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Love seeing fresh cranberries pop up in the grocery store? Make the most of these tart beauties with these sweet and savory cranberry recipes, perfect for the holiday season and beyond.
I love cranberries and get so excited when I see them start to pop up in the produce section of the grocery store every fall. That’s always my signal to start thinking about new cranberry recipes to share with you all.
I know that most people think of them as a Thanksgiving or Christmas ingredient, but let’s think beyond the bowl of cranberry sauce. These tart berries have so much flavor, it’d be a shame not to make the most of them!
Making the most of cranberry season
Cranberries are a staple many holiday gatherings. Most of us get introduced to these tart little berries in the form of cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving dinner, but there’s so much more to enjoy about them!
Desserts are the obvious go-to for cranberries, but did you know they’re delicious in savory recipes, too?
From slathering cranberry sauce onto turkey sandwiches (such as turkey and cranberry sliders) to adding dried cranberries to your favorite salads, their tart sweetness is perfect for pairing with savory flavors.
And honestly? I’m a big fan of them outside of the holiday season, too.
Storing fresh cranberries
Dried cranberries are easy to find year-round. Fresh cranberries can be a lot harder to find outside of the winter months.
Occasionally you can find bags of frozen cranberries during warmer months. But your best bet is to make the most of those bags of fresh cranberries while they’re in season.
If the cranberries are in one of those mesh bags, I will simply toss the whole bag into the freezer for a few hours, or until the berries are frozen solid.
From there, you can transfer them into a freezer-safe airtight container or reusable zip-top freezer bags. Keep in the freezer for up to 6 months.
With bags of frozen cranberries tucked away, you’ll be able to whip up all of your favorite cranberry treats any time of year, no matter the weather!
17 of my favorite sweet & savory cranberry recipes
I’ve pulled together 17 of my favorite cranberry recipes to get you through the holidays and beyond. We’re going to start with some savory bites, then dig into some sweet breakfasts and desserts.
If you love these, make sure to check out my Christmas recipes for even more holiday goodness.
Savory cranberry recipes
From appetizers to dinner and even lunch, cranberries are magic in savory recipes!
Cranberry Meatballs
Use your favorite cranberry sauce and frozen meatballs to make this quick and easy appetizer using your slow cooker.
Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken
This easy dinner is always a hit at our house! Chicken is slow cooked with cranberry sauce for a sweet, tangy dish that’s perfect alongside rice or mashed potatoes.
Sausage and Cranberry Stuffing
Savory Italian sausage, sweet apples, and dried cranberries come together for the perfect mix of flavors in this stuffing recipe. This side dish can even be made ahead and stored in the fridge until you’re ready to bake it.
Cranberry Brie Bites
This 3-ingredient appetizer is so easy but looks so elegant! Add them to your next party menu or make them as part of a date night in.
Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Ball
Goat cheese, cranberries, and pecans are the perfect unexpected combination in this delicious cheese ball. Your holiday parties are begging for this one!
Cranberry Chicken Salad
I love to whip up this easy cranberry chicken salad on a Sunday evening and keep it in the fridge for lunches all week long. I love to make it with pecans, but walnuts would be delicious, too!
Sweet cranberry recipes
Cranberry Bliss Bars
If you watch the coffee shop menu just waiting for when you can get your hands on these cookie bars, try making them at home instead! Slice them up and package them in a tin for a treat that’s perfect for sharing with friends.
Cranberry Crumb Bars
These cranberry crumb bars are part cookie, part pie, and completely delicious. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a truly delicious dessert!
Cranberry Orange Muffins
With orange juice and orange zest in the batter, these cranberry orange muffins are bursting with flavor. Make them for a weekend breakfast or afternoon snack!
Cranberry Apple Crisp
Apples and cranberries are a match made in heaven in this easy, delicious fruit crisp.
Cranberry Banana Bread
Sweet bananas and tart cranberries are the perfect combination in this twist on the classic banana bread.
Orange Cranberry Cookies
The brightness of oranges matches up with tart cranberries in these delicious, chewy cookies.
Cranberry Fluff
My family absolutely loves this recipe! We enjoy it as a side dish at holiday meals, but it can just as easily serve as a dessert.
Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake
This bundt cake is as beautiful as it is delicious. It makes for a stunning centerpiece to your holiday dessert table!
No-Bake Cranberry Cheesecakes
If you love cheesecake, you have to try these no-bake cranberry cheesecakes. You get tart cranberry sauce and creamy cheesecake filling in every single bite!
Cranberry Gooey Butter Bars
Fresh cranberries add a tart twist to the classic gooey butter cake in this recipe. Dust the tops with plenty of powdered sugar for a beautiful finish!
Cranberry Orange Scones
Scones are one of my very favorite breakfast foods, and these cranberry orange scones are at the top of my must-make list.
