20 Cranberry Recipes to Try This Season (2024)

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20 Cranberry Recipes to Try This Season (1) by Katie Webster
October 29, 2019 (updated 5/23/23)
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Here’s a list of 20 cranberry recipes to try this season. From pizza to cocktails, cranberry sauce to cranberry cake, I’ve got a range of from-scratch fresh cranberry recipes for everyone!

20 Cranberry Recipes to Try This Season (2)

Table of contents

  • How to Buy Fresh Cranberries
  • Tips For Cooking With Fresh Cranberries
  • 20 Fresh Cranberry Recipes
  • More Fall Recipes You’ll Love

When these tiny red fruits start popping up in the market in October they are a sign that Fall and the holidays are here. They’re just so festive! Plus, of course, they are super healthy also.

So I have collected links for some of my favorite healthy cranberry recipes to share with you. We have them in bread, bars and even on flatbread! Thank you to all of the other bloggers who contributed these amazing good-for-you cranberry ideas.

How to Buy Fresh Cranberries

You can find cranberries fresh, frozen, or dried. For the following recipes, you can use either fresh or frozen. I have a whole host of dried cranberry recipes, but for this roundup I wanted to make a useful resource for you to enjoy fresh cranberries while they’re in season.

Produce Department:

At the market, especially in natural food stores or Whole Foods, you can find fresh cranberries in bulk in the produce department, often in a big trough of water with a slotted scoop to get them out. Since cranberries float, you can just scoop them right out. I love buying them this way, and I try to find local Vermont cranberrieswhenever they’re in season.

Other times, and most commonly, you’ll find cranberries sold in 12-ounce bags in the produce department.

Freezer Section:

Sometimes you can findfrozen cranberries in bags. The vast majority of the time you can use frozen cranberries in place of fresh ones. Unlike frozen raspberries, they do not weep when thawed, so you have more wiggle room in making the substitutions.

What to Look For:

Avoid cranberries that are wrinkled or look like they are softening. These are not good and should get composted. If you’re purchasing bulk cranberries, avoid the ones that don’t look fresh. The others should be fine.

How to Store Cranberries:

Once you get them home, make sure they are dry and store them in the refrigerator.

Tips For Cooking With Fresh Cranberries

  1. Why Cranberries Burst When Cooked: Cranberries are hollow, so when they are simmered or cooked the air inside heats up and expands, and then the cranberry bursts. If you are making a cranberry sauce (see below for my fave) you’ll want to be on the lookout for that mini berry explosion, and that’s when you know your cranberry sauce is done.
  2. Using Cranberries in Baking: For baking recipes, cranberries can be added in raw, either whole or chopped depending on the recipe.
  3. Using Frozen Cranberries: If you have frozen berries, you can use them while they are still frozen! When in doubt, check the notes of the recipe you are using.
  4. Balance Flavors: Cranberries are very tart and astringent, so when cooking with them, add contrasting flavors, such as sweet or salty to help balance them out.

20 Fresh Cranberry Recipes

20 Cranberry Recipes to Try This Season (3)

Cranberry Crumb Bars with Clementines

These Cranberry Crumb Bars are an all time favorite baking recipe for a Christmas dessert or afternoon snack and any time around the winter holidays.

20 Cranberry Recipes to Try This Season (4)

Cranberry Christmas Cake (with Sugared Cranberries)

Help yourself to a slice of this sweet and tart Cranberry Cake with Almond Flour. It is made with sour cream instead of butter to give it a tender texture!

20 Cranberry Recipes to Try This Season (5)

This Cranberry Sauce with Orange is one of my most beloved Thanksgiving recipes here on Healthy Seasonal Recipes. It’s an annual tradition! It’s made with fresh orange segments, orange juice and allspice, and cooked into a sweet and tart whole-berry cranberry sauce.

20 Cranberry Recipes to Try This Season (6)

Photo Credit:www.foodfaithfitness.com

Cranberry Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin Tacos

Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin Tacos with Cranberries From Food Faith Fitness. These healthy, gluten-free slow cooker pork tenderloin tacos are packed with spicy-sweet fall flavor, and are an easy, weeknight, meal that the whole family will love!

