Cranberries are tart, colorful, and fun to use in many dishes. They aren’t just for sauce—you can mix them into salads, spreads, dips, or even main meals. These recipes show how cranberries can add flavor and brightness to everyday cooking.
Each idea is simple enough for regular dinners or special gatherings. From sliders to slow cooker dishes, you’ll find something tasty and easy to try. Cranberries bring a fresh pop of flavor wherever you use them.
1. Turkey Cranberry Sliders with Garlic Herb Butter Rolls
These sliders are small sandwiches filled with tender turkey and sweet cranberry sauce. The soft rolls are brushed with garlic butter that makes them extra flavorful. They’re a fun way to use turkey and make it taste fresh and new again.
Try these turkey cranberry sliders with garlic rolls.
2. Apple Cranberry Coleslaw with Toasted Sunflower Seeds
This coleslaw is crisp and refreshing with cabbage, apple, and cranberries. Toasted sunflower seeds add crunch and nutty flavor. It’s a simple side dish that goes well with chicken, turkey, or sandwiches.
Make this apple cranberry coleslaw with sunflower seeds.
3. Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce with Fresh Orange Zest
Cooking cranberries in a slow cooker makes them soft and sweet without much effort. Orange zest adds a bright citrus flavor that makes the sauce taste extra fresh. It’s an easy holiday recipe you can also use for sandwiches.
Check out this slow cooker cranberry sauce with orange zest.
4. Spicy Cranberry Jalapeño Dip with Cream Cheese Swirl
This dip is creamy, colorful, and has a little spice. Cranberries and jalapeño make it sweet and tangy, while cream cheese makes it smooth. Serve it with crackers or chips for a snack that stands out.
Here’s how to make this spicy cranberry jalapeño dip.
5. Spinach Cranberry Feta Pinwheels in Puff Pastry
These pinwheels look fancy but are easy to make. Spinach, feta, and cranberries are rolled in soft puff pastry and baked until golden. The cheese is creamy, the cranberries add sweetness, and the pastry is flaky in every bite. They’re great for a holiday party tray or as a warm snack for family nights.
Try these spinach cranberry feta pinwheels.
6. Slow Cooker Cranberry Glazed Meatballs with BBQ Sauce
These meatballs simmer in a slow cooker until they’re tender and coated in a cranberry barbecue glaze. The sauce is tangy, sweet, and sticky enough to make them stand out. You can serve them as an appetizer, with rice, or even inside a sandwich bun. The slow cooker makes them hands-off, so they’re ready when you need them.
Make a batch of cranberry glazed meatballs.
7. Whipped Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese Spread
This spread is smooth and creamy with just a hint of spice. The cranberries add brightness, while the jalapeño gives it a gentle kick that isn’t too strong. You can spread it on crackers, bagels, or toast for a snack or light breakfast. It’s also tasty as part of a cheese board with nuts and fruit.
Check out this cranberry jalapeño cream cheese spread.
8. Cranberry Vinaigrette Salad Dressing
This dressing blends cranberry sauce with olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and honey. It’s tart, sweet, and smooth, making it a nice balance for fresh greens. A drizzle of this dressing turns a plain salad into something colorful and full of flavor. It’s especially good with spinach, walnuts, and crumbled cheese.
Make this cranberry vinaigrette salad dressing.
9. Whipped Cranberry Honey Butter with Sea Salt
This butter is creamy and light with a mix of tart cranberry and sweet honey. A sprinkle of sea salt makes the flavor shine. Spread it over warm rolls, pancakes, or muffins for something special. It also works as a topping for roasted sweet potatoes or cornbread.
Try this cranberry honey butter with sea salt.
10. Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad with Greek Yogurt Dressing
This chicken salad is creamy, crunchy, and fresh all at once. The yogurt dressing keeps it lighter than mayo, while walnuts and cranberries give texture and flavor. It’s delicious stuffed into pita bread, spooned over lettuce, or served with crackers. You can make it ahead for a quick lunch or picnic.
Check out this cranberry walnut chicken salad.
11. Sausage Turkey Cranberry Stuffing Balls
These stuffing balls are a fun twist on traditional stuffing. They mix sausage, turkey, bread, and cranberries into bite-sized rounds that bake until golden. Each bite is savory, with just a little sweetness from the berries. They make a tasty side for holiday dinners, or you can serve them as appetizers.
Here’s how to make cranberry stuffing balls.
12. Skillet Pork Chops with Cranberry Dijon Glaze
These pork chops are seared in a skillet until juicy, then coated with a cranberry Dijon glaze. The sauce is tangy and slightly sweet, balancing the rich flavor of the meat. It’s a quick dinner that looks and tastes like something special. Add mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables on the side for a full meal.
Try these pork chops with cranberry Dijon glaze.
13. BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches with Cranberry Slaw
These sandwiches combine smoky barbecue chicken with crunchy cranberry slaw. The coleslaw adds tartness and freshness that balance the rich chicken. Serve them on soft buns for a dinner or lunch everyone will enjoy. They’re filling but not too heavy, making them great for weeknights.
Make these BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches with slaw.
14. Crostini with Goat Cheese Dried Cranberries and Thyme
These crostini are simple but full of flavor. Crunchy bread is topped with soft goat cheese, dried cranberries, and a sprinkle of thyme. The mix of creamy, sweet, and savory makes them a perfect snack or party appetizer. They look pretty on a platter and come together quickly.
Here’s how to make cranberry goat cheese crostini.
15. Holiday Ham with Brown Sugar Cranberry Glaze
This ham is baked with a glaze made from cranberries, brown sugar, and spices. The result is juicy, sweet, and tangy with a shiny finish on top. It’s a show-stopping main dish for holiday meals or family gatherings. Leftovers also taste amazing on sandwiches.
Check out this holiday ham with cranberry glaze.
16. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cranberry Balsamic Reduction
These Brussels sprouts are roasted until they’re crisp and caramelized. A balsamic and cranberry glaze is drizzled over the top, giving them a sweet and tangy finish. This side dish is colorful, flavorful, and a good way to make sprouts taste exciting. It pairs nicely with chicken, pork, or holiday roasts.
Make these roasted Brussels sprouts with cranberry glaze.
17. Turkey, Cranberry & Cheese Sandwich
This sandwich layers turkey, cheese, and cranberry into something both simple and delicious. The tart berries balance the creamy cheese, and the turkey makes it hearty. It’s a great way to use leftovers or make a quick meal that feels special. Add lettuce or avocado if you want extra flavor.
Make this turkey cranberry cheese sandwich.
18. Baked Cranberry Brie Bites
These bites are made with pastry cups filled with warm brie and cranberry sauce. They’re gooey, sweet, and savory all in one little bite. The pastry is golden and crisp, while the cheese stays soft inside. They’re perfect for holidays, game days, or anytime you want a snack that feels a little fancy.
Check out these baked cranberry brie bites.
Final Thoughts
Cranberries can do so much more than sit on the side of the holiday table. They add brightness, sweetness, and a little tart kick to many different foods. From snacks and salads to hearty dinners, these 20 recipes show just how flexible cranberries can be.
If you’re looking for simple ideas to bring more color and flavor to your meals, these dishes are a great place to start. Cranberries make everyday cooking feel fresh and new.