Leftover Cranberry Sauce Recipes (2024)

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Try 24 leftover cranberry recipes to turn cranberry sauce into something new. From muffins and pancakes to pork chops and more, these recipes do not disappoint.

Leftover Cranberry Sauce Recipes (1)

Leftover Cranberry Sauce Recipes

Don’t toss the leftover cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving. Make one of these quick and easy recipes instead. There are numerous recipes to try that are delicious.

From breakfast and brunch to lunch and dinner, the ideas are plentiful. We even have dessert options for leftover cranberry sauce. These recipes are so delicious that you will get excited about Thanksgiving leftovers.

How long does cranberry sauce last in the fridge?

Cranberry has a prolonged shelf life in the fridge. If stored properly, it will last up to 12 days. Just make sure to place the cranberry sauce inside an airtight container.

Leftover Cranberry Sauce Recipes (2)

Can you freeze leftover cranberry sauce?

You can actually freeze cranberry sauce to be able to use leftovers even longer. You will need to allow it to cool completely before freezing.

Then place inside a good freezer container. Make sure to label it so you know when it was initially frozen. this will help to prevent any confusion later.

It can be frozen up to a year. However, it is most flavorful when used within 6 months.

1. Easy Cranberry Muffins Recipe

Once you try these decadent Cranberry Sauce muffins, you will be hooked. They have the perfect blend of tartness and sweetness.

Leftover Cranberry Sauce Recipes (3)

Easy Cranberry Muffins Recipe

Try this easy and delicious Easy Cranberry Muffins Recipe next time you grab cranberries on sale. This is perfect for a breakfast or a snack around the holidays.

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2. Cranberry Orange Crock Pot Pork Tenderloin

The slow cooker makes it so easy to make tender and flavorful pork tenderloin. The cranberry sauce combines with oranges for a great flavor. This combination would be great with pulled pork too.

Leftover Cranberry Sauce Recipes (4)

Cranberry Pork Tenderloin

Looking for an easy and delicious recipe? You have to try this easy Cranberry Pork Tenderloin Recipe! It is packed with flavor!

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3. Thumbprint Cookies

Make this recipe but use leftover cranberry sauce instead of the raspberry jam. The tartness combines nicely with the buttery cookie.

Leftover Cranberry Sauce Recipes (5)

Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies

This easy Raspberry Thumbprint Cookie is so easy to make. This buttery cookie has a soft texture that is bursting with raspberry flavor.

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4. Cranberry Meatballs

Substitute cranberry sauce instead of jelly in this recipe. It is sweet and delicious for the perfect combination.

Leftover Cranberry Sauce Recipes (6)

Crock Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs

Make these delicious Crock Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs with only 3 ingredients! They are savory and sweet and amazing for game day, parties and much more.

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5. Cranberry Jello Salad

You only need 3 ingredients for this simple congealed salad. The cranberry sauce gives it the perfect amount of tartness.

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Cranberry Jello Salad

Cranberry Jello salad is the perfect dish to serve with turkey and more. You only need 3 ingredients to make this delicious jello salad.

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6. Cranberry Cheesecake

Leftover cranberry sauce is a delicious topping for cheesecake. It helps to balance out the sweetness of the cheesecake.

Leftover Cranberry Sauce Recipes (8)

Philadelphia No Bake Cheesecake

Philadelphia No Bake Cheesecake comes together with easy ingredients. The creamy and decadent custard filling tops a graham cracker crust.

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7. Cranberry Orange Bread

Anyone can whip up this quick bread in just minutes. The tasty blend of cranberries and orange give this bread the best flavor.

Leftover Cranberry Sauce Recipes (9)

Cranberry Orange Bread

Cranberry orange bread recipe is a tangy and sweet quick bread that can be made with little effort. Your kitchen will smell amazing.

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8. Cranberry Relish

In minutes, this relish comes together fast and easy. Cranberry Relish is an amazing side to turkey and more.