20 Cranberry Recipes to Try This Season (7)

Roasted Cranberry and Goat Cheese Flatbreads

This roasted cranberry and goat cheese flatbread is a non-traditional pizza. It is an unexpected holiday party appetizer.

20 Cranberry Recipes to Try This Season (8)

Cranberry Vinaigrette

It’s a healthy, easy cranberry vinaigrette for dressing up fall and winter salads. You’ll want to keep this recipe handy since it is a nice way to switch up your usual salad routine and it has tons of flavor. It is also special enough for Thanksgiving or your holiday table.

This Cranberry Orange Mulled Wine is the perfect drink for your holiday party and a great Thanksgiving Recipe!

20 Cranberry Recipes to Try This Season (10)

Maple Cranberry Apple Pie

Here’s a Maple Cranberry Apple Pie recipe for Thanksgiving with a deep dish whole grain crust and a sweet crumble topping. It's no joke one of my favorite pies of all time.

20 Cranberry Recipes to Try This Season (11)

Photo Credit:peasandcrayons.com

Cranberry Mango Layered Smoothie

This smoothie is vegan-friendly! From Peas and Crayons. This festive Cranberry Mango Layered Smoothie combines two tasty layers of fruit with hidden veggies for a layered smoothie that’s so easy to make!

20 Cranberry Recipes to Try This Season (12)

Almond Cranberry Bread

This almond cranberry bread is a healthy, refined sugar-free and whole-grain recipe that makes a super holiday gift from the kitchen. It is also a kid-friendly snack for after school, or perfect to bring along if you are going to visit friends or family over the holidays.

20 Cranberry Recipes to Try This Season (13)

Cranberry Apple Christmas Breakfast Casserole

If you are looking for a make-ahead breakfast casserole for Christmas morning, look no further. This Cranberry Apple Christmas Casserole will be a huge hit with the whole family and it can be assembled the day before. It’s made with vanilla Greek yogurt, fresh cranberries, sourdough bread, eggs and it’s topped with a crunchy nut streusel topping.

20 Cranberry Recipes to Try This Season (14)

Photo Credit:www.cottercrunch.com

Roasted Cranberry Chicken Recipe

Roasted chicken made with a delicious balsamic chicken marinade, cranberries, and fresh thyme. This paleo one pan chicken recipe is beyond easy!

20 Cranberry Recipes to Try This Season (15)

Photo Credit:boulderlocavore.com

How to Make Sugared Cranberries

Sugared cranberries are a wonderful holiday treat and add an extra festive touch to baked goods and cocktails (or mocktails). They are easy to make and once you make a batch you’ll be hooked. Fun gift idea too!

20 Cranberry Recipes to Try This Season (16)

10-Minute Fresh Cranberry Relish

This is my mom's recipe for raw cranberry relish with ground up orange and raspberry jam. It only takes 1o minutes to make and it can be made up to two days before Thanksgiving.

20 Cranberry Recipes to Try This Season (17)

Almond Waffles with Cranberry Orange Honey Syrup

These crispy Almond Waffles with Cranberry Orange Honey Syrup are EVERYTHING! They’re crisp as all good waffles should be, and then they are also almondy (like the flavor of an almond macaroon) That alone renders them too good. But then the tart sweet cranberry orange honey syrup makes them an absolute treat.

Sweet, tangy, colorful, and toasted. These Roasted Balsamic Cranberry and Brie Crostini make for s snazzy Holiday appetizer.

20 Cranberry Recipes to Try This Season (19)

Photo Credit:www.gimmesomeoven.com

Cranberry Crisp

This delicious Cranberry Crisp recipe ismade with lots and lots of fresh cranberries, it’s easy to prep ahead of time, and it’sthe perfect holiday dessert! Feel free to bake it up in a 9-x-9-inch baking dish, or incute little mini individual ramekins.

20 Cranberry Recipes to Try This Season (20)

Photo Credit:confessionsofafitfoodie.com

Roasted Shrimp Cocktail

Roasted Shrimp Cocktailwith Cranberry Horseradish Chutney is the perfect protein packed Thanksgiving appetizer!

