessert. (via The Pioneer Woman)
23. Lemon Cranberry Pie Bars: A perfect midafternoon snack or after-dinner dessert, these super tart bars are made with a gooey lemon filling and sweetened cranberries for a light but decadent treat. (via So How’s It Taste)
24. Cranberry Dark Chocolate Biscotti: Wrap up a meal with this crunchy, not-too-sweet dessert. A drizzle of dark chocolate never hurt anyone! (via Pinch of Yum)
What cranberry recipes are you dying to try? Whether it’s the perfect sauce or a simple cake, tell us in the comments below!
Nora Landis-Shack
Nora is a writer, photographer, foodie and feminist. After living in New York City for 23 years, she recently moved San Francisco and can't wait to explore. When she's not pursuing her interests in health and technology, she loves hiking, yoga, playing piano and squealing over kittens as an ASPCA volunteer.