Leftover Cranberry Sauce Recipes (10)

Cranberry relish

Cranberry relish recipe has only 3 ingredients and goes perfectly with turkey, dressing and more. Make this for your next holiday meal.

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9. Cranberry Bars

Everyone will be fighting over these layered bars with cranberry sauce. They are sweet and delicious. You can use cranberry sauce or even fresh cranberries.

Leftover Cranberry Sauce Recipes (11)

Cranberry Bars

Cranberry Bars are rich, buttery and so easy to make. Perfect for the holidays and a great way to use up any leftover fresh cranberries or cranberry sauce.

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10. Dump and Bake Cranberry Chicken

Toss and go for a great meal without any prep work. With only 5 ingredients, this easy recipe makes the best chicken.

Leftover Cranberry Sauce Recipes (12)

Dump-and-Bake Cranberry Chicken

The most tender, juicy and flavorful baked chicken breasts! This 5-ingredientDump-and-Bake Cranberry Chickenis a cozy, easy dinner recipe that's perfect for cool nights.

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11. Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Danish

Everyone will love these flaky Danishes for breakfast. They are packed with cranberry sauce, cream cheese and more.

Leftover Cranberry Sauce Recipes (13)

Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Danish

Looking for a way to use up cranberry sauce? This easy Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Danish pastry is a delightful treat.

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12. Cranberry Baked Buttermilk Pancakes

Feed a crowd or large family with these easy to make baked pancakes. The added flavor of cranberries is delightful.

Leftover Cranberry Sauce Recipes (14)

Cranberry Baked Buttermilk Pancakes

They're easy because they're baked in a 9×13" pan instead of individually-made standing at the stove top.

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13. Turkey Cranberry Brie Grilled Cheese

Take the basic grilled cheese up a level with brie and cranberry sauce. It is so gooey and amazing.

Leftover Cranberry Sauce Recipes (15)

Turkey Cranberry Brie Grilled Cheese

Amazing recipe to use up thoseThanksgiving leftoversafter the holiday dinner.

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14. Cheesy Cranberry Turkey Baked Sliders

Dinner is super easy with this effortless 30 minute recipe for sliders. It is baked to perfection for the perfect sandwich packed with turkey and cranberries.

Leftover Cranberry Sauce Recipes (16)

Cheesy Cranberry Turkey Baked Sliders

Cheesy Cranberry Turkey Baked Sliders are a quick 30 minute recipe to use up holiday leftovers!

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15. Cranberry Fluff

The delicious blend of sweet and tangy is so amazing in this Cranberry Fluff recipe. The crushed pineapple and marshmallows make it even better.

Leftover Cranberry Sauce Recipes (17)

Cranberry Fluff

Whole-berry cranberry sauce, crushed pineapple and mini marshmallows combine with whipped topping to create a perfectly sweet and tangy Thanksgiving side dish in this Cranberry Fluff.

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16. Leftover Cranberry Sauce Parfaits

Turn leftovers into these sweet and tasty parfaits. Not only do they look gorgeous but they taste even better.

Leftover Cranberry Sauce Recipes (18)

Leftover Cranberry Sauce Parfaits

Making these easy leftover cranberry sauce parfaits is simple.

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17. Cranberry Sauce Bundt Cake

This reminds me of a coffee cake so you might be able to sneak a slice into breakfast. It is so moist and yummy.

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Cranberry Sauce Bundt Cake

Not sure what to do with leftover Thanksgiving cranberry sauce? Use it to make this easy, moist, and delicious Cranberry Sauce Bundt Cake.

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18. Cranberry Pancakes with Cranberry Sauce

Jazz up plain pancakes with cranberry sauce. It adds a ton of delicious flavor for the best breakfast.

Leftover Cranberry Sauce Recipes (20)

Cranberry Pancakes with Cranberry Sauce

Holidays yield A LOT of food, so why not clean out your fridge with these leftover cranberry sauce pancakes! Super fun, and they can be made using homemade or store-bought batter.

