15 Festive Cranberry Recipes For Your Next Party

Cranberries add color, flavor, and just the right amount of tang to both sweet and savory dishes. These recipes show how versatile they can be, from creamy dips and vibrant sauces to baked goods and bite-sized snacks. Each one brings something a little festive to the table without being fussy. Whether you’re hosting or bringing a dish to share, these cranberry picks are easy crowd-pleasers.

Cranberry Orange Graham Loaf

A loaf of baked bread with visible berries and chocolate chips on a cooling rack. — Cranberry Orange Graham Loaf. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

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This moist loaf blends tart cranberries, citrus zest, and crushed graham crackers for a unique texture. It’s lightly sweet with a dense, soft crumb. Serve slices warm with butter or wrap it up as a gift. The orange brings brightness to each bite.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Graham Loaf

Leftover Turkey Hand Pies with Cranberry and Boursin

A plate with a sliced puff pastry turnover filled with turkey and cranberry sauce, served with a side of cranberry sauce and parsley garnish. — Leftover Turkey Hand Pies with Cranberry and Boursin. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Flaky pastry holds a filling of chopped turkey, creamy cheese, and cranberry sauce. Baked until golden, they’re a quick fix for holiday leftovers. These hand pies are easy to eat and easy to share. They also freeze well if you want to prep ahead.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Turkey Hand Pies with Cranberry and Boursin

Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce Recipe

A white ramekin filled with cranberry sauce sits on a light surface, with a spoonful of sauce and a few whole cranberries nearby. — Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce Recipe. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Toss fresh cranberries, sugar, and juice into the slow cooker and walk away. After a few hours, you get a thick, flavorful sauce without stovetop hassle. It’s hands-off and perfect for busy holiday kitchens. You can serve it warm or chilled.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Cranberry Pumpkin Bread

Sliced loaf of golden-brown bread with visible pieces of berries, arranged on a white surface. — Cranberry Pumpkin Bread . Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

Pumpkin and cranberry come together in a spiced loaf that’s soft, moist, and full of fall flavor. The cranberries add just the right amount of tart contrast. Great with coffee or packed into lunchboxes. This one keeps well for a few days.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Pumpkin Bread

Cranberry Ambrosia Salad

A white bowl of cranberry fluff salad topped with mini marshmallows, pecans, and cranberries on a marble surface, with a spoon and a plaid cloth nearby. — Cranberry Ambrosia Salad. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget .

This creamy fruit salad has a tangy cranberry twist, balancing out the sweetness of pineapple, oranges, and marshmallows. It’s fluffy, light, and bright pink on the plate. Serve chilled in a big bowl or small cups. A nostalgic dish with a little update.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Ambrosia Salad

Fresh Cranberry Sauce with Orange Zest and Pineapple

A white bowl filled with chunky cranberry sauce, garnished with small pieces of orange zest, sits on a white surface. — Fresh Cranberry Sauce with Orange Zest and Pineapple. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

This cooked sauce blends cranberries, pineapple chunks, and orange zest for a balance of tart and sweet. It thickens into a glossy, spoonable side. Use it with turkey or as a topping for desserts. It also works well spread on sandwiches.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Cranberry Sauce with Orange Zest and Pineapple

Cranberry Powder Recipe

A close-up of bright red powder in a wooden bowl, with more powder visible blurred in the background. — xr:d:DAFbZunPAsE:113,j:1674624216166835118,t:23120218

Dry your cranberries and blend them into a fine powder to use in smoothies, baking, or sauces. It adds a punch of tart flavor and natural color. Store in a jar for whenever you need a little boost. Great for stretching out a leftover bag.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Powder Recipe

Cranberry Orange Relish

A close-up of a white bowl filled with cranberry relish, showing a white spoon and a mix of finely chopped cranberries and orange. — Cranberry Orange Relish. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

This no-cook mix of chopped cranberries, orange segments, and sugar has a sharp, fresh flavor. It’s chunky and crisp with a zesty bite. Serve it as a side or spoon it over meats and sandwiches. Let it chill to bring out the best texture.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Relish

Unsweetened Homemade Cranberry Juice Recipe

A glass of red liquid with a sprig of rosemary on top. — xr:d:DAFbZunPAsE:112,j:1533886594021660661,t:23120110

Simmer cranberries in water and strain for a bold, tart juice with no added sugar. You can drink it as-is or use it in mocktails, cocktails, or sauces. It’s strong and fresh, perfect for mixing. Store chilled and sweeten to taste if needed.
Get the Recipe: Unsweetened Homemade Cranberry Juice Recipe

Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken

A plate of glazed chicken breasts with cranberries, served over mashed potatoes with green beans on the side. — Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken . Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

Chicken cooks in a cranberry-based sauce that’s tangy, slightly sweet, and full of flavor. It’s a great set-it-and-forget-it main dish. Serve it over rice, stuffing, or mashed potatoes. The slow cooker keeps the meat tender and the flavors deep.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken

Cranberry Cheeseball

Cheese ball coated with dried cranberries and nuts, surrounded by square crackers on a white plate. — Cranberry Cheeseball. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget .

Cranberries and herbs are mixed into cream cheese, then shaped into a ball and rolled in nuts. It’s tangy, creamy, and just a little sweet. Serve with crackers at any gathering. It keeps well in the fridge, too.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Cheeseball

Almond, cranberry and sweet potato stuffing casserole

A dish of granola with cranberries and sprigs of rosemary. — Almond, cranberry and sweet potato stuffing casserole. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

This casserole brings sweet potatoes, tart cranberries, and toasted almonds together with seasoned bread cubes. It’s baked until crisp on top and soft underneath. A hearty side that stands out on holiday tables. Works well as a vegetarian main too.
Get the Recipe: Almond, cranberry and sweet potato stuffing casserole

Cranberry Chicken Salad

Chopped chicken is tossed with dried cranberries, celery, and a creamy dressing. It’s sweet, savory, and has a nice crunch. Serve it in sandwiches, wraps, or lettuce cups. A smart way to use up leftovers and pack lunch at the same time.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Chicken Salad

Dehydrated Cranberries

Three containers filled with fresh cranberries, dried cranberries, and sugared dried cranberries on a dark fabric background. — xr:d:DAFbZunPAsE:108,j:8766667269541487753,t:23112807

These chewy bites are easy to make and perfect for adding to granola, salads, or baked goods. You can dry them plain or soak in juice first for added sweetness. Store in jars or bags for later. A good project when you’ve got extra berries.
Get the Recipe: Dehydrated Cranberries

Jalapeño Cranberry Dip

A hand holds a round cracker topped with a creamy white spread mixed with chopped cranberries and herbs, near a bowl of the same mixture. — Jalapeño Cranberry Dip. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chopped cranberries and jalapeños mix with cream cheese for a dip that’s equal parts sweet, spicy, and smooth. Serve it chilled with chips or crackers. It’s bold but still balanced. A standout choice for holiday snacking.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Cranberry Dip