24 Holiday Recipes That Make the Most of Cranberries

Cranberries are a staple of holiday cooking, adding a festive color and a tart pop that pairs beautifully with rich, comforting flavors. From glazed meats and cheesy starters to vibrant salads and bold sauces, these recipes show how cranberries can elevate your holiday spread. They offer brightness where it’s needed and contrast that cuts through heavier dishes. Whether you’re planning a full holiday dinner or just need a standout side, these dishes have the season written all over them.

Cranberry Cheeseball

A round cheese ball coated in chopped nuts and dried cranberries is surrounded by rectangular crackers on a white plate. — Cranberry Cheeseball. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget .

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This cheeseball blends creamy cheese with cranberries and herbs for a rich and tangy bite. It’s rolled in nuts or more cranberries for texture and color. Serve with crackers for an easy appetizer. The contrast between tart fruit and savory cheese is the key to its appeal.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Cheeseball

5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce

A metal bowl filled with cranberry sauce, garnished with orange zest and two cinnamon sticks, placed on a burlap cloth. — 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

With just five ingredients, this sauce simmers low and slow into a thick, flavorful spread. It balances sweet and tart with just enough citrus. The texture is chunky and rustic, ideal for spooning over meat or stuffing. This is a simple way to make a classic dish ahead of time.
Get the Recipe: 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce

Almond, cranberry and sweet potato stuffing casserole

A glass baking dish filled with baked oat and sweet potato crumble, garnished with rosemary, beside a small bowl of cranberries and scattered oats. — Almond, cranberry and sweet potato stuffing casserole. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Sweet potatoes and cranberries mix with crusty bread and slivered almonds in this hearty bake. The sweet and savory elements work well together. It bakes until the top is golden and the inside is soft. This dish makes a great side for roasted meats.
Get the Recipe: Almond, cranberry and sweet potato stuffing casserole

Apple Cranberry Salad

A salad with sliced apples, walnuts, dried cranberries, lettuce, and onion slices in a white bowl. — Apple Cranberry Salad. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This fresh salad mixes crisp apple slices with tart cranberries and leafy greens. A simple vinaigrette ties it all together. It’s light and refreshing with just enough sweetness. Serve it as a starter or alongside heavier mains.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cranberry Salad

Bourbon Cranberry Sauce

A bowl of cranberry sauce garnished with orange zest, with a spoon inside. Fresh cranberries and an orange half are on the side. — Bourbon Cranberry Sauce. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This sauce is simmered with a splash of bourbon for depth and richness. The cranberries break down into a thick jam-like texture. It has a subtle boozy note that pairs well with turkey or pork. This is a grown-up version of a holiday staple.
Get the Recipe: Bourbon Cranberry Sauce

Brie Cranberry Bites Appetizer

These bite-sized appetizers feature melty brie and tart cranberry sauce in flaky pastry. They bake up golden and gooey. Each one is a little sweet, a little savory. Great for parties or snack trays.
Get the Recipe: Brie Cranberry Bites Appetizer

Cranberry and Cream Cheese Dip

A skillet of baked cheese topped with cranberries and rosemary, surrounded by slices of bread on a wooden board. — Cranberry and Cream Cheese Dip. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

This layered dip pairs tart cranberry sauce with a creamy cheese base. Served chilled, it’s a striking blend of flavors and textures. It’s great with crackers or sliced vegetables. The cranberry topping adds both color and tang.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry and Cream Cheese Dip

Cranberry Balsamic Roast Beef

A pot roast in a black Dutch oven with brown gravy, carrots, cranberries, and a sprig of rosemary, set on a white surface with utensils and condiments nearby. — Cranberry Balsamic Roast Beef. Photo credit: Xoxo Bella .

