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Easy Ways to Begin Cooking with Cranberries

Cranberries are essential to a holiday meal. They are a great accompaniment to turkey, duck, goose, and other fowl, as well as beef or pork roasts. That tang from a side of cranberries cleanses the palette and cuts through the fat.

Cooking with fresh cranberries is actually pretty easy, and the end result is a whole lot tastier than the stuff that’s in the shape of a can. Check out these tasty cranberry recipes and make the most of cranberry season.

Cranberries are a holiday classic, and there are so many different ways to use them. Cooking with cranberries doesn't have to be difficult!

Fresh Cranberry Sauce

Homemade fresh cranberry sauce is perhaps the most classic way to cook cranberries. It doesn’t take much more than whole cranberries, orange juice, cinnamon, and a sweeter, but there are endless variations to suit your fancy.

This made from scratch orange spiced cranberry sauce is incredibly delicious. The addition of orange and spices pair amazingly with cranberries.

You can also get creative and add some other fruits to your cranberry sauce, such as this fresh cranberry and cherry sauce. Other fruits you could use are apples, pears, or plums.

A white bowl filled with luscious cranberry sauce sits on a dark, textured surface. The rich red color and chunky texture embody the essence of cooking with cranberries. Text in the bottom right corner reads, "Attainable Sustainable.
Ginger Spiced Fresh Cranberry Sauce from Attainable Sustainable

Preserved Cranberries

Preserving cranberries is a great way to enjoy them year round. I happen to love cranberries, so this idea really appeals to me!

It’s never a bad idea to throw a splash of liquor in with your holiday recipes, and cranberries are no exception. Can up some jars of this brandied cranberry sauce and your taste buds will be happy! You can use apple juice instead of the brandy if you want to avoid alcohol.

You can also try making this cranberry pear jam. I’d probably use this on my morning toast all winter long if I could.

I really love the sound of this cranberry honey mustard. Just think, it’s an all in one spread for your leftover turkey sandwiches. What a great idea!

Lastly, you can make preserve cranberries by fermenting them in honey.

Two jars of homemade cranberry sauce sit on a wooden table, surrounded by scattered cranberries—a testament to the joy of cooking with cranberries. A spoonful of sauce rests nearby, with a blurred honey container softly enhancing the scene in the background.
Cranberry Honey Mustard from Homespun Seasonal Living

Cranberry Desserts

Cranberries also are a great fruit to include in desserts. They are full of vitamin C and antioxidants, so it’s almost like you’re eating something healthy, right?

This cranberry jello salad is a classic and can be used as a dessert or as a side dish. This is probably something that your grandma would make, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t make it anymore! Old time holiday classics are always fun to recreate.

How about this cranberry pear spoon cake? Sounds pretty tasty to me!

Make these cranberry chestnut bars or cranberry walnut power balls for your gluten-free friends. Or just make them because they sound delicious!

And then there’s pie. This you absolutely cannot go wrong with! Try this easy cranberry walnut pie, or go classic with cranberry apple pie with maple syrup and cinnamon. Yummy!

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Fermented Cranberries

Did you know that you can ferment cranberries? It’s one of my own personal favorite ways to enjoy them. Learn the basics of how to make fermented cranberries here.

You can also make a lacto fermented cranberry apple relish. This sounds delish as is, and I bet the fermentation process transforms it into something even more wonderful!

These fermented honey cranberries also look interesting and fun. Fermenting in honey is a different way to go about it, but the sweetness pairs very well with the tart berries.

Overhead view of a jar filled with cherry preserves, reminiscent of cooking with cranberries. A spoon rests on top, holding several cherries in syrup. The jar is placed on a wooden surface.
Create sweet treats that you can feel good about serving for dessert.

Cranberry Drinks

Last but not least we have cranberry drinks, and these aren’t your typical cranberry “cocktail” that you’ll find in the grocery store. Try this homemade cranberry punch for a much healthier version.

You can also give this fizzy fermented cranberry kombucha a try. Kombucha is a popular fermented drink that is good for your health, so drink up!

Not everything has to be healthy, though. It is the holidays, right? I think indulging in a cranberry orange margarita is something we all deserve this time of year!

What is your favorite cranberry recipe?

A wooden surface features a bowl of cranberries, sliced oranges, cinnamon sticks, and scattered cranberries. The text "Cooking with Cranberries: Recipes for the Holidays" graces the top, accompanied by a logo in the bottom right corner.

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