25+ Cranberry Recipe Ideas

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

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).

4 photos using cranberries from recipes in roundup

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!

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.

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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.

Cranberry Sauce

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

Cranberry Orange Croissant French Toast

view of croissant french toast in white baking dish

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

4 muffins with drizzle of chocolate sauce

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

serving of baked oatmeal with cranberries on white plate

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

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

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

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

cooked chicken wings with pomegranate seeds

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

two mason jars of pink cranberry mustard

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

recatngular lentil loaf covered in layer of cooked cranberries

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

close-up of roasted sweet potato with cranberries

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

green beans with cranberries on large black serving dish

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

close-up of coloured rice with cranberries

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

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

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

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

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

small cheesecakes topped with cranberry sauce on plates

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

many small pies with star shape marzipan

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

Cranberry Orange Cheesecake Recipe

partial view of cheesecake with drizzle of chocolate sauce

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

close-up of gingerbread cake with cranberry garnish

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