15 Thanksgiving cranberry recipes that put sauce out of a can to shame (2024)

Nathan Hostler, Special to The Oregonian/OregonLive

By Grant Butler, The Oregonian/OregonLive

Cranberries are a big part of the Thanksgiving meal, thanks to cranberry sauce. While we know there are plenty of folks who are happy with jellied sauce out of a can, there are so many ways to make show-stopping cranberry sauces using fresh berries. And there are plenty of great ways to incorporate cranberries into other parts of the holiday. Think coffee cakes and muffins in the morning, and desserts that make a nice alternative to pumpkin pie.

Here are 15 cranberry sauce, relish and chutney recipes that are worthy additions to your holiday feast.

Cranberry scones

Leigh Beisch, Artisan Books

These slightly sweet scones from baking superstar Alice Medrich are perfect for Thanksgiving morning, of course, but they also could work as stand-ins for regular dinner rolls for Thanksgiving dinner.

Recipe: Corn Flour and Cranberry Scones.

Chocolate-Cranberry Coffee Cake

Kate Lewis, Running Press

Here’s a perfect way to start Thanksgiving day. This chocolatey coffee cake from vegan baking expert Fran Costigan features cranberries, pecans and oats. This is the perfect thing to munch on while watching the Macy’s parade on TV.

Recipe: Chocolate Pecan Cranberry Coffee Cake.

Cranberry Compote

Ed Anderson, Little, Brown and Company

Celebrity chef Bryan Voltaggio shares this terrific addition to Thanksgiving dinner. It gets layers of flavor from chamomile tea, jalapeno and spices like allspice and cinnamon. Sweet Reisling brings it all together.

Recipe: Bryan Voltaggio's Cranberry Compote.

Bacon-Cranberry Sauce

Matthew Mead, The Associated Press

For a smoky version of cranberry sauce, J.M. Hirsch adds bacon to a sauce that gets an unctuous push from fried onions. It's sure to please the bacon-obsessed folks at your Thanksgiving table.

Recipe: Bacon-Cranberry Sauce.

Cranberry Gastrique

Here’s a Thanksgiving cranberry a sauce you’ll want to use to glaze roast Brussels sprouts, spread on your turkey leg, pour over baked brie and even shake up with a little vodka and soda water for a refreshing co*cktail.

Recipe: Cranberry Gastrique.

Cranberry-Orange Relish

Matthew Mead, The Associated Press

This recipe has been a favorite since it was first published in Martha Stewart Living magazine in 1995. It's unique because it has jalapeño in it, though the heat mellows significantly if you make the relish a day in advance, which helps the flavors combine.

Recipe: Cranberry-Orange Relish.

Cranberry-Habanero Relish

The Oregonian/OregonLive file photo

In 2007, we first shared food writer Sara Bir's Cranberry-Habanero Relish, which comes together in seconds with a food processor. Handle the habanero carefully, as it’s one of the hottest peppers you find at the grocery store.

Recipe: Cranberry-Habanero Relish.

Cranberry-Pecan Relish

This relish from Portland chef David Sapp is a sweet, crunchy condiment punched up with a hit of bourbon. It works perfectly as a surprising component to a grilled cheese sandwich. And it works particularly well in turkey sandwiches for day-after Thanksgiving leftovers.

Recipe: Cranberry-Pecan Relish.

Pinecrest Committee Cranberry Sauce

Pixabay

This easy and delicious recipe from Corvallis cookbook author Jan Roberts-Dominguez combines brandy, raisins, cinnamon and nutmeg, making a perfect side dish with turkey. And, for you plan-ahead types, it can be made today and kept in the refrigerator until it's time for Thanksgiving dinner.

Recipe: Pinecrest Committee Cranberry Sauce.

Apple and Cranberry Chutney

The Oregonian/OregonLive file photo

This cranberry recipe originated in Gourmet magazine back in 2004, and would be at home in India or England. It goes well with turkey, pork or venison.

Recipe: Apple and Cranberry Chutney.

Skillet Apple-Cranberry Sauce With Pistachios

Matthew Mead, The Associated Press

This 15-minute Thanksgiving side dishes pairs two fall flavors -- apples and cranberries. It's sweeter than cranberry relishes, making it appealing to younger palates.

Recipe: Skillet Apple-Cranberry Sauce With Pistachios.

Cranberry Pecan Pie

Romulo Yanes/Kyle Books

Here’s a different way to bring cranberries to your Thanksgiving table. Classic pecan pie gets a tangy twist, thanks to this inventive recipe from “Nick Malgieri's Pastry: Foolproof Recipes for the Home Cook” by Nick Malgieri. Since the filling is cooked before the pie is baked, you can taste it and add a little more sugar if you want.

Recipe: Cranberry Pecan Pie.

Cranberry-Pear Upside-Down Cake

Nathan Hostler, Special to The Oregonian/OregonLive

Looking for an alternative to traditional Thanksgiving desserts like pumpkin or pecan pie? This homey upside-down trick does just the trick, utilizing fall pears and cranberries. It's perfect served warm with spiced apple cider.

Recipe: Cranberry-Pear Upside-Down Cake.

Cranberry Upside-Down Cake

Nathan Hostler, Special to The Oregonian/OregonLive

The idea of using cranberries for an upside-down cake was so good, we couldn't stop at just one. This is a beautiful ruby jewel of a cake from longtime contributor Joan Harvey. This cake is ridiculously fast and easy, making it an ideal dessert if your Thanksgiving menu already has a lot going into it.

Recipe: Cranberry Upside-Down Cake.

Cranberry Ecstasy Bars

Michael Lloyd, The Oregonian/OregonLive

These bar cookies are dead ringers for Starbucks' Cranberry Bliss Bars, and are a perfect alternative dessert for Thanksgiving. The Oregonian's former Test Kitchen director Linda Faus developed this version of holiday treat back in 2006. Since then, the recipe has been published on numerous websites (often without proper credit). But The Oregonian was the first to crack the code for the secret recipe.

Recipe: Cranberry Ecstasy Bars.

More Thanksgiving recipes

Matthew Mead, The Associated Press

Looking for more Thanksgiving recipes?

• Thanksgiving turkey: Our 12 all-time top recipes.
• 27 Thanksgiving side dish recipes, including 3 green bean casseroles.
• Make-ahead mashed potatoes, plus 13 other essential potato dishes.
• 32 vegan Thanksgiving dishes to be truly thankful for.
• 12 Thanksgiving gravy recipes to pour over turkey, mashed potatoes.
• 16 Thanksgiving recipes for rolls, muffins, scones.
• 14 Thanksgiving stuffing recipes to dress up the holiday table.
• Thanksgiving turkey: Everything you need to know for a perfect bird.
• Thanksgiving tips, troubleshooting: Help is just a click or call away .

-- Grant Butler

gbutler@oregonian.com

503-221-8566; @grantbutler