Ways to Use Leftover Cranberry Sauce

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September 14, 2025

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For many of us cranberry sauce only graces our dinner tables a few times a year. And once that jar or can is opened we often need to find ways to use leftover cranberry sauce.

Cranberry sauce fills a ceramic pitcher and sits on a table. Text overlay reads: ways to use leftover cranberry sauce.

Thankfully, there are so very many tasty and simple options for every single meal of the day.

Preserve for Later

Tried of cranberry sauce and simply don’t want to bake or use it in a different way at the moment? Preserve it for later with these simple methods:

Put the leftovers into a jar or other container and freeze. Thaw and use in recipes later.

Dehydrate cranberry sauce into a tasty, homemade fruit leather.

Use it as Topping

Even if we don’t have want or need to cook up something special, cranberry sauce has a multitude of very simple uses.

Spread it on top of pancakes or waffles.

Using it as a spread for leftover turkey sandwiches is, of course, a classic for a reason.

Pour it on top of ice cream or pound cake.

Mix some into yogurt with granola for a tasty snack.

Breakfast

Cranberry sauce adds a lot of flavor to muffins and scones but also pairs deliciously with savory breakfast sandwiches and more.

1
A towering sandwich with layers of turkey, bacon, melted cheese, cranberry sauce, and a runny egg between two golden, crispy buns. It's set on a wooden board with a blurred red mug and eggs in the background.
neighborfoodblog.com
Leftover Turkey, Bacon, and Egg Breakfast Sandwich
Combine your Thanksgiving leftovers into one tasty breakfast sandwich that is sure to fuel a long day.
Check out this recipe
2
A white plate holds seven cranberry muffins on a wooden surface. A red and white checkered cloth is on the left. There are scattered cranberries, walnuts, orange slices, and a small dish of jam on the right.
ketocookingchristian.com
Cranberry Sauce and Walnut Muffins
These muffins are keto friendly and gluten free so no one has to skip the leftover cranberry goodness.
Check out this recipe
3
A plate of muffins topped with dried berries is displayed. One muffin is sliced in half, revealing a fruit-filled interior. In the background, there is a small jar of jam, a bowl of berries, and a bottle of milk on a white surface.
kimspireddiy.com
Leftover Cranberry Sauce Muffins
If you're not worried about keto, try these more traditional muffins.
Check out this recipe
4
A close-up of a fork holding a piece of moist cake with layers of yellow cake and a red berry filling. The background shows a larger piece of the cake on a white plate, drizzled with glaze. Berry fruits are visible beside the cake.
whoneedsacape.com
White Chocolate Cranberry Coffee Cake
Use this sweet treat as an ideal brunch dish perfect for holidays and lazy weekends.
Check out this recipe
5
A whole wheat scone filled with cranberry sauce on a white plate, with more scones and cranberry sauce in a bowl in the background. The text above reads "whole wheat Cranberry Sauce scones.
familyspice.com
Leftover Cranberry Sauce Scones
These scones use hearty whole wheat for a filling breakfast pastry to keep you full on busy mornings.
Check out this recipe
6
A tray of freshly baked cinnamon rolls with icing, arranged in a circle on parchment paper. Surrounded by red cranberries and pine cones on a wooden surface, creating a festive atmosphere.
www.katiebirdbakes.com
Cranberry Sauce Breakfast Rolls
Light and airy full of cranberry tartness these rolls are sure to impress guest.
Check out this recipe

Lunch

While spreading leftover cranberry sauce on leftover cold turkey sandwiches is perfectly acceptable (and yummy) try these ideas for something different and perhaps even tastier.