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19. Cranberry Hand Pies

Bite size hand pies make a decadent dessert. The flaky crust is packed with cranberry sauce for a real treat.

Leftover Cranberry Sauce Recipes (21)

Cranberry Hand Pies

Cranberry pie is more fun when you can have it all to yourself! Transform leftover cranberry sauce in this recipe for Cranberry Hand Pies!

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20. Cranberry Coffee Cake

The sweet and tart blend of flavors in this coffee cake is so tasty for breakfast or anytime of day. Just add a cup of coffee and you are set.

Leftover Cranberry Sauce Recipes (22)

Cranberry Coffee Cake

A moist, sweet-tart coffee cake, that's great for using up your leftover Cranberry Sauce

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21. Crock Pot Cranberry Pork Chops

The combination of brown sugar, barbecue sauce and cranberries makes a delicious sauce for pork. It is all simmered together perfectly and slow cooked to perfection.

Leftover Cranberry Sauce Recipes (23)

Crock Pot Cranberry Pork Chops

Would you believe me if I told you my kids like these Crock Pot Cranberry Pork Chops better than the holiday dinner that gave us the leftover cranberry sauce?

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22. Monte Cristo

Everyone loves a classic Monte Cristo sandwich and this variation is amazing. The cranberry sauce brings it all together for a great meal.

Leftover Cranberry Sauce Recipes (24)

Monte Cristo

Cranberry sauce, mustard, and cheese keep the sliced breast moist, and a golden brown egg batter elevates that old chestnut to showstopper status.

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23. Cranberry Smoothie

This smoothie recipe is sure to impress. Everyone will love the sweet and tart combination. While this might be a surprising ingredient to add to a smoothie, the results are fabulous.

Leftover Cranberry Sauce Recipes (25)

Cranberry Smoothie

This cranberry smoothie is easy to make and filled with lots of good-for-you ingredients (but ones you don't need to hunt down). Refreshingly tart and tasty.

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24. Orange Mousse with Cranberry Sauce

This layered Mousse dessert is smooth and creamy. The orange zest and cranberries make a fabulous dessert. Feel free to top with whipped cream.

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Orange Mousse with Cranberry Sauce

This Orange Mousse with Cranberry Sauce is a light, elegant dessert that showcases the sweet-tart beauty of cranberries! You can use store-bought or leftover cranberry sauce for the topping, so it comes together quickly and easily!

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There are so many delicious recipes.

The options are endless for using cranberry sauce to make new recipes. You might want to have leftovers just to be able to make these yummy ideas.

Instead of tossing leftover cranberry sauce, transform it into something new. Your family will love it. Not only does it help to prevent waste but and save money but these recipes taste great.

Give it a try and let us know what you make. I think you will be impressed how tasty these recipes turn out.

More Thanksgiving leftover Recipes:

  • Leftover turkey recipes
  • 50Thanksgiving leftover recipes
Leftover Cranberry Sauce Recipes (27)

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About the Author

Leftover Cranberry Sauce Recipes (36)

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Leftover Cranberry Sauce Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How do you jazz up canned cranberry sauce? ›

Adding a teaspoon or two of fresh lemon or orange zest, a tablespoon of chopped candied peel, or even a splash of juice to your canned sauce will brighten flavors and bring in some homemade flavor.

How long does leftover cranberry sauce last in the fridge? ›

Since you might not easily remember the date the can was originally opened, adding the date you refrigerated the leftovers is a good idea. When correctly stored, cranberry sauce can stay good in your fridge for up to two weeks, whether it's the whole berry or jelly style.

How do you fix bland cranberry sauce? ›

Maple syrup, brown sugar and even honey can make your cranberry sauce more dynamic. And don't forget the spices! Cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, citrus zest and star anise all work well with cranberries and can be added while the sauce cooks to infuse your sauce with flavor.

