Skip to content

Top Navigation

EatingWell EatingWell
  • Healthy Recipes
  • Special Diets
  • Diabetes
  • Healthy Meal Plans
  • Healthy Eating
  • Healthy Lifestyle
  • Healthy Cooking
  • Shop
  • News
  • Videos

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Favorites
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Cooking Light Diet
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore EatingWell

EatingWell EatingWell
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 30-Day Mediterranean Diet Challenge

      Try one of the world's healthiest ways of eating: the Mediterranean Diet. Read More Next
    • These Are the Best and Worst Diets of 2021

      We took a look at the latest rankings from U.S. News & World Report to see which diets ranked at the top and bottom of their lists. Read More Next
    • Simple 30-Day Weight-Loss Meal Plan: 1,200 Calories

      A full month of easy-to-make recipes and helpful meal-prep tips, this healthy meal plan sets you up for weight-loss success. Read More Next
  • Healthy Recipes

    Healthy Recipes

    See all Healthy Recipes
    • Healthy Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Healthy Lunch Recipes
    • Healthy Dinner Recipes
    • Healthy Snack Recipes
    • Healthy Dessert Recipes
    • Healthy Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Salad Recipes
    • Healthy Smoothie Recipes
    • Healthy Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Healthy Slow-Cooker & Crockpot Recipes
    • Healthy Kids Recipes
    • Healthy Holiday Recipes
    • Healthy Vegan Recipes
    • Healthy Vegetarian Recipes
    • Healthy Mediterranean Diet Recipes
    • Healthy Diabetes-Friendly Recipes
    • Healthy Low-Calorie Recipes
    • Healthy Weight Loss & Diet Recipes
    • More Lifestyle Diet Recipes
    • More Health Condition Recipes
    • More Dietary Restriction Recipes
    • More Nutrient Focused Recipes
  • Special Diets

    Special Diets

    See all Special Diets
    • Clean Eating Diet Center
    • Mediterranean Diet Center
    • Low-Carb Diet Center
    • Weight Loss Center
    • Dairy-Free Diet Center
    • Gluten-Free Diet Center
    • High-Fiber Diet Center
    • Vegan Diet Center
    • Vegetarian Diet Center
    • Heart-Healthy Diet Center
    • Cholesterol Diet Center
    • Diabetes Diet Center
    • High Blood Pressure Diet Center
    • Low Sodium Diet Center
    • Healthy Aging Diet Center
    • Pregnancy Diet Center
  • Diabetes

    Diabetes

    See all Diabetes
    • Meal Plans for Diabetes
    • Diabetes-Friendly Recipes
    • Diabetes Diet Center
  • Healthy Meal Plans

    Healthy Meal Plans

    See all Healthy Meal Plans
    • Meal Planning 101
    • Dinner Plans
    • Clean Eating Meal Plans
    • Mediterranean Diet Meal Plans
    • Low-Carb Meal Plans
    • Weight-Loss Meal Plans
    • Dairy-Free Meal Plans
    • Gluten-Free Meal Plans
    • High-Fiber Meal Plans
    • Vegan Meal Plans
    • Vegetarian Meal Plans
    • Heart-Healthy Meal Plans
    • Low Cholesterol Meal Plans
    • Meal Plans for Diabetes
    • Blood Pressure Meal Plans
    • Low Sodium Meal Plans
    • Anti-Aging Meal Plans
    • Pregnancy Meal Plans
    • Healthy Kids Meal Plans
    • ThePrep
  • Healthy Eating

    Healthy Eating

    See all Healthy Eating
    • Healthy Eating 101
    • Eat More Vegetables
    • 30-Day Challenges
    • Good Food Fast
    • Healthy Eating for Kids
    • Best Healthy Foods
    • Green and Sustainable Eating
    • The Beet
    • Transformed
  • Healthy Lifestyle

