My best cranberry recipes for the 2024 cranberry harvest ~ from muffins, cakes and pies, to jam, jelly, and meatballs for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and beyond.
fresh cranberry recipes for cranberry season
Fresh cranberries are so special we only see them briefly each year ~ only in stores for about 6-8 weeks. Of course you can find frozen cranberries all year round, and all of the cranberry recipes below can be made with fresh or frozen fruit. But true cranberry fanatics (raising hand) get super excited about the tart vibrant FRESH fruit every year.
This year’s crop is bigger than the past few years ~ yay! But less than 5% of the cranberries grown in the US are served up fresh, the rest get juiced or dried. The 2024 crop of fresh berries is in your supermarket produce section now, ask your produce manager if you don’t see them. Stock up so you can make lots of these yummy cranberry recipes!
did you know?
- cranberries are one of many fruits native to North America (along with blueberries and Concord grapes, for example) They grow in bogs in the northern regions of the United States and Canada.
- only about 3% of the annual cranberry crop is sold fresh, the rest gets canned and bottled.
- fresh cranberries can bounce! This is why they are sometimes called “bounceberries.” In the past, growers would bounce them to determine if they were ripe; a fully ripe cranberry can bounce up to 4 inches high.
- cranberries are insanely healthy ~ they’re low calorie, high fiber, high in vitamin C and cancer fighting antioxidants.
- fresh cranberries can reduce the need for antibiotics in women with UTIs due to their high levels of proanthocyanidins, which can prevent bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract walls.
- yes you CAN eat cranberries raw! Pulse them into a relish, or blend up into a super nutritious smoothie.
- cranberries freeze beautifully, just throw the bags in the freezer, they’ll keep all the way ’til next cranberry season.
- fresh cranberries are good for so much more than sauce…just scroll down and see!
cranberry health benefits?
Cranberries are considered a superfood because of their many proven and potential health benefits!
- Antioxidant Rich: Cranberries are loaded with antioxidants, which protect cells from damage.
- Urinary Tract Health: They help prevent urinary tract infections by inhibiting bacterial adhesion.
- Heart Health: Cranberries can lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and improve cholesterol levels.
- Digestive Aid: They’re a good source of fiber, aiding digestion and promoting a healthy gut.
- Cancer Prevention: Some studies suggest cranberries may inhibit cancer cell growth.
- Anti-Inflammatory: They have anti-inflammatory properties beneficial for conditions like arthritis.
- Oral Health: Cranberries inhibit harmful mouth bacteria, reducing gum disease and cavities.
- Weight Management: Their fiber content promotes a feeling of fullness, aiding weight management.
- Skin Health: Cranberry antioxidants protect skin from UV damage and pollutants.
our favorite fresh cranberry recipes
This is what you do with those bags of crimson gems you score in October through December. And then you keep on making them throughout the rest of the year with frozen berries!
CRANBERRY RECIPES FOR BREAKFAST
Fresh Cranberry Muffins
Cranberry Orange Cake
Cranberry Cleanse Smoothie
Cranberry Crumble Pancakes
Cranberry Orange Muffins
Cranberry Walnut Wild Rice Porridge (Mahnomin Porridge)
Cranberry Breakfast Cake
The BEST Cranberry Orange Bread
Fresh Cranberry White Chocolate Scones
Chocolate Cake with Cranberry Buttercream
Cranberry Apple Crisp
Cranberry Gingersnap Pie
Cranberry Crumble Tart
No Churn Cranberry Ice Cream
Cranberry Mousse Pie
White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
Cranberry Whipped Cream
Fresh Cranberry Bars
Nantucket Cranberry Pie
Cranberry Walnut Shortbread Bars
Scandinavian Rice Pudding with Cranberries
CRANBERRY PRESERVES & SAUCES
Maple Cranberry Butter in 15 minutes!
Hot Pepper Cranberry Jam
Easy Mulled Cranberry Jelly
Cranberry Relish with Horseradish and Sour Cream
Cranberry Vinaigrette
Spiced Rum Cranberry Sauce
Easy Crock Pot Cranberry Butter
Spiced Orange Cranberry Relish
Microwave Cranberry Curd
fresh cranberry faqs
When can you find cranberries in the grocery store?
- During cranberry season (mid September through December) you’ll find them fresh, in plastic bags, in the produce section. Every store locates them differently, so ask if you don’t spot them. You can usually find frozen cranberries year round in the freezer aisle.Add image
What is the best way to store fresh cranberries?
- They’re pretty hardy so they’ll last up to a month in the refrigerator. They can be kept in their original packaging or in a breathable container. Do not wash them until you’re ready to use them.
How can I freeze my cranberries?
- Rinse and dry them thoroughly. Lay them out in a single layer on a baking tray and put the tray in the freezer until the berries are frozen solid. Transfer to a heavy duty freezer zip lock bag and press out any excess air before sealing. You can also simply throw bags of fresh cranberries right into your freezer.
Can I eat fresh cranberries raw?
- Yes! Contrary to popular belief, you can eat raw cranberries, although they are very tart.
Can I substitute dried cranberries for fresh cranberries in recipes?
- It really depends on the recipe. You can substitute dried cranberries in some baked goods, but in most fresh cranberry recipes I would stick to the fresh.
Can I use fresh cranberries to make homemade cranberry juice?
- Yes, you can make homemade cranberry juice by simmering fresh cranberries with water and sugar, then straining the mixture. You can adjust the sweetness and dilution to your preference.
That’s an awesome collection of cranberry recipes, Sue. I’m not much of a sweets eater so I’m always looking for savoury cran recipes. I love the idea of cranberry mustard – gotta try it 🙂 Thanks!
I love savory cranberry recipes Kimi, and I’m planning to make roasted cranberry chicken this week, the flavor of those berries is pretty incredible!
I love cranberries. I look forward to this time of year in part because of homemade cranberry sauce. And cranberry-orange muffins. And leftover cranberry sauce on an English muffin.
You and me both Jeff, Happy Thanksgiving!
Those cranberry shortbread bars are calling my name, but truthfully, I’d happily eat every single one of these dishes! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!!!! xoxo
No shortage of cranberries here, so I will be trying a bunch of these 🙂 Thanks for including my pumpkin bread!
Sue these are all fabulous recipes and just in time for the holidays! But your cranberry gingersnap pie is still my all time favorite! 🙂
Hey Sue, thanks so much for including my Spiced Cranberry Conserve in your beautiful round up…I am truly honored! So many of these recipes piqued my interest…as did the recipe for Meatballs Al Forno (my hubby thanks you) and that paleo fruit and nut bread.
Have a spectacular day!
Lynn
haha, you AND your hubby are welcome Lynn, love your conserve!
I’m so enjoying cranberries right now and you’ve given me even more ideas! A gorgeous round up!
Thank you for all these great inspiration recipes around cranberries. I’m still exploring these, as don’t find it so easily in Europe ! Can’t wait to test the ice cream 🙂
It’s a shame you can’t find them in Europe, but they are native to North America, and probably don’t grow well where you are. Food seems to be going global more and more these days, so I wouldn’t be surprised if you don’t see them at some point soon. Thanks for stopping by Amy 🙂
Love cranberries! Can’t wait to try some of these recipes! Thanks for the feature!
Oh yes indeed! This is the perfect roundup with some beautifully inspired recipes. Thanks for sharing!
I can’t get enough of fresh cranberries when they’re in season, Tricia, they’re up there with lemons as my favorite fruit to cook with!