Are you supposed to cook canned cranberry sauce? ›

It's perfectly fine to serve up cranberry sauce — whole berry or jelled — straight out of the can. But in my experience, heating the canned sauce up takes its flavor to the next level. Plus, it becomes a little more aesthetically pleasing.

Can I freeze leftover canned cranberry sauce? ›

Unlike its homemade counterpart, canned cranberry sauce doesn't freeze or defrost very well. The jellied texture changes after freezing, becoming more watery. Even the leading authority on canned cranberry sauce, Ocean Spray, agrees that freezing canned cranberry sauce is not recommended.

How do you know if cranberry sauce has gone bad? ›

When in question, summon your senses to determine if your cranberry sauce is bad or spoiled, and this goes for homemade and canned: If it has an "off" smell, flavor, or appearance—or if mold appears—toss it.

Can I freeze leftover cranberry sauce? ›

Homemade cranberry sauce keeps wonderfully in the freezer for up to three months. Pour your cooled cranberry sauce into freezer-friendly zip-top plastic bags, and remove as much air as possible from the bag before sealing.

What is cranberry sauce good to eat with? ›

Similar to a low-sugar jam or preserves, cranberry sauce is intensely flavored and delicious with meats, especially pork or pot roast. It also fares well with cheese, in desserts, and in quick breads.

What do people eat cranberry sauce with? ›

Cranberry sauce can be used with a variety of meats, including turkey, pork, chicken, and ham. Cranberry sauce is often eaten in conjunction with turkey for Christmas in the United Kingdom and Canada or Thanksgiving in the United States and Canada, and it is only rarely eaten or served in other contexts there.

Can you use cranberry sauce to make juice? ›

Jellied cranberry sauce can be used in a wide variety of ways. It can be melted down and blended with fresh cranberries, orange peel and sugar for an amped up classic holiday treat.

Why does my cranberry sauce taste bitter? ›

Dear Evelyn: I had the same problem when I first started making my own cranberry sauce. I found out that you should cook them just until they pop. Further cooking will make them bitter, and once that happens, you need to start again.

What thickens cranberry sauce? ›

The sugar in the syrup helps the mixture thicken. It could also be because you haven't cooked the mixture long enough. The cranberries need to cook long enough to burst so that they release plenty of pectin which is a thickener naturally found in cranberries.

Can cranberry sauce go bad? ›

After a few years, if the can is undented, the cranberry sauce's texture, color, or flavor may change, but it likely won't be dangerous. Again, use your senses to test whether the cranberry sauce is still good. Signs of spoilage include cans that are leaking, rusting, bulging, or severely dented.

How do you plate canned cranberry sauce? ›

The traditional way to serve canned cranberry sauce is to slice the cylinder into rounds and arrange them on a platter. Go a step further by adding a garnish like sugared rosemary or candied ginger. Or, cook the canned sauce with orange juice and zest for a citrusy take on a holiday standby.

How do you serve jarred cranberry sauce? ›

You open the can, slide the contents onto a plate, and either slice it into neat rounds, or break it into chunks to serve it. I have known people to eat it with a spoon straught out of the jar. Some people arrange round slices of cranberry sauce on lettuce leaves and top them with mandarin oranges from a can.

How do you remold canned cranberry sauce? ›

The technique is simple: Take warm cranberry sauce, ladle it into greased mini Bundt molds, and put it in the fridge. (You want to do this in advance; you'll need 7 to 9 hours, total.) To unmold, dip the Bundt pan carefully into a 9 x 11-inch cake or roasting pan full of warm water for just 30 seconds.

Is canned cranberry sauce better than homemade? ›

While there are some editors who prefer homemade cranberry sauce, the canned variety also has quite a following. "There's something so beautifully perfect about the texture of canned cranberry sauce, and none of those homemade mess will ever compete," says Senior Digital Food Editor Kimberly Holland.

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