20 Cranberry Recipes to Try This Season (21)

Photo Credit:www.nutmegnanny.com

Cranberry Smoothie Bowl

This cranberry smoothie bowl is packed full of cranberries, mixed berries, bananas, almond milk and topped with coconut, chia seeds and nuts. It's healthy, delicious and the perfect holiday rush breakfast.

More Fall Recipes You’ll Love

Easy Chicken and Rice Soup
Massaged Kale Salad with Apple
Maple Apple Crisp
Healthy Pumpkin Bread with Chocolate Chips

Thanks so much for reading! If you are new here, you may want to sign up for my email newsletter to get a free weekly menu plan and the latest recipes right to your inbox. If you make this recipe, please come back and leave a star rating and review. I would love to hear what you thought!

Happy Cooking! ~Katie

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20 Cranberry Recipes to Try This Season (26)

20 Cranberry Recipes to Try This Season

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  • Author: Katie Webster
  • Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
  • Yield: 18 servings 1x
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Description

When cranberries start popping up in the market in October they are a sign that Fall and the holidays are here. They’re just so festive! These Cranberry Crumb Bars with Clementines are a favorite. They have a simple crust that doubles as the crumb topping with almonds. There are fresh clementines mixed into the cranberries and coconut oil and coconut flakes added as well. They were adapted from The Simple Art of EatingWell.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust and Topping

  • 1 cup sliced almonds, divided
  • 3/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil, softened if necessary according to package instructions
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 2 tablespoons sunflower or canola oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened coconut chips

Filling

  • 5 cups cranberries, divided
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup freshly squeezed clementine juice (save the zest)
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 cup chopped peeled clementine
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons clementine zest
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Generously coat a 9 by 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  2. Make the Crust and Topping: Combine ¾ cup almonds, whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, ½ cup sugar and salt in a food processor. Pulse until the almonds are ground. Add coconut oil and pulse until completely blended in. Whisk egg, sunflower or canola oil, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and almond extract in a small dish until combined. Turn on processor and drizzle egg mixture through the feed tube and continue processing and then pulsing, scraping down the sides a few times until the mixture becomes crumbly. {Note: the crumbs will be loose, but if you squeeze them together with your hand it will clump together.]
  3. Reserve ½ cup of the crumb mixture and mix in a bowl with the remaining almonds. Press the remaining crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared dish and set aside.
  4. Make the filling: Stir 3 cups cranberries, ¾ cup sugar, clementine juice and cornstarch in medium saucepan. Place over medium heat and bring to a simmer, stirring often. Continue cooking, stirring constantly until very thick, about 5 minutes total. Stir in the remaining 2 cups cranberries, chopped clementine, zest and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
  5. Spread the cranberry filling over the crust. Sprinkle the reserved topping over the top. Scatter the coconut chips over the topping and transfer to the oven. Bake 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and continue cooking until the filling bubbles and the topping is lightly browned, 25 to 30 minutes longer. Cool completely before cutting.

Notes

Storing Tip:Store the cranberry crumb bars in an airtight container (or sealable bag) at room temp, in the refrigerator or freezer. They will stay good for up to 2 days at room temp, and up to 4 days in the fridge.

  • Prep Time: 40 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 16 g
  • Sodium: 73 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 27 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 3 g

20 Cranberry Recipes to Try This Season (27)

About the Author

Katie Webster

Katie Webster studied art and photography at Skidmore College and is a graduate of the New England Culinary Institute. She has been a professional recipe developer since 2001 when she first started working in the test kitchen at EatingWell magazine. Her recipes have been featured in numerous magazines including Shape, Fitness, Parents and several Edible Communities publications among others. Her cookbook, Maple {Quirk Books} was published in 2015. She launched Healthy Seasonal Recipes in 2009. She lives in Vermont with her husband, two teenage daughters and two yellow labs. In her free time, you can find her at the gym, cooking, stacking firewood, making maple syrup, and tending to her overgrown perennial garden.

