15 Fresh Cranberry Recipes (That Aren't Sauce)

These native North American berries shine in drinks, desserts, salads, main courses, and salsas.

clafoutis
Photo:

Yunhee Kim

Cranberries are synonymous with Thanksgiving and sauce, but they don't stop there; there are many ways to enjoy these native North American berries beyond the usual condiment. Cranberries are tart and complex, beautifully suited to every aspect of any cold-season meal, and versatile enough to deserve more than that once-off annual and obligatory seat at our holiday tables. They have the personality to define every course, from bright cocktails to refreshing appetizers and salads, entrées and desserts.

The puckering tannins and tartness of cranberries are a boon to mixologists and cooks, who can use the fruit to add sourness and balance where they are needed. The relatively dry nature of the berries also turns them into sponges for absorbing sweetness without becoming cloying. The crimson berries are as beautifully suited to long, slow braises as they are to simple baked goods.

Shopping for Cranberries

Because of their staggered harvest (with crops ripening across the country and on opposite coasts at different times), fresh cranberries are in season from early fall and available through late winter, thanks to their excellent shelf life.

Look for brightly colored, firm cranberries in the produce section. Avoid bags that have brown or shriveled berries at the bottom. Store in the original packaging for up to two weeks in the refrigerator or up to one year in the freezer. To prep, rinse and discard any discolored or soft berries; if frozen, there's no need to thaw before use.

01 of 15

Cranberry Bread

cranberry bread
Emily Laurae

Bake this easy, quick bread anytime you have fresh cranberries (or grab a bag when they are on sale post-Thanksgiving). It takes about 15 minutes to mix and just over an hour to bake. And it doesn't require a mixer; simply hand-mix dry ingredients in one bowl and wet ingredients in another. 

02 of 15

Cranberry Curd and Citrus Pavlova

cranberry curd and citrus pavlova with sliced oranges

Ryan Liebe

Need a spectacular holiday dessert? This pavlova with homemade cranberry curd, whipped cream, and segmented clementines, oranges, and blood oranges fits the bill. It tastes as good as it looks.

03 of 15

Bourbon Cranberry Shrub

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Marcus Nilsson

For this colorful, refreshing fall cocktail, you can make the shrub with cranberries, sugar, and white-wine vinegar up to three weeks ahead. Then mix the cocktails with bourbon and seltzer right before serving.

04 of 15

Cranberry Poached Pears

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Poached pears is a classic fall dessert but when you add cranberries to the recipe, the dish takes on a glorious hue. It's not just about looks, cranberries and pears are a wonderful pairing for flavor too.

05 of 15

Endive and Apple Salad With Cranberry Dressing

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Cranberries flavor the mustard vinaigrette for this salad of endive, apple, frisée, and yellow bell pepper.

06 of 15

Cranberry and Port Sorbet

cranberry port sorbet

The velvet roundness of port together with tart cranberries makes a luscious, ruby-hued sorbet. It's just the right way to end a warming winter meal that needs a light but memorably beautiful finish.

07 of 15

Cranberry and Pearly Onion Relish

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The natural sweetness of pearl onions is emphasized by brown sugar and tamed by sour cranberries, orange, and vinegar. This relish is wonderful with strong cheese, on creamy avocado toast, and adds oomph to pan juices.

08 of 15

Cranberry Avocado Salsa

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In this brilliantly simple reimagining of classic salsa, cranberries boost the sour volume. The contrast between creamy green avocado and the bright fruit is arrestingly pretty and very tasty.

09 of 15

Cranberry Cider Punch

Apple Cider, Cranberry, and Ginger Punch

Cranberries offer the essential acid element to a chilled and festive winter punch, with warming aromatic ginger beer and fresh apple cider.

10 of 15

Cranberry and Maple Bread Pudding

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Classic bread pudding is given a seasonal makeover via the winter weather combination of maple syrup and tart cranberries. A crème fraîche batter adds delicious complexity to each mouthful.

11 of 15

Braised Brisket with Cranberries

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Supported by red wine and richly aromatic molasses, cranberries cook down with brisket to make a comforting one-pot wonder meal for a cold night.

12 of 15

Cranberry Cobbler

cranberry cobbler

An easy cranberry cobbler baked in a cast-iron skillet is rustic and delicious. Even better, it takes just minutes to assemble.

13 of 15

Chicken with Cranberry Sauce

cranberry chicken

Succulent roasted sheet pan chicken is cloaked in a savory cranberry and herb sauce. As an added bonus, the sauce is perfect for leftover turkey, too!

14 of 15

Cranberry Dressing for Red Cabbage Slaw

curried chicken

This vivid dressing is made mouthwatering by the combination of fresh cranberries and smoky maple syrup. The red-on-red of the slaw and the dressing are the perfect colorful antidote for long winter nights.

15 of 15

Cranberry Clafoutis

Cranberry Clafouti
Yunhee Kim

A simple winter riff on clafoutis, a simple French dessert most often made with cherries in the summer. Here, the creamy custard is gorgeous with the bright contrast of refreshing cranberries.

Updated by
Victoria Spencer
Victoria Spencer, senior food editor, MarthaStewart.com
Victoria Spencer is an experienced food editor, writer, and recipe developer. She manages the Martha Stewart recipe archive and is always curious about new ingredients and the best techniques. She has been working in food media for over 20 years.
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