20 cranberry recipes to try this season

It’s cranberry season my friends and I have a list of 20 AMAZING fresh cranberry recipes for you to try this season. From pizza and cocktails to shrimp cocktail, I’ve got a range of from-scratch fresh cranberry recipes for everyone! 

I have been calling and tweeting and visiting the produce guys at my local markets. Asking, wondering, pleading. When the heck are cranberries coming in?

Well, it’s official! Cranberry season has begun and I am celebrating today with some recipes for you to make featuring fresh cranberries.

HOW TO BUY FRESH CRANBERRIES

Ways to Purchase Cranberries:

You can find cranberries fresh, frozen or dried. For the following recipes, you can use either fresh or frozen. I have a whole host of dried cranberries recipes here too, but I wanted to make a useful resource for you all to enjoy fresh cranberries while they’re in season. 

Produce Department: 

At the market, especially in natural food stores or Whole Foods, you can find fresh cranberries in bulk in the produce department, often times in a big trough of water with a slotted scoop to get them out. Since cranberries float, you can just scoop them right out. I love buying them this way, and I try to find local Vermont cranberries whenever they’re in season. 

Bagged Fresh Cranberries:

Other times, and most commonly, you’ll find cranberries sold in 12-ounce bags in the produce department.

Frozen Cranberries: 

Also sometimes you can find frozen cranberries in bags. The vast majority of times you can use frozen cranberries in place of fresh. Unlike frozen raspberries, they do not weep when thawed, so you have more wiggle room in making the substitutions. 

Ditch wrinkled cranberries: 

Avoid cranberries that are wrinkled or look like they are softening. These are not good, and should get composted. If you’re purchasing bulk cranberries, just avoid the ones that don’t look fresh, the others should be fine. 

Keep them In the Fridge:

Once you get them home, make sure they are dry and store them in the refrigerator. 

Tips For Cooking With Fresh Cranberries

1. Why Cranberries Burst When Cooked: Cranberries are hollow, so when they are simmered or cooked the air inside heats up and expands, and then the cranberry will burst. If you are making a cranberry sauce (see below for my fave) you’ll want to be on the lookout for that mini berry explosion, and that’s when you know your cranberry sauce is done.
2. Using Cranberries in Baking: For baking recipes, cranberries can be added in raw, either whole or chopped depending on the recipe.
3. Using Frozen Cranberries: If you have frozen berries, you can use them while they are still frozen! When in doubt check the notes of the recipe you are using. 
4. Balance Flavors: Cranberries are very tart and astringent, so when cooking with them, add contrasting flavors, such as sweet or salty to help balance them out.

20 Fresh Cranberry Recipes

I have been collecting links for some of my favorite healthy cranberry recipes to share with you for weeks now.

I wanted to be ready to go when the cranberry season officially started. I didn’t want to miss a single moment! That’s because I don’t just love cranberries during Thanksgiving and the other winter holidays, but I love them all season long.

We have them in bread, bars and even on flatbread! And the best part is that they are super healthy for you! Now finally I can share the collection of 20 recipes I brought together. Thank you to all of the other bloggers who contributed these amazing good-for you cranberry ideas. Hope you enjoy!  

Cranberry Crumb Bars  are an all time favorite baking recipe for a Christmas dessert or afternoon snack and any time around the winter holidays.

Help yourself to a slice of this sweet and tart Cranberry Cake with Almond Flour. It is made with sour cream instead of butter to give it tender texture!

Cranberry Sauce with Orange. This Cranberry Sauce with Orange is one of my most beloved Thanksgiving recipes here on Healthy Seasonal Recipes. It’s an annual tradition! It’s made with fresh orange segments, orange juice and allspice, and cooked into a sweet and tart whole berry cranberry sauce. It’s made with about half the sugar, but it’s full of natural sweetness and spice for a unique and gourmet cranberry sauce that’ll become a tradition for you too.

Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin Tacos with Cranberries From Food Faith Fitness. These healthy, gluten free slow cooker pork tenderloin tacos are packed with spicy-sweet fall flavor, and are an easy, weeknight, meal that the whole family will love!

