Learn how to use leftover cranberry in a variety of everyday ways (like as jam on toast) and in a whole bunch of delicious recipes.
I bet so many of us have a bowl of plastic-wrap-covered cranberry sauce in the fridge right around now and we’re googling to find out what we can do with it.
We tend to think of Cranberry Sauce as a condiment for turkey and not much else. But actually, with its sweet and tart taste, cranberry sauce can be used in a variety of recipes.
I’m going to share some basic uses for cranberry sauce below. In addition, I have a bunch of recipes to point you to that use cranberry sauce. See, since originally posting about leftover cranberry sauce I got a bit obsessed and started using it in all kinds of things. The list of recipes I’ve made with cranberry sauce is now part of this post too and you’ll find it below with pictures and links. Enjoy!
Here’s A Video With Six Simple Uses For Cranberry Sauce (Plus, More Below…)
1) Pretend it’s jam and spread it on toast. Cranberry sauce will keep in the fridge for up to 3 weeks. Store it in a jam jar in the fridge and then pull it out in the mornings to add a festive feel to your toast. It tastes amazing with peanut butter or with cream cheese or on its own.
2) Flavor plain yogurt with cranberry sauce. Simply add cranberry sauce a tablespoon or so at a time to your plain yogurt until you get the intensity of flavor that you’d like.
3) Use it as a warm sauce for sweets. When cranberry sauce is warmed up it’s not as thick as when cold. It then makes a festive and fun sauce for ice cream and cakes.
4) Use it to make pink and pretty whipped cream. Cranberry sauce is a delicious addition to whipped cream. Whip the cream as normal until it forms stiff peaks. Fold some of the whipped cream into the cranberry sauce. Fold in the remaining whipped cream. Use the cranberry whipped cream to top fruitcake and other holiday desserts or use it on hot chocolate.
5) Use it as a glaze for poultry and meats. We know that cranberry sauce goes with turkey. But it also goes with chicken, pork and beef. Try baking chicken breasts or pork chops and then brush with cranberry sauce 5 minutes before they’re done, longer for a more caramelized exterior. You can also use cranberry sauce as a glaze for meatloaf (think turkey meatloaf with cranberry sauce glaze).
6) Add leftover cranberry sauce to homemade or bottled barbecue sauce. (This is my favorite use for leftover cranberry sauce.) Use it wherever you normally use barbecue sauce to instantly add an autumnal twist to your summer favorites.
7) Mix with mayonnaise. Then you have a festive condiment to go on your leftover turkey sandwich!
8) Freeze in ice cube molds. Have cranberry ice cubes in your seltzer or freeze in a ring mold and add to your holiday punch.
9) Serve with pancakes or waffles. Day after Thanksgiving brunch? Put a spoonful on your pancakes or waffles in the morning.
Recipes That Use Leftover Cranberry Sauce
Snacks and Treats
How about cranberry with your breakfast? Or, the cranberry meatballs make a great party appetizer.
Entrees and Sides
Bring cranberries to the dinner table in a new way. Turning it into a variety of glazes and sauces open up so many delicious opportunities.
Drinks
Finally, try some cranberries in your beverage with these amazing ideas.
There are also some really fantastic ideas in the comment section below. Thank you to everyone who has already added their recipe or tip and thank you to advance to anyone else who adds something. I love that the comment section becomes an ongoing growing resource for people who visit this site. You guys are the best!
Oh, and on the off chance that you’ve been reading this and you actually don’t have cranberry sauce in your fridge, here’s my recipe for homemade cranberry orange sauce.
Listen to learn how to make this recipe, along with some great tips from Christine:
Listen to more Recipe of the Day episodes here.
It’s ridiculously easy to make and tastes so good. You’ll definitely be wanting to use the leftovers in as many of the above ways as possible.
Christine :-)
This post originally appeared in November 2013 and was revised and republished in October 2021.
Pat says
HI, I am getting error messages on your fantastic CRANBERRY-BASIL BAKED BRIE. Made it a couple of times last Christmas and would love to make it again! Sooo delicious and festive
Christine Pittman says
Sorry about that, Pat. Here’s the instructions.
