I Bought Cranberries for One Sauce and Found 17 More Ways to Use Them

You bought cranberries for one sauce, and now there’s a whole bag in the fridge, quietly judging you. Time to put it to work.

In my family, cranberries also show up as a spiced juice, and every time I make it I think of my grandparents smiling as they poured it into our cups. Cranberry fluff salad is on our table every holiday, and my kids ask for it before they’ve even sat down.

These 17 recipes give that bag a second life, from muffins and cheesecake to slow cooker mains and a warm spiced juice. Pick one and go.

Cranberry Fluff Salad

I have been making fluff salads for years, and this cranberry one beats them all. Pineapple, cranberries, mini marshmallows, and pecans get folded into something creamy and pink, and it’s done in about ten minutes. It’s on our table every holiday, and my kids ask for it before they even sit down.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Fluff Salad

Cranberry Tartlets

Tiny tarts, no slicing, and everyone gets their own. The filling is sweet and tart, exactly the way cranberries are meant to be. Fair warning: a plate of these doesn’t stay full for long.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Tartlets

Lemon Cranberry Cheesecake Bars

Two tart things, lemon and cranberry, sit on a creamy cheesecake layer, and the buttery graham cracker crust keeps them friendly. That red topping looks like a party on a dessert platter. Cut the squares small, because people will come back for more.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Cranberry Cheesecake Bars

Old Fashioned Spiced Cranberry Juice

My family’s spiced cranberry juice smells like cinnamon and orange zest, and it takes me right back to my grandparents smiling as they poured it into our cups. It simmers with ginger and warm spices, then gets strained and sweetened with a little honey or agave. Drink it hot, drink it cold, or add a splash of booze if the night calls for it.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Spiced Cranberry Juice

Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken

Cranberry sauce does the heavy lifting here, and so does the slow cooker. The chicken breast simmers until tender in a sweet, tangy sauce, so dinner takes almost no effort. Spoon it over rice or mashed potatoes, because you’ll want every last drop.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken

Cranberry Orange Muffins

Tart cranberries, a sweet orange glaze, and a soft crumb: this is the muffin that makes a Monday morning feel like a weekend. Bake a batch, and that bag of cranberries finally has a purpose.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Muffins

Rustic Cranberry Galette

Pie crust can be stressful, and a galette says, “Forget it.” Fold the edges up by hand, let them look rustic, and fill it with raspberries and cranberries. Serve it warm, and nobody will ask about the crust.
Get the Recipe: Rustic Cranberry Galette

Paleo Orange Cranberry Cake

Oranges, cranberries, and warm spices make this cake smell like the holidays before it’s even out of the oven. It’s paleo, so it skips the grains, and nobody at the table has to sit out dessert.
Get the Recipe: Paleo Orange Cranberry Cake

Slow Cooker Cranberry Short Ribs

Cozy doesn’t get much better than short ribs simmered with red wine, herbs, and cranberries. The meat turns rich and tender, and the cranberries add a tart edge so the sauce doesn’t feel heavy. Make it the first time the weather turns cold.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cranberry Short Ribs

Roasted Cranberry Chicken Thighs

Lemon, rosemary, and a tangy-sweet cranberry glaze are how a regular weeknight chicken dinner gets dressed up for the holidays. The thighs roast in the oven, so you get the festive look without the fuss.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cranberry Chicken Thighs

Baked Cranberry Cheesecake

One bowl, a food processor, and a cheesecake that looks like you spent all day on it. The orange cranberry topping cooks while the cheesecake bakes, and the tart cranberries cut right through all that creamy richness. It’s an easy dessert that looks impressive.
Get the Recipe: Baked Cranberry Cheesecake

Cranberry White Chocolate Bread (Gluten Free Option)

This loaf belongs on every Thanksgiving table. Tart cranberries and mellow white chocolate share every slice under a sweet glaze, and there’s a gluten-free option so nobody has to skip it. Slice it thick and pour the coffee.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry White Chocolate Bread (Gluten Free Option)

Crockpot Cranberry Pork Loin

Pork loin can be plain, and this crockpot one definitely isn’t. A sweet-tart cranberry glaze and savory herbs give it a holiday look, and the slow cooker keeps it tender. Slice it for a holiday table or an ordinary Tuesday.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Cranberry Pork Loin

Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Turkey Sliders

Turkey sliders get a sweet, tangy twist from canned cranberries in the barbecue sauce, and they’re a little messy in the best way. The turkey cooks in the slow cooker for hours, then gets shredded, layered with melted cheese on buns, and baked for a short while. Prep takes about 10 minutes, so that can of cranberry sauce finally gets a real job.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Turkey Sliders

Cranberry Orange Scones

Flaky, buttery edges, cranberries in every bite, and a fresh orange glaze on top: these scones make a slow morning feel like a treat. Pair them with coffee and take your time.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Scones

Crockpot Cranberry Pot Roast

Chuck roast slowly turns tender in a sweet-tart cranberry gravy, and the whole house starts to smell like Sunday dinner. Spoon extra gravy over mashed potatoes for a cozy family dinner with no fuss.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Cranberry Pot Roast

Jalapeño Cranberry Dip

Sweet, tart, spicy, and creamy: this dip has a lot going on, and every bit of it works. It comes together in a few simple steps, so it’s easy to bring to a holiday party. Set it out with crackers and watch people hover around the bowl.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Cranberry Dip

Cranberry sauce deserves its place at Thanksgiving, but I think the rest of the bag deserves a little attention, too.