These Fresh Cranberry Recipes Will Keep Going All Season Long (2024)

This versatile berry is good for so much more than sauce.

By Beth Branch
These Fresh Cranberry Recipes Will Keep Going All Season Long (1)

Cranberries can do a whole lot more than make a delicious sauce. These sweet and tart little berries are just as delicious in a variety of side dishes, desserts, pies, and plenty of other Thanksgiving recipes.

They even dress up salads and savory dishes too! These juicy gems add a burst of fresh fall flavor to just about anything, so we’ve rounded up some of our favorite fresh cranberry recipes so you can enjoy them all season long, year after year.

1

Cranberry-Fudge Pie with Candied Cranberries

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Chocolate? Fruit? When it comes to pie, why choose? The bright tart cranberry is tempered by dark fudge in this absolutely decadent holiday pie. Make it for Thanksgiving. Make it for Christmas. Make it because you can't stop eating slices.

Get the recipe for Cranberry-Fudge Pie with Candied Cranberries.

2

Braided Cranberry-Orange Pie

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Pairing tangy cranberries and orange liqueur, this crowd-pleaser features an intricate, cozy sweater-like crust. This delicious pie evokes the best of both things with a holiday pie worth saving room for.

Get the recipe for Braided Cranberry-Orange Pie.

3

Molded Cranberry Sauce

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Skip the canned cranberry stuff this year, and make this impressive looking (and better tasting) version with fresh berries.

Get the recipe for Molded Cranberry Sauce.

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4

Cranberry-Cherry Cobbler Pie

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Combine your favorite red berries, cranberries and cherries, for a festive Thanksgiving treat! This dessert is two in one: cobbler and pie at the same time!

Get the recipe for Cranberry-Cherry Cobbler Pie.

5

Cranberry Mulled White Wine

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If you find traditional mulled wine to be a little too heavy, try this lighter, white-wine version. Flavored with fall spice, cranberries, and a touch of honey, it's every bit as warming as its counterparts, but with a tart, clean taste.

Get the recipe for Cranberry Mulled White Wine.

6

Cranberry-Grape Sauce

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This sweet spin on the time-honored Thanksgiving condiment combines fresh cranberries and grapes for a delicious and festive side.

Get the recipe for Cranberry-Grape Sauce.

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7

Kale Salad with Pickled Cranberries and Crispy Quinoa

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Looking for a healthy and delicious salad that's truly wow-worthy? This absolute cranberry crunch-fest has it all.

Get the recipe for Kale Salad with Pickled Cranberries and Crispy Quinoa.

8

Cranberry Walnut Shortbread Bars

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These little cranberry bars are the perfect snackable treat for your Thanksgiving dessert table. If you make these, be warned: The family will start asking you to make them every year.

Get the recipe for Cranberry Walnut Shortbread Bars.

9

Cranberry-Ginger Shrub

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Here's a pretty cranberry party drink that's adult enough to please the grownups, but without the headache-causing alcohol. It's ideal mixed with just a little club soda on its own—or mixed with a bit of gin for those who prefer to imbibe.

Get the recipe for Cranberry-Ginger Shrub.

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10

Cranberry Pâte de Fruit

These sweet jellied treats are as elegant as they are easy to make! Grab a bag of fresh cranberries and get to cooking!

Get the recipe for Cranberry Pâte de Fruit.

11

Cranberry and Dried-Cherry Sauce

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This simple cranberry sauce from the Beekman Boys' Thanksgiving menu is fresh take on the classic condiment.

Get the recipe for Cranberry and Dried-Cherry Sauce.

12

Sautéed Apples, Pear & Cranberries

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Make this simple fruit salad for a light holiday breakfast, or use it to top yeasted waffles for something a little heartier. Fresh cranberries, apples, and pears are a delicious combination for an autumn brunch!

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13

Cranberry Gin Fizz

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Fresh thyme and a homemade cranberry syrup make this drink as delicious as it is festive.

Get the recipe for Cranberry Gin Fizz.

14

Cranberry Tart

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Sweet custard pies like pumpkin and sweet potato can be heavy after a big meal, but a bright, tangy cranberry tart is a palette refresher.

Get the recipe for Cranberry Tart.

15

Roasted Squash with Goat Cheese and Poached Cranberries

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This simple roasted squash with delicious toppings like goat cheese and poached cranberries makes an excellent appetizer, or an even better healthy weeknight side dish.

Get the recipe for Roasted Squash with Goat Cheese and Poached Cranberries.

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16

Upside-Down Orange-Cranberry Cake

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Bright citrus and fresh cranberries make this cake a stunning centerpiece.