    Healthy Lifestyle

    See all Healthy Lifestyle
    • Wine, Beer & Spirits Guide
    • Entertaining
    • EatingWell in Real Life
    • Plant Your Plate
    • Healthy Pets
    • American Food Heroes
    • Future of Food
    • Food with Purpose
    • Obsessed
  • Healthy Cooking

    Healthy Cooking

    See all Healthy Cooking
    • Healthy Cooking How-To's
    • Ask the Test Kitchen
    • Budget Cooking Guide
    • Thrifty
    • Family Heritage Cooking
  • Shop

    Shop

    See all Shop
    • EatingWell Cookbooks & More
    • EatingWell Frozen Meals
  • News
  • Videos

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Favorites
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Cooking Light Diet
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow us

  1. Home Chevron Right
  2. Healthy Recipes Chevron Right
  3. Healthy Holiday & Occasion Recipes Chevron Right
  4. Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes Chevron Right
  5. Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes Chevron Right
  6. Thanksgiving Cranberry Sauce Recipes Chevron Right
  7. Best-Ever Cranberry Recipes for Thanksgiving

Best-Ever Cranberry Recipes for Thanksgiving

Updated September 15, 2020
Skip gallery slides
Pin

Whether you're looking for cranberry sauce or cranberry-studded salad, we've got all the cranberry recipes you need for your Thanksgiving table and beyond!

Start Slideshow

1 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cranberry Upside-Down Cake

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The basic recipe for this cake is very versatile and can be made with apples, pears, peaches or any full-flavored, slightly acidic fruit. The cake is best served warm. (Recipe adapted from The Art of Simple Food by Alice Waters.) 

1 of 28

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Mulled Apple-Cranberry Cider

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Orange zest and cinnamon infuse this warm apple-cranberry drink with lots of holiday flavor. 

2 of 28

3 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cranberry Galette with Sesame Frangipane

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Expand your holiday desserts repertoire with this cranberry galette. Frangipane is a sweet pastry cream typically made with ground almonds; here we substitute ground sesame seeds in the form of tahini to give it a complex, earthy flavor. If you've made the Cranberry-Almond Thumbprint Cookies (see Associated Recipes), you can use some of the leftover jam in Step 9.

3 of 28

Advertisement

4 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cranberry-Apple Crisp

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Instead of the traditional apple pie, we opted for a brown sugar-sweetened cranberry-apple crisp. Tangy cranberry sauce and tart Granny Smith apples are topped with a walnut topping in this simple crisp.

4 of 28

5 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cranberry Sauce with Star Anise

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This cranberry sauce recipe is scented with star anise, which has a dynamic flavor—earthy, spicy and sweet at the same time.

5 of 28

6 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Eggnog Pie with Cranberry Sauce

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This healthy custard pie recipe combines the flavors of gingerbread and eggnog into a festive holiday dessert. An easy cranberry sauce balances the sweetness of the pie with a touch of tartness. To lighten the load of holiday baking, each element can be prepared up to 5 days ahead.

6 of 28

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cranberry-Pecan Cinnamon Rolls

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This cranberry-pecan cinnamon roll recipe is a cinch to put together--there's no kneading and no rolling of any dough. These rolls are baked in a muffin tin and are already perfectly portioned, making them great for a morning treat or as part of a brunch menu.

  • Watch Video

7 of 28

8 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cranberry Buttermilk Pie

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This cranberry pie puts a sweet potato pie to shame. It's made with the custard filling of a buttermilk pie—it tastes like a panna cotta with a bit of attitude from the tang of the buttermilk and a generous sprinkling of cranberries on top. 

8 of 28

9 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cranberry, Cherry & Walnut Marmalade

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Fresh cranberries get crunch from walnuts and an infusion of sweetness from dried cherries in this take on a classic marmalade. Leftovers are great on a turkey sandwich.

