You can see it on the Thanksgiving table now — the lonely bowl of jiggly crimson red cranberry sauce that no one has touched. It’s not the cranberry’s fault that it’s often relegated to the back of the buffet table. It’s just that most people don’t put the thought and care into making creative cranberry sauce recipes that they should. If this is the rut you find yourself in every year, scroll down to take your holiday cranberry recipes to the next level with these 18 sweet and savory dishes. Trust us — you won’t be sorry you experimented, and your guests will definitely thank you.
1. Cranberry Curd Tart: Cranberry is beloved for its bold, tart flavor. If you’re a fan of tangy lemon curd, you’ll love this equally pucker-inducing tart that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. (via NYT Cooking)
2. Baked Brie With Candied Pancetta, Pecans and Spicy Cranberries: No holiday party is complete without a gooey serving of warm Brie. Top with salty pancetta, pecans and sweet and spicy cranberries to make it even more festive. (via Cooking for Keeps)
3. Butternut Squash and Cranberry Quinoa Salad: If you’ve not been a HUGE fan of cranberries in the past, ease yourself in with a dish that features them in dried form. This autumnal salad is a great way to do that, and will be a hit every time you make it. (via Little Broken)
4. No-BakeCranberry Cheesecakes: Strawberry and cherry shouldn’t get to have ALL of the fun when it comes to topping cheesecake. Use leftover homemade cranberry sauce or make it fresh to give the rich dessert a zesty bite. (via My Baking Addiction)
5. Cran-Pistachio Cookies: These green and red cookies scream Christmas. Bake them for your annual BFF cookie exchange and be sure to come prepared with the recipe, because your buds *will* beg you for it. (via The Girl Who Ate Everything)
6. Cranberry Almond Cake: The holidays are full of indulgent cakes and desserts — lighten things up with this simple cranberry almond cake. Decorate with sugared cranberries for a *gorgeous* holiday look. (via Saving Room for Dessert)
7. Spicy Cranberry Barbecue Meatballs: Three ingredients are all that stand between you and these meatballs. If you have a can of cranberry sauce in the pantry you know you’ll never use, now’s the perfect time to break it out. (via Yellow Bliss Road)
8. Cranberry Brownies: True cranberry lovers will adore these brownies. They have both frozen cranberries and chocolate-covered dried cranberries in the batter, so you’re sure to have some in every bite. (via Bakerita)
9. Cranberry, Caramelized Onion and Fresh Herb Focaccia: Fresh cranberries truly shine when paired with savory ingredients. This fluffy focaccia is topped with shallots, rosemary and balsamic vinegar, along with juicy roasted cranberries. (via The Floating Kitchen)
10. Cranberry Glazed Turkey Breast: Kill two birds with one stone by coating your turkey breast in a homemade cranberry glaze. Your Thanksgiving leftover sandwich with seriously thank you. (via I Food Blogger)
11. Cranberry Goat Cheese Log With Walnuts, Pecans and Parsley: Why should you buy a pre-made goat cheese log when it’s just as easy to make your own? This one is rolled in a mixture of nuts, herbs and dried cranberries and served on a bed of cranberry sauce. (via Peas and Crayons)
12. Cranberry-Pecan Coffee Cake: If you have overnight guests during the holidays, you know you’ll have to plan food for multiple days. The morning after the festivities are over, break out this cake and watch everyone’s face light up. (via Lemon Tree Dwelling)
13. Cranberry Vinaigrette: Subtly incorporate cranberry into your meal with this tangy vinaigrette. Drizzle on top of a kale salad or even marinate your meat in it for just a hint of that cranberry taste. (via Healthy Seasonal Recipes)
14. Cranberry Square With Walnut Shortbread: This fuss-free dessert is unapologetically *full* of cranberry. The walnut shortbread crust is the perfect complement to the tangy curd filling and completes the whole dessert effortlessly. (via The Finer Cookie)
15. Leftover Cranberry Sauce Popsicles With Maple Syrup and Greek Yogurt: Just because the holidays are typically chilly in most of the country doesn’t mean that’s the case everywhere (looking at you, California). If your Thanksgiving ends up feeling more like the Fourth of July, then these cranberry popsicles will be a fun dessert for the whole fam. (via Up Close and Tasty)
16. Cranberry Rosemary White ChristmasSangria: Cranberries are a beautiful addition to this Christmas sangria. When mixed with apples, rosemary and Pinot Grigio, they create the perfect co*cktail for any holiday dinner table. (via Jerry James Stone)
17. Sparkling Cranberry White Chocolate Cake: White chocolate is *literally* the icing on top of this moist sour cream cake. To give it extra oomph, pile it high with fresh cranberries inside and out. (via Life Love and Sugar)
18. Turkey, Brie and Cranberry Mustard Panini: Thanksgiving leftovers are just as important as the main meal. Treat them right by making an epic panini featuring your favorite dishes from the day before. (via Just a Little Bit of Bacon)
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Paige Johnson
Paige is a blogger, food writer and culinary master from Louisville, Ky. She's a newlywed who's obsessed with dogs and renovating her 117 year old home. When she's not working on her blog — My Modern Cookery — you can find her binge watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S with a triple shot latte in-hand.