Get the recipe for Upside-Down Orange-Cranberry Cake.

17

Citrus-Cranberry Sauce

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Carrie Morey, the owner of Callie's Charleston Biscuits, spikes her cranberry relish with grapefruit juice.

Get the recipe for Citrus-Cranberry Sauce.

18

Spiced Cranberry Punch

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Spiced rum and tart cranberries make for one very festive holiday punch!

Get the recipe for Spiced Cranberry Punch.

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19

Cranberry-Apple Hand Pies

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These cranberry-apple hand pies are a new and decidedly different way of ending your Thanksgiving meal. Be warned though: The deliciously down-home dessert is bound to be gobbled up in a matter of minutes.

Get the recipe for Cranberry-Apple Hand Pies.

20

Cranberry Crumb Bars

These Fresh Cranberry Recipes Will Keep Going All Season Long (22)

Rolled oats and cranberries are a timeless, unbeatable combo. Add toasted pecans and sweet apricot to the mix, and you've got yourself a new favorite recipe.

Get the recipe for Cranberry Crumb Bars.

These Fresh Cranberry Recipes Will Keep Going All Season Long (2024)

FAQs

Are fresh cranberries still in season? ›

Fresh U.S. cranberries are only harvested in the fall and are available at your local grocery store from September through January.

Can I freeze fresh cranberries? ›

Place plastic bags of cranberries directly in the freezer for up to twelve months and use without thawing—just run cold water over them to rinse before using. 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.

Can you buy fresh cranberries year round? ›

Fresh cranberries are harvested in the fall and are usually only available at your local grocery store from October through December. Fortunately, cranberries can be frozen for up to a year, so remember to stock up with an extra bag or two around the holidays to use throughout the year.

What pairs best with cranberry? ›

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.

What months are fresh cranberries available? ›

Fresh cranberries are typically available during the months of September, October and November, which is peak time for cranberry harvesting. Purchasing extra berries when in season and freezing them is the best way to ensure ample supply throughout the year.

Why are fresh cranberries so expensive? ›

At the same time, the demand for fresh cranberries has grown. “We believe it's largely because of Ocean Spray which has lost packing capacity mainly in Massachusetts but also a bit in Wisconsin,” says Von Bauer. All of this means there's an approximate 10 percent price increase on fresh cranberries over last year.

Do cranberries get mushy after freezing? ›

If cranberries are frozen then removed from the freezer then thawed, they will have a soft texture and are usable for cooking and baking. Adding frozen cranberries to recipes is often recommended.

What is the best way to freeze fresh cranberries? ›

Rinse before freezing
  1. Sort, rinse, drain and pat the berries dry to prevent ice crystals from causing freezer burn.
  2. Place them on a shallow tray until frozen in the freezer.
  3. Pack them in a rigid freezer container or plastic freezer bag-label them with a date.
May 26, 2023

Can you freeze fresh cranberries in the bag? ›

When in sealed packaging, they can be placed directly in the freezer. You can also place them on a metal baking sheet to freeze them, then transfer them to individual bags and return them to the freezer for future use. Cranberries will not stick together once they are frozen.

Does Aldi have fresh cranberries? ›

ALDI Ocean Spray Fresh Premium Superfruit Cranberries Same-Day Delivery or Pickup | Instacart.

Does Costco have fresh cranberries? ›

Costco Ocean Spray Fresh Premium Cranberries Same-Day Delivery or Pickup | Instacart.

Why can't fresh cranberries be purchased year round? ›

Fresh cranberries are only available in the fall. They are generally sold in 12-ounce plastic bags. But frozen cranberries are increasingly available year-round, and the sturdy little berries suffer no discernible harm from their time in the deep freeze (as long as you don't leave them there indefinitely).

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 is a vodka and cranberry drink called? ›

The Cape Cod or Cape Codder is a type of co*cktail consisting of vodka and cranberry juice. Some recipes also call for squeezing a lime wedge over the glass and dropping it into the drink.

Can dogs eat cranberries? ›

Both fresh and dried cranberries are safe to feed to dogs in small quantities. Whether your dog will like this tart treat is another question. Either way, moderation is important when feeding cranberries to dogs, as with any treat, as too many can lead to an upset stomach.

Why is there a shortage of fresh cranberries? ›

Weather again hurt cranberry harvests across the country in 2023, with drought, excess snow, freezes, and hailstorms harming crops in many regions. As a result, yields in individual states were down anywhere from 5% to 12% compared to the already reduced yields of 2022.

How long can you buy fresh cranberries? ›

Fresh cranberries are on the market from mid-September through January.

Are fresh cranberries ready to eat? ›

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.

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