This roast beef is slow-cooked with balsamic vinegar and cranberries. The cranberries add brightness to the rich meat. The sauce thickens into a glaze as it cooks. Serve sliced with the sauce spooned over top.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Balsamic Roast Beef

Cranberry Brie Bites

Mini puff pastry tarts filled with chopped nuts and jam, garnished with fresh rosemary sprigs, arranged on a white plate. — Cranberry Brie Bites. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Mini pastry shells are filled with soft brie and cranberry sauce. They’re warm, creamy, and just the right size for a small plate. Each one is finished with a touch of herbs. They’re quick to bake and even quicker to disappear.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Brie Bites

Cranberry Cheddar Sausage Balls

Savory sausage is blended with sharp cheddar and bursts of cranberry. These bake into tender, cheesy bites. They’re great served warm for parties or gatherings. The cranberries add just enough contrast to cut through the richness.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Cheddar Sausage Balls

Cranberry Chicken Salad

A wooden bowl of chicken salad with celery and dried cranberries, being mixed with a wooden spoon. Celery sticks and pecans are visible in the background. — Cranberry Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Chopped chicken gets tossed with dried cranberries and a creamy dressing. It’s sweet, savory, and slightly tangy. Great for sandwiches or lettuce cups. The cranberries keep it bright and lively.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Chicken Salad

Cranberry Cream Cheese Stuffed Flank Steak

A cooked roast garnished with fresh rosemary, surrounded by arugula and cranberries, is presented on a brown serving platter. A dish of stuffing is visible in the background. — Cranberry Cream Cheese Stuffed Flank Steak. Photo credit: xoxo Bella .

A rolled flank steak is stuffed with cranberry and cream cheese filling. It’s roasted and sliced to reveal a spiral of flavor. The creamy filling contrasts with the meaty exterior. This one’s impressive without being complicated.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Cream Cheese Stuffed Flank Steak

Cranberry Holiday Beef Brisket

A roasted beef pot roast garnished with fresh rosemary and surrounded by vegetables and sauce in a rectangular Staub baking dish. — Cranberry Holiday Beef Brisket. Photo credit: Xoxo Bella .

This slow-cooked brisket is simmered with cranberry sauce for a sweet and savory twist. The meat becomes fork-tender as it absorbs the flavor. A great dish for serving a crowd. The cranberries melt into a rich sauce.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Holiday Beef Brisket

Cranberry Jalapeno Dip

A plate of cream cheese topped with a chunky cranberry salsa, surrounded by square crackers on a wooden board with fresh herbs nearby. — Cranberry Jalapeno Dip. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Fresh cranberries meet chopped jalapenos in this spicy-sweet dip. It’s served over cream cheese and scooped up with crackers. The balance of heat and tartness makes it addictive. A fun change from traditional appetizers.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Jalapeno Dip

Cranberry Orange Cheese Ball

A round cheese ball coated with chopped nuts is served on a plate surrounded by assorted crackers. — Cranberry Orange Cheese Ball. Photo credit: Xoxo Bella .

This cheese ball mixes orange zest with cranberries for a fresh twist. The citrus lightens up the creamy base. It’s rolled in nuts for crunch. Serve it with crisp crackers for a colorful appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Cheese Ball

Cranberry Pesto Stuffed Lamb

Sliced roast meat topped with a red berry sauce, garnished with cranberries and herbs, served on a dark plate with pinecones and greenery nearby. — Cranberry Pesto Stuffed Lamb. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This lamb is filled with a vibrant cranberry and herb pesto before roasting. The filling adds moisture and flavor from the inside out. It’s sliced to show off the colorful center. A bold option for holiday dinners.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Pesto Stuffed Lamb

Cranberry Salad

This basic salad puts cranberries front and center, often with a mix of greens and nuts. It’s lightly dressed to let the tartness shine. It’s a simple way to add brightness to a heavier meal. The textures keep it interesting.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Salad

Cranberry Sauce with Dried Cranberries

A white bowl filled with cranberry sauce sits on a white surface, surrounded by orange halves, zest, and a few dried cranberries. — Cranberry Sauce with Dried Cranberries. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Using dried cranberries makes this sauce rich and concentrated. It’s thick and chewy with a deep color. Great if you want a version that holds its shape. The flavor is bold and slightly sweet.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Sauce with Dried Cranberries

Easy Cranberry Salad with Pecans

An image of cranberry salad with pecans served in a white salad bowl with a fork on the side. — Easy Cranberry Salad with Pecans. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Cranberries and pecans come together in this crunchy, sweet-savory salad. The pecans add richness while the cranberries brighten each bite. It’s tossed in a light dressing. Serve chilled alongside roasts or casseroles.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cranberry Salad with Pecans