20 Cranberry Recipes that Aren't Cranberry Sauce

If you're one of the people who think cranberries are only useful around Thanksgiving, we're here to change your mind! Cranberries can be used in everything from cookies and scones to savory side dishes and salads with their sweet, tart, totally delicious flavor.

Read on to discover 20 of our favorite cranberry recipes that aren't sauce.

Photo Courtesy of Co+op

Wild Rice Cranberry Apple Pilaf

While cranberries definitely work well in desserts, they also work well as a subtly sweet addition to more savory dishes, like this wild rice pilaf.

Wild rice, cranberries, apple juice, celery, mushrooms, and a variety of herbs come together to create a texturally diverse side dish or vegetarian main course.

Serve your wild rice pilaf alongside roasted chicken or stuffed inside of winter squash.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup wild rice blend

  • 2 cups water

  • 1 cup apple juice

  • 1 tablespoon butter or vegetable oil

  • 2 ribs celery, chopped

  • 1 cup mushrooms, sliced (about 4-5 mushrooms)

  • 3 scallions, chopped

  • 1 apple, cored and chopped into 1/2-inch pieces (leave the peel on for extra color)

  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries

  • 1/4 cup pecan pieces

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground fennel

  • 1/2 teaspoon dried sage

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

  • salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

  1. In a medium saucepan, bring the wild rice, water, and apple juice to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover the pot, and simmer for about 40 minutes until the rice is tender. Remove the rice from the heat, drain off any remaining liquid and set aside.

  2. In a large skillet, heat the butter or oil over medium-high heat. Saute the celery and mushrooms for 3 to 5 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients (except for the rice) and saute for another 3 to 5 minutes.

  3. Finally, add the rice to the pan and toss with the veggie and spice mixture. Season with salt and pepper and serve warm.

Find the full recipe at Co+op

Photo Courtesy of Cookie + Kate

Fresh Cranberry Margaritas

Margaritas, but with a winter twist!

In this recipe, cranberries are cooked down into a sweet and tangy jammy sauce before being shaken up with orange juice, tequila, and lime.

Add a salted rim and some fresh cranberries for garnish!

Find the full recipe at Cookie + Kate

 

Photo Courtesy of Once Upon a Chef

Roasted Green Beans with Cranberries and Walnuts

Fresh green beans are delicious with just a dash of butter and salt and pepper, but this recipe takes them to the next level.

Though this recipe requires a little bit of prep work, it only calls for a few simple ingredients and results in a sweet and salty side dish with a nice crunch.

Serve your green beans alongside a holiday meal or some oven-roasted chicken.

Find the full recipe at Once Upon a Chef

 

5 Ingredient Cranberry Brie Cinnamon Puff Pastry Swirls

Easy to make, a little cheesy, and full of sweet cranberry flavor, these adorable swirls call for just 5 ingredients.

All you need is cranberries, brie, cinnamon sugar, butter, puff pastry, and about 20 minutes to toss these together, making them the perfect last-minute holiday dessert or sweet appetizer.

Keep the recipe as is, or toss in some walnuts for an extra crunch.

Find the full recipe at Half Baked Harvest

Cranberry Orange Muffins

Sweet cranberries and zesty orange come together in these very merry holiday muffins.

In addition to being perfectly sweet and tasty, these muffins are gluten-free and vegan, making them a delicious option for everyone.

These muffins are topped off with a simple glaze and a dash of orange zest.

Find the full recipes at Feasting at Home

Harvest Cranberry, Persimmon & Burrata Salad

If you're looking for a salad recipe that celebrates the very best of the winter season, consider this harvest salad from Half Baked Harvest!

Cranberries are combined with in-season persimmons, clementines, and burrata cheese to create a salad that's full of winter flavor and incredibly colorful, too.

Serve your harvest salad as an appetizer at your holiday celebrations or alongside some roasted chicken for a full meal.

Find the full recipe at Half Baked Harvest

Cranberry Pot Roast

Here's another savory cranberry recipe that proves this fruit is made for more than just Thanksgiving sauce.

In this recipe, beef chuck roast is baked with fresh cranberries, onion, garlic, celery, carrot, and herbs to create a warming and festive main course.

Serve your roast with oven-roasted potatoes or atop garlic mashed potatoes.

Find the full recipe at Feasting at Home

Meyer Lemon and Fresh Cranberry Scones

Zesty lemon and sweet cranberries come together in these flaky, buttery homemade scones.

Serve these as a sweet treat on Christmas morning or bake them on Sunday to enjoy all week.

Top them off with homemade whip cream for more of a dessert or butter at brunchtime.

Find the full recipe at Smitten Kitchen

Cranberry-Walnut Chicken Salad

Here's an easy way to clear out your fridge and toss together a yummy lunch in the process.

Cranberries are combined with walnuts, canned or leftover chicken, celery, and a variety of seasonings to create a chicken salad that's sweet, salty, nutty, and filling.

The beauty of this chicken salad is that you can customize it based on whatever you have in the fridge. Apples, grapes, or other nuts would be great substitutes or additions.

Find the full recipe at Smitten Kitchen

Cranberry Cheesecake Bars

That classic combination of cranberries and oranges are back again in these rich and creamy cheesecake bars!

Cranberries and orange juice are simmered till the berries are perfectly tender and sweet, before being swirled together with cream cheese filling and poured over a simple crust.

These bars are a simpler take on cheesecake and are easy to cut into squares for a brilliant bite-sized dessert.

Find the full recipe at EatingWell

More Cranberry Recipes to Try

Co-op RecipesLeigha Staffenhagen