Roasted Cranberry and Goat Cheese Flatbread This roasted cranberry and goat cheese flatbread is a non-traditional pizza. It is an unexpected holiday party appetizer.

Cranberry Vinaigrette  It’s healthy, easy cranberry vinaigrette for dressing up fall and winter salads. You’ll want to keep this recipe handy, since it is a nice way to switch up your usual salad routine and it has tons of flavor. It is also special enough for Thanksgiving or your holiday table. 

Cranberry Orange Mulled Wine by Wine and Glue. This Cranberry Orange Mulled Wine is the perfect drink for your holiday party and a great Thanksgiving Recipe!

Cranberry Maple Apple Crumb Pie Here’s a Maple Cranberry Apple Pie recipe for Thanksgiving with a deep dish whole grain crust and a sweet crumble topping. It’s no joke one of my favorite pies of all time.

Cranberry Mango Layered Smoothie– it’s vegan friendly! From Peas and Crayons. This festive Cranberry Mango Layered Smoothie combines two tasty layers of fruit with hidden veggies for a layered smoothie that’s so easy to make!

Cranberry Almond Bread This almond cranberry bread is a healthy, refined sugar-free and whole grain recipe that makes a super holiday gift from the kitchen. It is also a kid-friendly snack for after school, or perfect to bring along if you are going to visit friends or family over the holidays.

Cranberry Apple Christmas Breakfast Casserole If you are looking for a make-ahead breakfast casserole for Christmas morning, look no further. This Cranberry Apple Christmas Casserole will be a huge hit with the whole family and it can be assembled the day before. It’s made with vanilla Greek yogurt, fresh cranberries, sourdough bread, eggs and it’s topped with a crunchy nut streusel topping.

Cranberry Balsamic Roasted Chicken by Cotter Crunch. Roasted chicken made with a delicious balsamic chicken marinade, cranberries, and fresh thyme. This paleo one pan chicken recipe is beyond easy! 

Cranberry Tangerine Negroni A holiday Negroni cocktail with cranberries, Campari, fresh tangerine juice, gin and sweet vermouth.

How to Make Sugared Cranberries by Boulder Locavore. Sugared cranberries are a wonderful holiday treat and add an extra festive touch to baked goods and cocktails (or mocktails). They are easy to make and once you make a batch you’ll be hooked. Fun gift idea too!

Cranberry Relish This is my mom’s recipe for raw cranberry relish with ground up orange and raspberry jam. It only takes 1o minutes to make and it can be made up to two days before Thanksgiving.

Almond Waffles with Cranberry Syrup These crispy Almond Waffles with Cranberry Orange Honey Syrup are EVERYTHING! They’re crisp as all good waffles should be, and then they are also almondy (like the flavor of an almond macaroon) That alone renders them too good. But then the tart sweet cranberry orange honey syrup makes them an absolute treat. 

Cranberry Brie Crostini from Neighborfood Blog. Sweet, tangy, colorful, and toasted. These Roasted Balsamic Cranberry and Brie Crostini make for s snazzy Holiday appetizer.

Curried Chicken with Fresh and Dried Cranberries from Eating Well. Fresh and dried cranberries, tomatoes, mustard seeds and fragrant curry spices brighten this zesty Indian-spiced chicken stew. The dish is excellent prepared ahead and reheated, so it is a convenient entree for casual entertaining. Serve with brown basmati rice. 

Cranberry Crisp by Gimme Some Oven. This delicious Cranberry Crisp recipe is made with lots and lots of fresh cranberries, it’s easy to prep ahead of time, and it’s the perfect holiday dessert!  Feel free to bake it up in a 9-x-9-inch baking dish, or in cute little mini individual ramekins.

Roasted Shrimp Cocktail with Cranberry Chutney by Confessions of a Fit Foodie. Roasted Shrimp Cocktail with Cranberry Horseradish Chutney is the perfect protein packed Thanksgiving appetizer!

Cranberry Smoothie Bowl by Nutmeg Nanny. This cranberry smoothie bowl is packed full of cranberries, mixed berries, bananas, almond milk and topped with coconut, chia seeds and nuts. It’s healthy, delicious and the perfect holiday rush breakfast.

What is your favorite way to cook with cranberries?