More About Katie »

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13 comments on “20 Cranberry Recipes to Try This Season”

  1. Ann November 8, 2019 @ 4:06 am Reply

    Cranberry is my favorite berry! I really think that it can be converted to any dish and it will be amazingly delicious. Main course, dessert or sauce – delicious anyway! I already tried to cook Roasted Cranberry and Goat Cheese Flatbread, Cranberry Maple Apple Crumb Pie and Cranberry Bread according to your recipes. And moreover, cranberry sauce and cranberry marinade are regular guests at my dining table. This is a cool selection, keep it up. Thank you!

  2. Sarah November 11, 2013 @ 11:46 am Reply

    Hi Katie – thanks for the recipes! My family are cranberry growers in MA and there aren’t any grown in VT unless it is basically in someone’s back yard. They need sand.

    • katie November 11, 2013 @ 12:11 pm Reply

      Sarah, thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you find some new recipes to use your berries in:) I didn’t know they needed sand. That is so interesting. I don’t know how they do it, but we do get local cranberries here, believe it or not. I can find them at a handful of good markets, Farmer Markets and as part of the locavore share of our CSA. The company is Vermont Cranberry Company. http://www.vermontcranberry.com/about-vermont-cranberry-company/ I wonder if they have sandy soils?

  3. Min October 16, 2013 @ 8:03 am Reply

    What a great round-up, Katie! Cranberry is the superfood of the month at the hospital I’m currently interning at so it is definitely on my mind (and in my belly) lately ;).

    • katie October 17, 2013 @ 5:23 pm Reply

      Lucky you. I just saw the cover of EatingWell and what do you think is on the cover? I guess everyone is thinking about them:)

  4. Ari October 15, 2013 @ 11:45 pm Reply

    I’ve been searching for them too–no where to be seen 🙁 I want to make my sauce + about a zillion other things, and I am super impatient. Great round up, Katie!

    • katie October 16, 2013 @ 5:53 am Reply

      Thanks Ari. I saw a picture on instagram of someone buying them in mass quantities, so I know they are out there:)

  5. Anne October 15, 2013 @ 11:09 am Reply

    Great ideas! I always forget about cranberries until Thanksgiving. I buy a ton of them and freeze for later.

    • katie October 15, 2013 @ 1:33 pm Reply

      Anne, I just checked and I think I still have some in my freezer from last year! Thanks for coming by!

  6. Kalyn October 15, 2013 @ 11:01 am Reply

    Loving this round-up, and thanks for including me!

    • katie October 15, 2013 @ 1:33 pm Reply

      Kalyn it is an honor to include your recipes! Thanks so much for your spinach salad and cranberry salsa!

  7. David October 15, 2013 @ 7:54 am Reply

    Thanks so much for including me (#14)! Definitely bookmarking this one to try out some of these delicious recipes. 🙂

    • katie October 15, 2013 @ 9:43 am Reply

      David. I love your Orzo salad. Anything that is a little sweet and savory is good in my book.

20 Cranberry Recipes to Try This Season (2024)

FAQs

How many cranberries should I eat a day? ›

HOW MUCH CRANBERRIES TO EAT DAILY? Studies confirming the health-promoting properties of cranberries have typically used doses of 100-300 g of fresh cranberries, equivalent to 7-10 g of dried cranberries, and 100-150 ml of 100% cranberry juice.

How many bags of cranberries for 10 people? ›

One 12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries yields about 2 1/4 cups of cranberry sauce, which should be enough for about 8 to 10 people, Hartigan says, adding that you can half that amount of cranberries when making a cranberry-apple or -orange sauce since the alternative fruit will bulk up each serving.

What pairs well with cranberries? ›

cranberry
  • Thyme (Orange) citrus. grassy. woody. floral.
  • Sage (Common) savory. herbal. menthol.
  • Rosemary. savory. herbal.
  • Mexican Tarragon. citrus. anise.
  • Zaatar Marjoram. woody. floral.
  • Marigold Flower. citrus. grapefruit. grassy.
  • Epazote. oregano. anise. mint. gasoline.
  • Basil (Purple Ruffles) cinnamon. anise. menthol.

