20 Irresistible Cranberry Recipes

Cranberry sauce is a staple during holidays. But did you know that cranberries are actually a superfood we should be enjoying all year round?! In disease-fighting antioxidants, these little red ninjas outrank nearly every fruit and vegetable! So whether you’re looking to enjoy nature’s tangy tart goodness in salads and desserts or dressing up that big ole turkey for your Thanksgiving or Christmas Dinner, we’re going to add some sweetness to your day with these 20 irresistible Cranberry recipes!

Cranberry recipes

As much as I love cranberries, I didn’t really know anything about this delicious little fruit… until now.

The cranberry was once called “crane berry” by settlers because of its blossom’s resemblance to the sandhill crane. Likewise, OceanSpray.com’s brief intro into this tiny red berry’s history shows that it also rightly takes on the nickname of the “wonderberry.”

“It was Native Americans who first took advantage of the cranberry’s many natural attributes. By mixing mashed cranberries with deer meat, they made a survival food called pemmicana. They also believed in the medicinal value of the cranberry, using the berry in poultices to draw poison from arrow wounds. And the rich red juice of the cranberry was used as a natural dye for rugs, blankets and clothing.  All just some of the reasons the cranberry has been called the ‘wonderberry’.”

Another fun fact: Cranberries don’t actually grow in water!

So when you see the TV commercials with the guy standing in waders surrounded by floating cranberries, it means the commercial is filming during harvest season (late September through October). Cranberries actually grow on low-lying vines in  bogs or marshes that are layers of sand, peat, gravel and clay. In the 1800s, when cranberries were first grown on a large scale, the grower would pick the berries by hand. The method was later revolutionized into a process known as wet harvesting. When the marshes are flooded with water, the berries (because of an air pocket) become buoyant enough to float to the surface and can be collected by harvesting equipment.

Amazing, huh?

So why don’t we eat more of them? Probably because most of us don’t really know what to do with them if they aren’t canned, jellied, juiced or dried. But have no fear, Makeovers & Motherhood is here! These amazing recipes are super easy and super delicious and will make you a cranberry pro in no time.

More good news? While we know that raw is always better (meaning unprocessed), there is still hope for those of us with cranberry intimidation. Dried cranberries have plenty of health benefits that qualify them as being good for you. Granted, commercial processing will decrease some of the nutritional value by reducing vitamins and in some cases adding more sugar. But don’t shy away from them. A good rule of thumb: check out the nutritional details on the package. If the nutritional profile looks more like candy with an excess of sugar, kiss it goodbye and move on! Healthier brands do exist and can be a good way for you to get more superfood into your body. Trust me, we’re dried cranberry junkies over here! But if you want the whole deal, go for the real deal and eat fresh.

You’re welcome for the history lesson. Now let’s get on to those…

 

20 Irresistible Cranberry Recipes

Cranberry Apple Walnut Stuffing | Thrifty Jinxy

Cranberry Stuffed Sweet Potatoes  | Thyme and Love

Skinny Broccoli Salad | Ms Alisha Carlson

Cranberry Sauce with Citrus | Girl and the Kitchen

Butternut Squash & Cranberry Quinoa Salad | Eat. Drink. Love.

Cranberry BBQ Drumsticks | Homemade Hooplah

Cranberry Pistachio Bakes Brie | Homemade Hooplah

Grand Marnier Cranberry Relish | The Happier Homemaker

Cranberry Meatballs | Princess Pinky Girl

Sage Apple Cranberry Dressing | The Complete Savorist

Cranberry Salsa | Bite of Delight

Cranberry Crescent Rolls | Beauty Through Imperfection

Bacon Bleu Cranberry Brussel Sprouts | The Complete Savorist

Crock Pot Cranberry Applesauce | Crockpot Ladies

Chocolate Cranberry Cheerio Bars | Ms Alisha Carlson

Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad | 4 Sons ‘R’ Us

Cranberry Cheese Ball | So Easy Being Green

Pear & Pecan Arugula Salad with Sparkling Cranberry Vinaigrette | Joyfully Mad

Pear Cranberry Bourbon Chutney | The Beach House Kitchen

Pork Cranberry Goat Cheese Sausage Rolls | The Home Cook’s Kitchen

Cranberry Pecan Banana Bread | Amy’s Healthy Baking

 

I am so impressed with all these cranberry recipes! Just recently I bought fresh cranberries during the holiday season to use as a garnish in my sangria. Never had I ever thought to get this creative with a cranberry… especially fresh ones!

So tell me… what is your favorite cranberry dish?

Alisha

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