3/4 cup whole berry cranberry sauce (canned or homemade)
1 Tbsp roughly chopped fresh basil, plus some whole leaves for garnish
1 tsp. Concord Foods reconstituted lemon juice
7 oz wheel of brie
1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
2. In a small bowl combine the cranberry sauce, basil and lemon juice.
3. Put the brie on a baking sheet. Top with the cranberry mixture. Bake until the sides of the brie are starting to bulge outwards (this is the creamy cheese inside the rind aching to ooze out), about 20-25 minutes. Top with a few whole basil leaves as garnish. Serve on the baking sheet warning your guests that it will be hot.
Cheryl says
We never have leftovers, but these are great ideas.
Christine Pittman says
I made extra this year, just so I could use it for other things!
Jennifer Phillips says
oooo the smoothie looks so tasty
Christine Pittman says
Thanks, Jennifer!
Angelica says
Love these ideas! Especially the bars, the muffins, and the smoothie. I normally end up slogging through the leftover cranberry sauce by myself because no one else likes it very much. I’m sure everyone would go bananas for any of these reuses!
Christine Pittman says
Thanks, Angelica! It’s fun to get creative with the leftovers!
Debbie Yoder says
I like the idea of using the leftover cranberry sauce on toast!
Christine Pittman says
Thanks, Debbie!
Deborah Waddell says
The ideas are very interesting especially the one with brie.
Christine Pittman says
It’s such a good flavour combination, Deborah. Thanks!
Dolores Miller says
I am going to try to make cranberry/jalapeno jelly with my leftover cranberry sauce. I made it fresh not canned so not sure if it will turn out.
Christine Pittman says
Interesting, Dolores! Let us know how it works out!
Amanda B. says
Great ideas…I love Thanksgiving leftovers!
Christine Pittman says
Thanks, Amanda!
Rebecca Orr says
I literally just eat the cranberry sauce straight from the dish when we have left overs! I never considered putting it in something. And now I am questioning myself why I never thought of it before. I am definitely going to have to try my hand at the cranberry meatballs because they looks juicy and tender! I bet the glaze is sweet but not overpowering.
Christine Pittman says
There’s so many good uses for it, Rebecca but I don’t blame you for just eating it plain! Sometimes I’ll put a spoonful or two on top of vanilla frozen yogurt!
jackie says
I just love anything with cranberries and ginger.
Christine Pittman says
Yummy! Thanks, Jackie.
BonJon says
Can you tell us what Palmieri is? When I googled it, it just came up as people’s last name. (I was thinking it might be another spelling for palmier.)
Christine Pittman says
I’m betting they meant palmier as well.
Debbie Neville says
It’s great in Palmieri with puff pastry and goat cheese. I’ve even mixed in spinach and it’s great. With spinach I like to add nutmeg. Usually mix in pinch of chili flakes or jalapeño minced to give it a kick.
I’m going to try the smoothie idea.
Happy Holidays!
Christine Pittman says
Debbie, I love the palmieri idea. And yes, I think cranberry sauce and goat cheese sound amazing together. Trying that soon. Happy Holidays to you as well!
Diane Strong says
I am going to heat it and make cranberry old fashions.
Christine Pittman says
Diane, Great idea!
Sandra Trotta says
Super easy Pour 2 cups whole cranberry sauce or a can prepared in 8″ or 9″ round baking pan. add pre cooked sausage links in a spiked design so each slice will have a sausage link. Prepare a box of Jiffy cornbread mix and pour over. Bake as directed on box. When finished turn upside down and serve. I make my own cornbread. But this is easier. Great for Christmas brunch. Everyone loves it.
Christine Pittman says
Sandra, This sounds really interesting and delicious. Thanks for the great idea!
Denise says
I’m going to use my leftovers on my waffles!!
Christine Pittman says
Denise, Such a great idea. I love it!!
Ellen lindgren says
It’s great on crostini or crackers with goat cheese.
Christine Pittman says
Ellen, That sounds delicious!!
Natalie says
Thanks for the ideas :)
Christine Pittman says
You’re welcome!
Kate says
I just loved the whip cream idea. I am surely going to click a selfie with my new cranberry whip cream mustache and post it in my Instagram….how’s that?
o sollo says
cranberry sauce made with fresh cranberries is a delicious flavor for cheese cake. (better than strawberry or cherry cheese cake).
Madeleine Baier says
I got adventurous a while back, decided to use some of my cranberry relish as a simmer sauce for chicken and it turned out surprisingly well!
Christine Pittman says
Madeleine, Isn’t it amazing how versatile cranberry sauce is? I think it’s because it’s got both sweet and tang. It then can go into both sweet and savory things and be delicious in them all.