A foolproof cranberry sauce (like the one Ree Drummond makes year after year) will come in handy on Thanksgiving Day. With its sweet-tart flavor and jamm-y texture, it’s the perfect holiday side dish for your turkey and mashed potatoes.
But don’t stop there! If you wind up with just a little too much cranberry sauce at the end of the day, you’ll want to put those Thanksgiving leftovers to good use. Luckily, extra cranberry sauce can last in the fridge for about two weeks, so you have plenty of time to try these creative leftover cranberry sauce ideas.
So how do you like your cranberry sauce? Ree's cranberry sauce is more jelly-like and sweet, but you can also doctor it up with orange zest, chopped nuts, or try an apple-cranberry sauce that’s full of seasonal flavor. Either way, cranberry sauce is similar to other jams in that it makes the perfect accompaniment to fall breakfast recipes or baked desserts. Looking to use up that extra hot pepper cranberry sauce with a spicy twist? Try it on a savory sandwich or in a hearty casserole dinner throughout the week.
So now that you have the means for cranberry sauce leftovers, let's hit it: Here are 25 cranberry recipes that use leftover cranberry sauce!
Breakfast
Let's start off right away with the morning after the Thanksgiving feast. Because breakfast loves cranberries.
1. Swirl cranberry sauce into a bowl of yogurt and granola. In the bowl above, the cranberry sauce is blitzed with an immersion blender and swirled it into vanilla bean yogurt. Then, topped it off with some of the whole cranberries from the sauce.
2. Use the cranberry sauce as a filling for sweet rolls. Spread the sauce over the rolled-out dough leaving about a 1/2-inch from the edge. Roll up the dough and when it's done baking, top with a cream cheese glaze.
3. Use the cranberry sauce for filling in homemade Pop Tarts.
4. Make a simple maple cranberry syrup by heating some of the cranberry sauce with pure maple syrup in a saucepan on the stovetop. Then spoon it over your favorite breakfast pancakes, waffles, or French toast.
5. Stir the cranberry sauce into a bowl of steaming oatmeal or steel-cut oats, or into overnight oats.
6. Make cranberry butter for your favorite muffins or breakfast breads by beating together butter, a little cranberry sauce, fresh orange zest, and a touch of almond extract.
7. Top a toasted bagel or English muffin with cream cheese and a shmear of cranberry sauce.
Drinks
There are also many ways to incorporate cranberry sauce into drinks.
8. This smoothie, another morning-after recipe, couldn't be easier to make. In a blender, combine 1 cup fresh-pressed apple cider, 1-1/2 cups cranberry sauce, 2 frozen bananas, 1 cup yogurt, and a dash of cinnamon. Blend until combined. It makes two large servings.
9. Add a spoon of sweet/tart cranberry sauce to a tall glass with ice and pour in cold and bubbly club soda. Muddle and stir to combine, for a refreshing homemade soda.
10. Swirl a spoon of blitzed cranberry sauce into a vodka or gin cocktail with tonic water over ice. Or stir a bit of the bright sauce into your favorite margarita!
Appetizers
11. This crostini appetizer is an easy before-dinner nibble that's so very pretty, and perfect for a holiday starter. Simply toast your favorite baguette or smaller bread under the broiler until just crisp, and then let cool. Top with softened cream cheese or goat cheese, followed by a bit of cranberry sauce, fresh orange zest, and fresh thyme leaves. Crack a bit of black pepper over the top to finish them off.
12. Use cranberry sauce for these cranberry brie bites. They're flaky, cheesy, tart, and perfect for any holiday party of the season.
13. Staying on theme with the cheesy appetizers, try topping a salty whipped feta dip with your favorite cranberry sauce. Add nuts, such as pistachios or almonds, for crunch and a sprinkle of fresh herbs, like parsley or mint. Then, scoop it up with pita wedges!
14. Make a Thanksgiving-themed charcuterie board that you can put on repeat all season long. Start off with the usual meat and cheese assortment, then add seasonal flourishes, like candied pecans, pumpkin hummus, and a bowl of cranberry sauce. Your friends can spread a cracker or toast point with the sweet-tart sauce, then top it off with a slice of cheese or melty brie for the perfect bite.
Dinner
15. This idea for leftover cranberry sauce involves meatballs. In a large skillet, heat 1 cup cranberry sauce, 12 ounces chili sauce, 1 teaspoon cumin, and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Fold in a 22-ounce bag of your favorite frozen cooked homestyle meatballs, thawed. Stir every now and then, until heated through. Top with chopped fresh parsley, if you like a little touch of fancy. Serve as a main entree with mashed potatoes or as an appetizer with party picks.
16. Cranberry sauce is the perfect accompaniment to a leftover Thanksgiving casserole. This is also a great way to use up leftover mashed potatoes and leftover turkey!
17. Make burger night after the holidays! Prepare your favorite turkey burgers and top them melted pepper jack cheese and cranberry sauce.
18. Construct an awesome grilled cheese sandwich with layers of leftover turkey and cranberry sauce, plus sharp cheddar. Mmmmm!
19. If you like to make your own salad dressings, try incorporating a bit of blitzed cranberry sauce into your favorite balsamic or red wine vinaigrette.
20. Cranberry sauce would make an excellent glaze for grilled meats. Toward the end of the grilling time, brush some of the smooth sauce (thin with a little water or apple cider vinegar, if needed) over pork tenderloins, bone-in pork chops, chicken breasts, turkey tenderloins, or rich and tender beef kebabs.
21. Give your typical turkey sandwich a major upgrade by combining equal parts mayonnaise and cranberry sauce with lemon zest, salt, and pepper. It makes for a creamy, tangy spread! You can use it on any sandwich you like, but these leftover turkey BLTs stacked onto focaccia bread are always a good idea.
Dessert
And now for the very best part. Let's talk about a few ways to enjoy dessert!
22. Imagine how wonderful a spoon of cranberry sauce would be over slices of ricotta cheesecake, a bowl of rice pudding, or even fudgy boxed brownies. It doesn't get easier!
23. For a fun bake sale treat, try cranberry streusel bars made with a shortbread crust, cranberry filling, and crumbly cinnamon-oat topping.
24. Slices of angel food cake or pound cake would be irresistible topped with warmed cranberry sauce, scoops of vanilla bean ice cream, and whipped cream.
25. It's officially cookie season! Make the gingerbread cookie sandwiches pictured above filled with zesty orange buttercream and jellied cranberry sauce. All you'll need is a glass of milk!
After writing this post, I am convinced that there are at least a hundred more ways to enjoy leftover cranberries. Please share your favorite ways in the comments!