9 of 28

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cranberry Coconut Trifle

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

No other dessert turns heads like a trifle. Festive in every way, this trifle recipe glows from within with scarlet layers of juicy cranberries to dazzle this holiday season. The filling is made from an astounding 6 cups of antioxidant-packed cranberries! We made the custard “skinny” with a combination of low-fat milk and light coconut milk. From-scratch brown-butter sponge cake, made with whole-wheat pastry flour, stands in for store-bought ladyfingers. You can use frozen cranberries if you can't find fresh fruit.

  • Watch Video

10 of 28

11 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cranberry-Red Wine Sauce

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Classic homemade cranberry sauce gets a powerful flavor punch from red wine. As the sauce reduces, the wine gets syrupy, adding robust flavor with a bit of sweetness. Want to take it up a notch? Use port for even more sweetness and flavor. 

11 of 28

12 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Apple-Cranberry Spinach Salad with Goat Cheese

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The tangy-sweet dressing in this spinach salad beautifully amplifies the apples and cranberries--and the creamy goat cheese transforms it into the perfect salad. Tasters raved about this easy fall salad. If you can't find Pink Lady apples, any sweet, crisp apple is a worthy substitute. Want to make this salad a main meal? Top with some rotisserie chicken, chickpeas or tofu.

12 of 28

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Jalapeno-Cranberry Relish

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Give some zing to your traditional cranberry sauce recipe by adding jalapeño and lime. This healthy, homemade cranberry relish pairs beautifully with turkey, but also works just as well as a spread for sandwiches or even as a taco topping.

13 of 28

14 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cranberry-Lime Cheesecake

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

One bite of this light and airy cranberry cheesecake recipe and it will become your go-to recipe for dessert—the lime adds an unexpected tartness to offset the sugared cranberries. Part-skim ricotta cheese adds a delicate texture and stands in for some of the higher-fat cream cheese. Be sure to use a large, wide piece of heavy-duty foil to wrap the pan--the foil helps prevent water from seeping into the cake as it bakes.

  • Watch Video

14 of 28

15 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Clementine, Date & Port Cranberry Relish

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Cranberry sauce has a role beyond tradition at the T-day meal. The tart berry adds excitement to mild turkey, but it also provides balance by cutting through the richness in other dishes. For this easy relish recipe—which comes together in minutes—the earthy sweetness of dates and cinnamon, plus a touch of citrus, complement the zing of the berries to create a familiar holiday flavor profile.

15 of 28

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cranberry Grand Marnier Sparkler

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This colorful cocktail gives a new way to use Grand Marnier liqueur that makes a festive option for holiday toasts and special occasions. Frozen cranberries make a playful garnish and also do double duty by keeping drinks cold throughout your holiday party. 

16 of 28

17 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cranberry Relish

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Take a detour from traditional cranberry sauce and try this recipe that combines fresh cranberries with sweet dates, sage and orange for a side dish your guests will remember. You can make this no-cook cranberry relish in less than a minute in the food processor. It's a divine accompaniment to roast turkey and perfect on a turkey sandwich as well.

17 of 28

18 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cranberry-Almond Thumbprint Cookies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A dip in egg white and a quick roll in sugar adds a delightfully crisp crust to these holiday cookies. You'll have leftover jam--perfect for spreading on toast or for glazing the Cranberry Galette with Sesame Frangipane (see Associated Recipes). 

18 of 28

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Roasted Salmon with Spicy Cranberry Relish

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This ruby-red cranberry relish recipe gets refreshing crunch from apple and celery. It's also delightful alongside a roast chicken or pork loin. 

19 of 28

20 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Apple Spice Cake with Cranberry-Mandarin Compote

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Apple butter and applesauce make this spice cake exceptionally moist and tender. The bright berry compote, orange juice and billowy whipped cream provide perfect counterpoints.

20 of 28

21 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cranberry Bundt Cake

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In this healthy cranberry-walnut Bundt cake recipe, Greek yogurt and shredded apple or pear keep the cake moist and are a healthy substitute for extra butter. If you want to use something other than allspice, try pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon in the filling. For a nut-free variation, omit the walnuts in the cake or use chopped dried cranberries in their place.