7
A close-up of a stacked grilled cheese sandwich with melted cheese, walnuts, and a red jam-like spread, on rustic multigrain bread, against a blue background.
recipesfromapantry.com
Grilled cheese sandwich with orange and honey walnuts
Combine the tart cranberry sauce with creamy cheese for a delightful twist on the regular old grilled cheese.
Check out this recipe
8
A stack of grilled turkey and cranberry sandwiches on toasted bread sits on a wooden board. The sandwiches are cut in halves, revealing juicy turkey and vibrant cranberry sauce inside. A blurred gray background completes the scene.
www.happyfoodstube.com
Turkey Cranberry Panini – Happy Foods Tube
This panini combines sauteed onions with cranberry sauce, turkey and cheese for a hot, crunchy lunch.
Check out this recipe
9
A sandwich with mashed avocado, chickpeas, leafy greens, and cranberry sauce on whole grain bread, placed on parchment paper. A spoonful of cranberry sauce is beside the sandwich. Another sandwich is partially visible in the background.
www.yummymummykitchen.com
Vegan Smashed Chickpea and Avocado Salad Sandwich
Why not use that cranberry sauce on a vegan sandwich too?
Check out this recipe
10
Two sandwiches wrapped in brown paper are placed on a wooden board. They're filled with bacon and cheese. A small jar of cranberry sauce is beside them, surrounded by a few fresh cranberries. Logs are visible in the blurred background.
www.dontgobaconmyheart.co.uk
Cranberry Bacon Brie Grilled Cheese
Cranberry and brie is a classic combination, use it on bacon sandwiches for an elevated twist.
Check out this recipe

Dinner

Use that leftover cranberry sauce in savory main courses and side dishes alike.

11
A glass baking dish filled with freshly baked enchiladas, topped with melted cheese and garnished with chopped cilantro. The enchiladas have a rich, red sauce spread over them.
www.smells-like-home.com
Turkey Cranchiladas
This is a nice switch from the usual leftover turkey and cranberry dish and is a great frugal, filling meal.
Check out this recipe
12
A pulled pork sandwich with cranberry sauce on a white plate. The sandwich is on a bun with poppy seeds, and the plate sits on a red cloth. The background is a dark wooden surface.
www.majhofftakesawife.com
Cranberry BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Take a break from the turkey and use the cranberry with some pulled pork sandwiches.
Check out this recipe
13
A dish of chili cranberry fusion meatballs garnished with cilantro. The meatballs are glazed and served in a white bowl, with some herbs visible in the background.
www.simplystacie.net
Chili Cranberry Fusion Meatballs
Made in the crockpot for ease these meatballs would be amazing for dinner any night but also great for party appetizers.
Check out this recipe

Dessert

The sweet and tart combination of cranberry sauce lends itself well to all manner of desserts.

14
A white plate with three round, chocolate cookies, featuring visible chunks, rests on a wooden surface. A small, brown acorn-shaped object and a floral napkin are nearby.
Chocolate Cranberry Sauce Cookies
Chocolate cranberry sauce cookies are a delicious way to use leftover cranberry sauce in a handheld package perfect for packing in lunches and care packages.
Check out this recipe
15
A freshly baked cobbler in a square dish on a wooden surface. The dessert has a golden, crumbly topping with visible berry filling underneath. The dish features a decorative brown pattern on its sides. A floral-patterned cloth is partially visible.
homespunseasonalliving.com
Chocolate Cranberry Bars
Cranberry sauce and chocolate chips sandwiched between a flaky, biscuit like dough makes for a fluffy and delicious dessert perfect to have with coffee or tea.
Check out this recipe
16
A glass baking dish filled with apple cranberry crisp topped with a golden oat and brown sugar crumble. A spoon labeled "Scoop Me" rests beside it, with a peach and cranberries nearby. A yellow floral-patterned cloth is partially visible.
temeculablogs.com
Cranberry Apple Cobbler
Apples and cranberries are always a delightful combination and cobblers are quick and tasty.
Check out this recipe
17
A plate of rustic, crumbly bar cookies with swirls of red fruit topping sits on a striped red and white cloth. The bars have a textured, homemade appearance.
www.perrysplate.com
Paleo Orange Cranberry Bars
Keep the dessert full of cranberry goodness and in line with your paleo eating habits with these bars.
Check out this recipe
Cranberry sauce fills a white pitcher with a wood handle and sits on a table. Text overlay reads: ways to use leftover cranberry sauce.

Thanks for sharing!

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