Cranberries…this tart, beautiful red fall fruit has much more to offer than sitting on the Thanksgiving table as a sugar-laden jellied sauce. While I enjoy a bite of jellied cranberry sauce every now and then, I much prefer sauce made from fresh cranberries. What’s more, fresh cranberries can be added to many different types of recipes – not just sauce. Dried cranberries also have a place in cooking, finding their way into all kinds of recipes. And I do have several cranberry recipes to share with you today. But first, let’s learn a bit about cranberries and why you might want to try some of these cranberry recipes.
Cranberries are only harvested in the fall, but they are easily stored in the refrigerator for up to a month or in the freezer for up to a year. That means you can use them in recipes at most any time of the year. Their bright red color adds visual interest to recipes while their tart, tangy flavor easily brightens up the taste of many dishes. Cranberries are also versatile and easy to cook with, and can be added to many types of recipes.
Nutritionally, cranberries offer plenty of benefits, like helping prevent urinary tract infections. They’re especially rich in vitamin C, but also high in a number of other nutrients, such vitamin E, manganese, copper, and fiber.
Not sure how to cook with or incorporate fresh cranberries or dried cranberries into your recipes? I’ve got you covered with this round up of fabulous and delicious cranberry recipes from some of my dietitian colleagues. You’ll find a wide variety of recipes and even some that are vegan and/or gluten free. Take a look and try one today!
Appetizers
Butternut Squash and Cranberry Hemp Crostini – Kara of Kara Lydon Nutrition
Cranberry Pumpkin Butter (also a great breakfast recipe) – Jenny of My Cape Cod Kitchen
Cranberry Orange Salsa – Brittany of Your Choice Nutrition
Breads and Breakfast
Whole Wheat Lemon Cranberry Scones – Josten of Muscle & Manna
Orange Cranberry Bread – Laura of Being Nutritious
Cranberry Pomegranate Baked Oatmeal – Sarah of Bucket List Tummy
Cranberry-Orange Fruit Smoothies – Marie of Healthy Ideas Place
Cranberry Ginger Baked Oatmeal – Katie of Mom’s Kitchen Handbook
Desserts and Treats
Vegan Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies – Sharon The Plant Powered Dietitian
Orange Cranberry Tart (also a great breakfast recipe) – Judy of Live Best
Cranberry Orange Dutch Baby – Jessica of Jessica Levinson
Cranberry Pumpkin Upside Down Cake – Jenny of My Cape Cod Kitchen
Main Dish/Entrée
Autumn Chicken Sausage Sheet Pan Dinner – Lindsey of Nutrition to Fit
Chicken Thighs with Cranberries and Butternut Squash – Kaitlin of Rebecca Bitzer & Associates
Pomegranate-Cranberry Chicken – Marie of Healthy Ideas Place
Easy Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs (this might double as an appetizer too) – Tawnie of Kroll’s Korner
Salads
Spinach, Arugula and Pomegranate Salad with Cranberry Citrus Vinaigrette – Marie of Healthy Ideas Place
Winter Kale Salad with Cranberries and Cranberry Vinaigrette – Lindsey of Nutrition to Fit
Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Salad with Tahini Dressing – Edwina of Edwina Clark
Roasted Butternut Squash and Cranberry Quinoa Salad with Cider Dijon Vinaigrette – Jessica of Jessica Levinson
Sauces
Cranberry Sauce with Grand Marnier – Michele of My Millennial Kitchen
Cranberry Sauce with Red Wine and Ginger – Marie of Healthy Ideas Place
Fresh Cranberry Chia Seed Compote – Tawnie of Kroll’s Korner
Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Parsnips – Lizzie of It’s a Veg World After All
Fresh Cranberry Orange Relish (Vegan, Gluten-Free) – Sharon The Plant Powered Dietitian
Side Dishes
Cranberry Apple Leek Whole Grain Stuffing (Vegan) – Sharon The Plant Powered Dietitian
Sheetpan Maple Balsamic Roasted Vegetables (Vegan) – Sarah of Bucket List Tummy
Wild Rice and Mushroom Pilaf with Cranberries – Lizzie of It’s a Veg World After All
Honeynut Squash Stuffed with Caramelized Onion, Cranberries, Spinach and Bacon – Liz of Liz’s Healthy Table