Why should cranberries not be eaten raw? ›

Is it safe to eat cranberries raw? Cranberries are generally considered safe whether they are cooked or raw. However, because of their notoriously bitter, sharp taste, most people prefer not to eat them raw or unsweetened. This bitterness is due to the high tannin content of cranberries.

What is the healthiest way to eat cranberries? ›

There are lots of ways to add this fruit to your diet. Some varieties, such as dried cranberries, cranberry juice, and canned cranberry sauce, are available year-round. The healthiest way to enjoy cranberries is to eat them fresh. Raw cranberries take about 16 months to fully mature and are gathered in early fall.

Should you chop cranberries before baking? ›

How to Use Fresh Cranberries in Baking
  1. How to prepare fresh cranberries for baking. There's really not much you need to do to prepare fresh cranberries for baking. ...
  2. Should you chop cranberries before baking? You definitely don't need to! ...
  3. Do I need to cook cranberries before baking? Nope!

Should you wash fresh cranberries before freezing? ›

Freezing Cranberries

Because some bruised and soft berries and some stems and leaves are often in the bags, you might prefer to sort and wash the berries before freezing them. Sort berries and remove stems; then wash and drain thoroughly. Blot dry with a clean towel to remove as much moisture as possible.

How long do fresh cranberries keep in the fridge? ›

If stored correctly, fresh cranberries will last in the refrigerator for three to four weeks. If you opted to freeze them, they'll keep well for up to a year. When frozen, you can use them straight from the freezer without defrosting.

What not to mix with cranberry? ›

Possible Interactions
  • Warfarin (Coumadin): Cranberry may raise the risk of bleeding, especially if you already take medications to thin the blood such as warfarin. ...
  • Aspirin: Like aspirin, cranberries contain salicylic acid. ...
  • Other medications: Cranberry may interact with medications that are broken down by the liver.

What kind of cheese goes with cranberries? ›

Try some crumbled chèvre or feta with fresh cranberries for a salad that is as pretty to look at as it is tasty to eat. Don't love fresh, whole cranberries? No problem! Vermont Creamery's Cranberry and Tarragon Goat Cheese Crumbles use slightly sweetened dried cranberries.

Do cranberries settle your stomach? ›

Cranberries (particularly in juice form) are very effective at settling digestive problems and stomach aches. This is due in part to the fruit's high acid content.

Are cranberries healthier than blueberries? ›

The cranberry is also a contender when it comes to antioxidant content. While wild blueberries outperform them when it comes to measuring both antioxidant capacity and cellular antioxidant activity, cranberries pack their own health punch.

Are Craisins the same as dried cranberries? ›

Dried cranberries may be marketed as craisins due to the similarity in appearance with raisins, although the word "Craisin" is a registered trademark of Ocean Spray. Craisins were introduced as part of a packaged cereal produced by Ralston Purina in 1989.

Can you eat uncooked cranberries? ›

Yes, raw cranberries are safe to consume raw, but you probably don't want to eat them that way. "Cranberries are safe to eat raw. However, usually they are cooked and have sugar added because of the bitter and sharp taste they have when raw," says Kelly West Keyser, a registered dietitian in Alabama.

Is it safe to eat cranberries everyday? ›

Cranberries and cranberry products are usually safe for most people if consumed in moderation. However, excessive consumption may cause stomach upset and diarrhea — and may also increase the risk of kidney stones in predisposed individuals.

Is it OK to eat dried cranberries everyday? ›

Dried cranberries are safe for consumption provided you enjoy them in limited quantities. Excessive consumption of dried cranberries may cause an upset stomach, diarrhoea, and nausea. It may also increase the risk of kidney stones in predisposed individuals.

How many cranberries should I eat to prevent UTI? ›

Cranberry products include juice, syrup, capsules and tablets. A commonly recommended amount for UTI prevention is daily consumption of 300 mL of cranberry juice cocktail containing 36 mg PAC (Howell 2010).

Can you have too much cranberry? ›

Although cranberry juice is safe to consume in moderation, drinking too much can cause side effects such as upset stomach, diarrhea, and blood sugar spikes. In the past, it was believed that cranberry juice can slow the growth of bacteria and therefore is useful in treating urinary tract infections.

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