27 Creative Ways To Use Cranberries This Thanksgiving

Cranberries always seem to show up as the same old sauce, sitting on the table like an afterthought. But it’s time to let this tart little fruit shine where it really belongs—in all kinds of creative, unexpected dishes that’ll have your Thanksgiving guests actually noticing them. From appetizers to desserts, cranberries can do a whole lot more than you think, and they’re here to prove it.

Pickled Cranberries

These tangy, quick-pickled cranberries are perfect for adding to salads, meats, or even cocktails. They’re a creative way to use cranberries that goes beyond the usual sauces and desserts.
Get the Recipe: Pickled Cranberries

Green Beans with Cranberries, Bacon & Goat Cheese

Green beans are paired with tangy cranberries, crispy bacon, and creamy goat cheese for a side dish that’s full of flavor. It’s an easy way to include cranberries in your Thanksgiving lineup without taking over the meal.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans with Cranberries, Bacon & Goat Cheese

Cranberry Curd Tart

This tart features a smooth cranberry curd in a crisp oat-and-nut crust. It’s a visually stunning dessert that makes cranberries the centerpiece of your Thanksgiving table.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Curd Tart

Cranberry Pesto Stuffed Lamb

Cranberries shine in this stuffed lamb dish, with a pesto made from fresh herbs and pine nuts. It’s a bold and festive centerpiece for a holiday dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Pesto Stuffed Lamb

Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies combine the tartness of cranberries with the sweetness of chocolate chips. They’re a holiday favorite that turns a classic dessert into something special.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cranberry Orange Cognac Butter

This compound butter, made with cognac-soaked cranberries and fresh rosemary, is perfect for slathering on turkey, rolls, or roasted vegetables. It’s a simple way to bring cranberries into every part of your meal.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Cognac Butter

Cranberry Cherry Glazed Turkey

This glaze combines cranberries and cherries for a sweet and sticky topping that transforms your turkey into a showstopper. It’s a flavorful way to make cranberries the star of your Thanksgiving feast.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Cherry Glazed Turkey

Whipped Ricotta Dip with Balsamic and Cranberries

This creamy ricotta dip is topped with tangy balsamic glaze and sweet-tart cranberries, creating a stunning appetizer for your Thanksgiving table. It’s a simple, crowd-pleasing dish that highlights cranberries in an elegant way.
Get the Recipe: Whipped Ricotta Dip with Balsamic and Cranberries

Cranberry Orange Rolls

These fluffy rolls are filled with orange marmalade, dried cranberries, and crunchy walnuts, making them a flavorful and creative addition to your Thanksgiving spread. With no yeast required, they come together quickly, perfect for busy holiday prep.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Rolls

Cranberry Orange Pound Cake

This moist orange-vanilla pound cake features tart cranberries baked throughout and is topped with a bright orange glaze. It’s a delicious dessert that gives cranberries a starring role while complementing other Thanksgiving flavors.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Pound Cake

Mini Crustless Cranberry Pie

These individual cranberry pies skip the crust but keep all the flavor, making them a creative and quick dessert option. Made in the air fryer, they’re perfect for saving oven space during Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Mini Crustless Cranberry Pie

Cranberry Meatballs

These meatballs are slow-cooked in a tangy cranberry BBQ sauce, combining savory and sweet flavors for a perfect holiday appetizer. It’s an easy and unexpected way to bring cranberries into your Thanksgiving menu.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Meatballs

Roasted Cranberry Chicken

Juicy chicken thighs are roasted with fresh herbs and tangy cranberries, creating a dish that’s both flavorful and festive. It’s a creative way to incorporate cranberries into the main course with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cranberry Chicken

Fall Cranberry Quinoa Salad with Kale

This colorful quinoa salad combines kale, cranberries, and other fall ingredients for a vibrant side dish. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a light and fresh way to include cranberries in your Thanksgiving meal.
Get the Recipe: Fall Cranberry Quinoa Salad with Kale

Sourdough Cranberry Yogurt Muffins

These moist, bakery-style muffins are packed with fresh cranberries, orange zest, and sourdough discard for extra flavor. They’re an easy make-ahead breakfast or snack to keep everyone fueled during the holiday chaos.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Cranberry Yogurt Muffins

Orange Cranberry Rice Pilaf

This fragrant rice pilaf features dried cranberries and a hint of orange for a bright, flavorful side dish. It pairs beautifully with roast meats, making it a great addition to your Thanksgiving feast.
Get the Recipe: Orange Cranberry Rice Pilaf

Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites

These puff pastry bites combine creamy brie and tangy cranberries for an elegant yet easy appetizer. With just five ingredients, they’re a simple way to bring cranberries to the party in a savory dish.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites

Apple Cranberry Scones

These buttery scones are filled with juicy apples and tart cranberries, making them perfect for a Thanksgiving breakfast or snack. Their crisp edges and tender centers highlight cranberries in a comforting, seasonal treat.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cranberry Scones

Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip

This dip layers creamy cheese with fresh cranberry salsa and a kick of jalapeno for a bold and festive appetizer. It’s a flavorful way to showcase cranberries in a surprising combination that will impress your guests.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip

Nantucket Cranberry Pie

This almond cake is filled with tart cranberries and topped with crunchy nuts, making it a holiday favorite. Simple to prepare, it’s a creative way to turn cranberries into a dessert that feels traditional yet different.
Get the Recipe: Nantucket Cranberry Pie

Cinnamon Orange Cranberry Sauce

This homemade cranberry sauce adds orange and cinnamon for a bright, spiced flavor that complements turkey and all your holiday sides. It’s a classic Thanksgiving staple with a fresh twist.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Orange Cranberry Sauce

Sparkling Cranberries

These sugar-coated cranberries are as fun to eat as they are to look at. Perfect as a garnish, snack, or addition to a charcuterie board, they bring festive flair and a sweet-tart pop to your Thanksgiving table.
Get the Recipe: Sparkling Cranberries

Apple Cranberry Pie

This flaky pie combines tart cranberries and sweet apples for a dessert that’s perfect for Thanksgiving. It’s a great way to showcase cranberries in a dessert everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cranberry Pie

Cranberry Marshmallow Pancakes

These fluffy pancakes are topped with tart cranberries and gooey marshmallows for a fun holiday breakfast. They’re easy to make and bring a festive twist to your morning.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Marshmallow Pancakes

Cranberry Almond Scones

These scones are packed with tart cranberries and crunchy almonds, making them a quick and tasty snack or breakfast. Ready in just 20 minutes, they’re perfect for busy holiday mornings.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Almond Scones

Cranberry Tartlets with Whipped Feta

These phyllo tartlets are filled with creamy whipped feta and topped with cranberries for a savory, bite-sized appetizer. They’re simple, festive, and a creative way to highlight cranberries at your Thanksgiving gathering.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Tartlets with Whipped Feta

Apple Cranberry Dump Cake

This dessert layers cinnamon-spiced apples and cranberries under a crisp vanilla cake topping. It’s an easy, no-fuss way to enjoy cranberries in a dessert that feels homemade without the effort.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cranberry Dump Cake