7 Thanksgiving Cranberry Recipes (2024)

Thanksgiving is coming up fast. Forget the turkey, what I get excited for on Thanksgiving Day are all those sweet and savory side dishes. The one that never failed appear on our creaking table boards was cranberry relish. Zesty, tangy, and with a chilly sweet after flavor. It’s cranberries at their finest! I realized, however, that my knowledge of cranberry recipes was limited. I was sure there were more ways to use such a sassy berry. So I went hunting. While cranberry relish is great, it can become a bit old hat. I think it’s time to spice up our use of cranberry at our Thanksgiving meal and to my delight, I came across some wonderful Thanksgiving cranberry recipes! So without further ado, I present to you some delicious ways to switch up your use of cranberries this holidaywith these tasty Cranberry Dish ideas.

7 Thanksgiving Cranberry Recipes (1)

Cranberry Recipes For Thanksgiving That You Will Love!

Cranberries have a unique combination of sweetness and tartness. This balance of flavors adds depth to dishes, making them more interesting to the taste buds. The natural tartness can complement and enhance other flavors in a recipe. Additionally, cranberries can be used in a variety of dishes, both sweet and savory. From sauces and relishes to desserts and salads, cranberries can be incorporated into many different types of recipes. This versatility allows for a wide range of flavor profiles and culinary creations.

Bonus? Cranberries are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, among other nutrients. People often appreciate recipes that not only taste good but also offer potential health benefits. Knowing that a dish contains ingredients with nutritional value can make it more appealing. Furthermore, cranberry recipes are often associated with holidays, particularly Thanksgiving and Christmas. The familiarity and tradition of enjoying cranberry-based dishes during these festive times can contribute to the perception that cranberry recipes are exceptionally good.

1. Cranberry Salsa Recipe

Of course! Such a zesty sauce would make an excellent salsa. Smear it on bread, crackers, or chips and you’ve got a hip new holiday side! Visit Eat Yourself Skinny for the full recipe.

2. Avocado Cranberry Dip Recipe

The vibrant red color of cranberries adds visual appeal to dishes. A visually appealing plate can enhance the overall dining experience, and cranberries contribute a pop of color that makes them stand out. This avocado cranberry dip is another great way to detour from the same ol’, sugary side. This avocado cranberry salsa recipe is best served on chips! Get the full recipe at The Diva Dish.

3. Orange Quinoa Cranberry Salad Recipe

If you want to stray far away from the traditional relish, try out this Cranberry Orange Quinoa Salad. It keeps the flavors of Thanksgiving alive in a super healthy way! Get the full recipe at Family Spice.

4. Cranberry-Raspberry Relish Recipe

A little closer to the traditional Thanksgiving cranberry recipes is this Cranberry-Raspberry Relish. Doesn’t it sound delicious? Definitely worth a shot if the idea of your old relish doesn’t get you excited! Get the full recipe at The Urban Baker.

5. Spiced Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Football’s not the only thing kickin’. This cranberry sauce has a kick as well, and a secret. Not only does it bring a new flavor to the table, it doesn’t use any refined sweeteners! One dish less on the menu you have to worry about regretting during the post-meal activities. Get the full recipe at Detoxinista.

6. Butternut Cranberry Bake Recipe

If you want to get a little wild with your use of cranberries this holiday, try out this Butternut Cranberry Bake. Besides its bizarrely awesome combination, it boasts a clean-eating recipe! Get the recipe at The Gracious Pantry.

7. Cranberry Fluff Recipe

Maybe your family got a little tired and nixed the cranberry dish from the menu. Get them back on board with cranberries with this sweet Cranberry Fluff! Get the recipe at Yummy Healthy Easy.

Conclusion

cranberry recipes are appreciated for their unique flavor profile, versatility, texture, potential health benefits, holiday association, contrasting pairings, and colorful appearance. These factors collectively contribute to the popularity and enjoyment of cranberry-based dishes. I hope these Thanksgiving cranberry recipes give you a few new ideas for this Thanksgiving meal! Wow your family with these new twists on the traditional! What is your favorite cranberry recipe? Do you think you will give one of these cranberry dish alternatives a try?

Related Posts:

Tips For Hosting Your First Thanksgiving

How Kids Can Help With The Thanksgiving Meal

Carrot Souffle Recipe

7 Thanksgiving Cranberry Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Is it true that about 8 million cranberries are served during Thanksgiving week? ›

400 million pounds of cranberries are consumed by Americans each year. Twenty percent of that is during the week of Thanksgiving. That's 80 million pounds! 5,062,500 gallons of jellied cranberry sauce are consumed by Americans every holiday season.

What is the cranberry thing on Thanksgiving? ›

Cranberry sauce is a classic Thanksgiving side dish, but there's more than one way to spotlight those tart little orbs (or cans if that's the way you go) and these recipes for fresh, frozen, and canned cranberries prove it.

How many bags of cranberries for 10 people? ›

One 12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries yields about 2 1/4 cups of cranberry sauce, which should be enough for about 8 to 10 people, Hartigan says, adding that you can half that amount of cranberries when making a cranberry-apple or -orange sauce since the alternative fruit will bulk up each serving.

