20+ Fresh Cranberry Recipes to Make This Year (2024)

Credit: Alison Miksch; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

If the only cranberries you've ever eaten were shimmied out of a can in jellied form, you're in for a treat. Cranberry bog farmers harvest these tart but tasty fruits in autumn, making fresh cranberriesperfect for enjoying during the holidayseason. From co*cktails and cakes to muffins and main dishes, cranberries add bright flavor and color to a wide variety of delicious recipes.

Slow-Cooker Cranberry-Pear Butter

Slow-Cooker Cranberry-Pear Butter Recipe

This Cranberry-Pear Butter is a nice change of pace from the usual pumpkin or apple butter, and is just as delicious spread on your morning biscuit or slice of toast. You could even serve it on a cheese plate, alongside toasted baguette slices or crackers. (It would pair wonderfully with goat cheese.) Made with apple cider, cranberries, and pears, the fruit butter has a subtle kick from fresh ginger and a hint of spice from ground cinnamon.

Cranberry-Apple Tartlets

Cranberry-Apple Tartlets Recipe

Surprise your guests with these cute and delicious tartlets. Fresh or frozen cranberries can be used to make the tangy filling. If using frozen berries, don’t defrost them. Frozen cranberries act more like fresh cranberries than thawed ones do; the skins burst at a similar rate and they are less juicy.

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Cranberry Fluff Salad Recipe

While it might not be the best-looking dish on the holiday table, it will be incredibly popular. Super sweet and creamy, this dish will work just as well as a side as it will as a dessert. We guarantee there won't be leftovers.

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Cranberry Cookies With Orange Glaze Recipe

Oh, so festive! These cakey cranberry cookies are a perfect Christmastime snack, dessert, or even breakfast.

Cranberry-Limeade Spritzer image

Cranberry-Limeade Spritzer Recipe

Sweet and tart meetvodka in this refreshing holiday co*cktail.

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Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce Recipe

This powerful cranberry-apple sauce carries enough flavors to make it go far. Keep it traditional and serve with turkey, or think outside the box and use a dollop on thisInstant Pot Pumpkin Soup.Although it's quick and easy to make, we'd suggest preppingit a few days in advance—this Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce only gets better with time.

Cranberry Sangría Punch

Cranberry Sangría Punch Recipe

This wintry, ruby-red spin on sangría is a staff favorite but comes with a warning: It goes down easy. Make it a day ahead, and add the Champagne right before serving.

Transparent Pie with Whipped Crème Fraîche and Sugared Cranberries

Transparent Pie with Whipped Crème Fraîche and Sugared Cranberries Recipe

Put this pie in yourholiday lineupfor a little nod to Kentucky. We've topped the traditional transparent pie with someholiday embellishments: Sugared Cranberries and WhippedCrème Fraîche.

Roasted Grape and Ricotta Toasts

Cranberry Relish and Goat Cheese Toasts Recipe

Top slices of rustic sourdough bread with goat cheese and homemade cranberry relish for a colorful appetizer featuring a satisfying crunch and tasty flavor combo of salty and sweet.

Balsamic Cranberry-Onion Jam

Balsamic Cranberry-Onion Jam Recipe

This stovetop jam is tangy, tart, and sweet and pairs perfectly with a variety of meats and cheeses.

Cranberry-Apple Slab Pie

Cranberry-Apple Slab Pie Recipe

This gorgeous pie calls for three different types of apples and fresh cranberries, baked together under a perfectly woven lattice crust.

Cranberry Tequila Punch

Cranberry Tequila Punch Recipe

Freeze layers of orange slices and fresh cranberries with a mix of apple and cranberry juices in a bundt or ring mold, then serve with more of the juice, tequila, orange liqueur, and sparkling wine for a show stopping holiday party co*cktail.

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Cranberry Shortbread Bars Recipe

Freeze the shortbread dough, and then grate it in a food processor to get the most tender crust.

Cherry Spice Cake Trifle

Cherry Spice Cake Trifle Recipe

Impress holiday guests with this beautiful spice cake trifle. Sweet cherry preserves and fresh cranberries lend festive color and flavor to the pillowy layers of cake and homemade whipped cream. To make ahead, thaw the spice cake layers, and prepare the recipe through Step 3. Assemble trifle the morning of, and refrigerate. Remove 1 hour before serving.

Cranberry-Orange Tart with Browned Butter Crust

Cranberry-Orange Tart with Browned Butter Crust Recipe

For a pretty presentation, top the tart with sugared cranberries: Steep whole berries in simple syrup in the refrigerator 8 hours, then roll in sugar and let stand 1 hour to dry.

Cranberry-Balsamic Glazed Pork Rack with Fennel, Apples, and Pears

Cranberry-Balsamic Glazed Pork Rack with Fennel, Apples, and Pears Recipe

This deeply flavorful glaze can be made up to 1 day ahead of time.

Halibut with Cranberry-Lime Chutney

Halibut with Cranberry-Lime Chutney Recipe

All you need is 35 minutes to prepare thiscompany-worthy fish entrée.

Roasted Cranberries and Grapes with Rosemary

Roasted Cranberries and Grapes with Rosemary Recipe

This simple but elegant side pairs tart cranberries with sweet grapes. Toss the fruit with maple syrup and spices, then broil for just a few minutes to slightly caramelize. Drizzle with oil and red wine vinegar and serve.

Wild Rice Salad with Cranberries and Pecans

Wild Rice Salad with Cranberries and Pecans Recipe

Featuring cranberries, wild rice, toasted pecans, and scallions, this salad is full of fall flavor.

Cranberry Oat Bars

Cranberry Oat Bars Recipe

Kids will love to snack on these oat bars filled with a sweet cranberry mixture.

Wine-Spiked Cranberry Cheese Log

Wine-Spiked Cranberry Cheese Log Recipe

Use this succulent, syrupy fruit as a topping for pound cake or ice cream. You can also spoon it over a softened log of goat cheese instead of cream cheese.

Cranberry-Orange Muffins

Cranberry-Orange Muffins Recipe

It's hard to beat the classic combination of oranges and cranberries. Sprinkle the tops of the glazed muffins with coarse sugar to add texture and a little sparkle.