21 of 28

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Winter Squash Muffins with Cranberries

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Grated winter squash, such as butternut or acorn, adds a bit of sweetness and keeps these tender muffins moist in this easy recipe. Shredded zucchini is a good substitute in summertime.

22 of 28

23 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cranberry Pancakes

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Start your day off right with these easy pancakes, packed with cranberry's sour spike. One of you can make the coffee and heat the maple syrup while the other makes the pancakes. It's instant relationship bliss.

23 of 28

24 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cranberry-Coconut Bread Pudding

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In this healthy bread pudding recipe, whole-wheat bread, fresh cranberries, candied ginger and toasted coconut come together for a memorable dessert. To make individual bread puddings instead of one large pan, divide the batter among 12 small oiled individual baking dishes (about 8 ounces each). Cover with foil. Bake for 30 minutes, uncover, sprinkle with coconut and bake for 20 to 25 minutes more.

24 of 28

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cranberry-Rosemary Stuffed Pork Loin

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This cranberry-rosemary stuffed pork tenderloin recipe looks gorgeous with the cranberry- and rosemary-flecked stuffing bursting from the juicy browned pork loin. Don't be scared by the task of double butterflying a pork loin--the process is fairly simple.

25 of 28

26 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

No-Sugar-Added Cranberry Sauce

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Most cranberry sauce recipes add tons of sugar to mask the tart taste of the cranberries. In this simple cranberry sauce, we lighten things up by skipping the sugar and opting for a healthier combination of dates and apple cider which adds just enough sweetness without overpowering the cranberry flavor.

26 of 28

27 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cranberry-Orange Fruit Bars

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These sweet-tart cranberry-orange bars are a great addition to a holiday cookie tray or cool weather grab-and-go treat.

27 of 28

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cranberry-Citrus Meatballs

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Mix chopped dried cranberries together with your meatball mixture to add a hit of sweetness in every bite. These meatballs start in the skillet but finish in the slow-cooker, making them an easy make-ahead appetizer.

28 of 28

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 28 Cranberry Upside-Down Cake
2 of 28 Mulled Apple-Cranberry Cider
3 of 28 Cranberry Galette with Sesame Frangipane
4 of 28 Cranberry-Apple Crisp
5 of 28 Cranberry Sauce with Star Anise
6 of 28 Eggnog Pie with Cranberry Sauce
7 of 28 Cranberry-Pecan Cinnamon Rolls
8 of 28 Cranberry Buttermilk Pie
9 of 28 Cranberry, Cherry & Walnut Marmalade
10 of 28 Cranberry Coconut Trifle
11 of 28 Cranberry-Red Wine Sauce
12 of 28 Apple-Cranberry Spinach Salad with Goat Cheese
13 of 28 Jalapeno-Cranberry Relish
14 of 28 Cranberry-Lime Cheesecake
15 of 28 Clementine, Date & Port Cranberry Relish
16 of 28 Cranberry Grand Marnier Sparkler
17 of 28 Cranberry Relish
18 of 28 Cranberry-Almond Thumbprint Cookies
19 of 28 Roasted Salmon with Spicy Cranberry Relish
20 of 28 Apple Spice Cake with Cranberry-Mandarin Compote
21 of 28 Cranberry Bundt Cake
22 of 28 Winter Squash Muffins with Cranberries
23 of 28 Cranberry Pancakes
24 of 28 Cranberry-Coconut Bread Pudding
25 of 28 Cranberry-Rosemary Stuffed Pork Loin
26 of 28 No-Sugar-Added Cranberry Sauce
27 of 28 Cranberry-Orange Fruit Bars
28 of 28 Cranberry-Citrus Meatballs

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message
EatingWell

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • About Us
  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Content Licensing
  • Recipe Index
  • Jobs

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletters
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
© 2021 EatingWell.com is part of the Allrecipes Food Group. EatingWell may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. All Right Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from http://www.eatingwell.com

View image

Best-Ever Cranberry Recipes for Thanksgiving
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.