How many cans of cranberry sauce are sold for Thanksgiving? ›

This process has been in use since the early 2000s. Adweek, which recently reported this important can caveat, noted that about 67 million cans are sold between Thanksgiving and Christmas. But like other Thanksgiving meal staples, canned cranberry sauce might be hard to come by.

What was the great cranberry scandal? ›

The Food and Drug Administration today urged that no further sales be made of cranberries and cranberry products produced in Washington and Oregon in 1958 and 1959 because of their possible contamination by a chemical weed killer, aminotriazole, which causes cancer in the thyroids of rats when it is contained in their ...

What are 5 true facts about Thanksgiving? ›

Thanksgiving history facts
  • Thanksgiving dates back to 1621. ...
  • The first Thanksgiving feast was three days long. ...
  • Thanksgiving became a holiday in 1863. ...
  • For Native Americans, it's a day of quiet reflection and prayer. ...
  • 293.3 million people will eat turkey this Thanksgiving. ...
  • Thanksgiving football was initially a college tradition.
Nov 23, 2023

Is cranberry sauce served hot or cold on Thanksgiving? ›

Is cranberry sauce supposed to be hot or cold? Either! Some prefer to have it served fresh and warm, straight out of the pot, while others need it completely cooled down to enjoy the flavours. Personally, we prefer cooled sauce.

What do people do with cranberry sauce on Thanksgiving? ›

As John Burgess explained, it is most often a relish on the Thanksgiving plate to enhance the turkey and side dishes. But later that night and for several days after, cranberry sauce is often spread onto bread in the construction of the real Thanksgiving treat- the leftover turkey sandwich.

What did pilgrims call cranberry? ›

The Pilgrims gave this fruit the name "crane berry" because its pink blossom reminded them of the head of a crane, a large wading bird. Over the years its name has been shortened to cranberry.

Can you use Craisins instead of cranberries? ›

Yes, Craisins® Sweetened Dried Cranberries work well in baked goods; however, there is a 1/4 cup (60 mL) difference in measurement. If a recipe calls for one cup of fresh cranberries you should use 3/4 cup (175 mL) of Craisins®.

Should I thaw frozen cranberries before baking? ›

To prepare cranberries for cooking, sort the berries to remove any soft berries and stems. Rinse in cold water and drain well. It is not necessary to thaw frozen berries before use.

Do you have to thaw frozen cranberries before cooking? ›

If you are using frozen cranberries, there is no need to defrost before cooking.

What can I use instead of cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving? ›

14 Homemade Condiments to Serve With Turkey—That Aren't Cranberry Sauce
  • 01 of 14. Gingered Golden Fruit Chutney. ...
  • 02 of 14. Tangerine and Lemon Marmalade. ...
  • 03 of 14. Quince Butter. ...
  • 04 of 14. Plum Ginger Relish. ...
  • 05 of 14. Quince Jelly With Star Anise. ...
  • 06 of 14. Warm Plum Sauce. ...
  • 07 of 14. Quick Pear Chutney. ...
  • 08 of 14. Bacon Jam.
Oct 24, 2023

How long do Thanksgiving cranberries last? ›

If stored correctly, fresh cranberries will last in the refrigerator for three to four weeks. If you opted to freeze them, they'll keep well for up to a year.

What state eats the most turkey on Thanksgiving? ›

Of all the states, residents of California consume the most turkey per person, but California is not one of the five. Missouri is. It's number five. The top turkey producing state is Minnesota, followed by North Carolina, Arkansas and Virginia.

How many cranberries are served during Thanksgiving? ›

That first statement that 50% of all cranberries are eaten at Thanksgiving time is false. Americans eat more than 400 million pounds of cranberries every year, and 20 percent, not 50%, is consumed during the week of Thanksgiving. But that's still 80 million pounds. Is the cranberry native to North America?

How many cranberries are eaten during Thanksgiving? ›

(For the record, KRC Research reports 80 million pounds of cranberries are eaten during Thanksgiving week.)

How many cranberries are consumed on Thanksgiving? ›

Americans Consume Around 80 Million Cranberries During Thanksgiving Week.

What percentage of cranberries are consumed on Thanksgiving? ›

It is a perennial crop grown commercially in man-made wetlands or bogs in primarily five states in the U.S. Americans consume nearly 400 million pounds of cranberries per year, 20 percent of them during Thanksgiving week.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Saturnina Altenwerth DVM

Last Updated:

Views: 5861

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (64 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Saturnina Altenwerth DVM

Birthday: 1992-08-21

Address: Apt. 237 662 Haag Mills, East Verenaport, MO 57071-5493

Phone: +331850833384

Job: District Real-Estate Architect

Hobby: Skateboarding, Taxidermy, Air sports, Painting, Knife making, Letterboxing, Inline skating

Introduction: My name is Saturnina Altenwerth DVM, I am a witty, perfect, combative, beautiful, determined, fancy, determined person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.