Our Favorite Cranberry Recipes

This ruby-colored super-food is a hallmark of the holidays but, this year, freeze a few extra bags so you can enjoy our sweet and tart cranberry recipes year round.

We won't deny that the majority of our annual cranberry cooking takes place around the holidays with seasonal cranberry sauces. But, some of our favorite cranberry recipes can easily be transformed from a holiday treat to an everyday delight. From muffins and pie to margaritas and salsa, these cranberry recipes will make you realize this sweet and tart ingredient is more nimble than you might think. The versatility of our Cranberry-Pepper Jelly will transform cranberries into a condiment you crave while our Mini Banana-Cranberry-Nut Bread Loaves will offer you the perfect hostess gift for any gathering, no matter the season. Our Cranberry-Almond Coleslaw just might become your new favorite dinner side dish, and you definitely have to try our Cranberry Roasted Winter Vegetables – it’s a delight. Taste these delicious dishes, and be ready to fall in love with cranberries outside of the holiday season with our best cranberry recipes.

1 of 20 Hector M Sanchez

Molded Cranberry Salad

Recipe: Molded Cranberry Salad

We'll admit it: We wouldn't want to revisit many of the congealed salads we published in the sixties, but rediscovering this jewel of a recipe was like finding a timeless dress at a vintage store.

2 of 20 Photo: Alison Miksch; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Cranberry-Orange Muffins

Recipe: Cranberry-Orange Muffins

Sprinkle the tops of the glazed muffins with coarse sugar to add texture and a little sparkle.

3 of 20 Photo: Alison Miksch; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Wine-Spiked Cranberry Cheese Log

Recipe: Wine-Spiked Cranberry Cheese Log

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.

4 of 20 Photo: Alison Miksch; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Spicy Cranberry Salsa

Recipe: Spicy Cranberry Salsa

Here's our new go-to condiment to use on everything from tamales to turkey sandwiches.

5 of 20 Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Cranberry-Goat Cheese Canapés

Recipe: Cranberry-Goat Cheese Canapés

Stir together the cranberry mixture up to 3 days ahead of time. Assemble the canapés the day of your party.

6 of 20 Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Cranberry Margaritas

Recipe: Cranberry Margaritas

From the kitchen of Shawnda Horn, Houston, Texas, jasonandshawnda.com
"Who says margaritas are just for the summertime? Mix up a beautiful batch of this sipper for a festive holiday party pleaser."

7 of 20 Photo: Melina Hammer; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Apple-Cranberry-Pomegranate Salsa

Recipe: Apple-Cranberry-Pomegranate Salsa

This bracing and fresh all-purpose condiment pairs well with any holiday pork roast or turkey. Look for refrigerated prepackaged pomegranate seeds in the supermarket this time of year, or buy whole fruit for the recipe and garnish with any extra.

8 of 20 Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Apple, Pear, and Cranberry Pie

Recipe: Apple, Pear, and Cranberry Pie

Use slightly firm pears and crisp, tart apples here to achieve the best texture in the filling, and let this mountainous pie cool and settle for at least two hours before serving.

9 of 20 Photo: Melina Hammer; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Sparkling Cranberries

Recipe: Sparkling Cranberries

From the kitchen of Marina Delio, yummymummykitchen.com, Santa Barbara, California
Serve them with baked Brie or as a pretty garnish for cakes or pies.

10 of 20 Photo: Jim Franco; Styling: Lydia Degaris Pursell

Cranberry Roasted Winter Vegetables

Recipe: Cranberry Roasted Winter Vegetables

A medley of roasted vegetables including carrots and turnips combine with Brussels sprouts, cranberries, and a drizzle of molasses in one delicious side dish.

11 of 20 Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Cranberry-Pepper Jelly

Recipe: Cranberry-Pepper Jelly

We love the versatility of Cranberry-Pepper Jelly. This peppery-tart condiment is just as good with cream cheese and a cracker as it is topped on pork tenderloin.