30+ Leftover Cranberry Sauce Recipes (2024)

If Thanksgiving is over and you are wondering what to do with leftover cranberry sauce, you are in luck! There are quite a few very delicious ways to use those leftovers up. From appetizers, to main dishes and even a beverage or two, this list gives you the most delicious leftover cranberry sauce recipes!

Whether you have homemade cranberry sauce, or the kind from the can, each of these recipes can be made with whatever leftover cranberry sauce you have on hand. If you don’t have any thanksgiving leftovers but want to make one of these recipes, you can whip up our easy cranberry sauce recipe fast!

If you have leftover Turkey too, make sure and check out all of our Leftover Turkey Recipes here!

How long does Cranberry Sauce last?

Both canned or homemade cranberry sauce will last 7-10 days when stored in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in the freezer.

If you plan to freeze your cranberry sauce, I recommend dividing it into usable portion sizes so that you don’t have to de-thaw the whole batch of cranberry sauce to use some.

Leftover Turkey and Cranberry Sauce Recipes

If you have lots of Thanksgiving leftovers, these are your go to recipes! Some might even say they taste even better than the day before!

• Hot Turkey Cranberry Sliders– These sliders are warm, with tender turkey and melty cheese. The cranberry sauce gives it just enough tang to make these little turkey sandwiches irresistible! Make it with leftover turkey, turkey tenderloin, or deli turkey!
• Turkey Cranberry Pizza– On a prepared pizza crust, spread turkey gravy. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese then add turkey over the top. Dollop with cranberry sauce. Bake per pizza crust directions. Optional: add green beans and/or french fried onions over top of the turkey and cranberry.
• Turkey Cranberry Salad– Chop leftover turkey, combine with mayonnaise, leftover cranberry sauce, chopped celery, and mix to combine. Serve on crackers, lettuce wraps, or toast.
• Turkey Cranberry Brie Panini– Place sliced turkey, leftover cranberry sauce, and slices of brie cheese between two slices of ciabatta. Brush the outsides with olive oil or butter then cook in a panini press or on a griddle until golden on each side.
• Cranberry Avocado Turkey Wrap– Sliced turkey, leftover cranberry sauce, avocado, and spinach wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla.
• Turkey Cranberry Quesadilla– Heat a skillet over medium heat. Melt 1/2 tablespoon of butter. Lay a large tortilla in pan and sprinkle in mozzarella, leftover turkey, dollops of cranberry sauce and stuffing. Grill until the tortilla is golden then fold and serve with gravy for dipping.

Appetizers with Cranberry Sauce

• Baked Brie with Cranberry– Make our Baked Brie in Pie Crust and simply add few spoonfuls of cranberry sauce between the brie and the pie crust. This is one of my go to apps when entertaining during the holiday season
• Cranberry Phyllo Bites– Place phyllo shells on a baking sheet. Add a cube of brie cheese, a dollop of cranberry sauce, and a little freshly chopped rosemary. Bake at 400˚F for 10-12 minutes.
• Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip– This may be the easiest recipe ever, just take a softened brick of cream cheese and spoon the cranberry sauce over the top. Garnish with fresh rosemary to make it pretty. Serve it with crackers.
• Cranberry Meatballs– Combine 1 cup of leftover cranberry sauce with 1 cup of BBQ sauce and stir in either frozen meatballs or my homemade homestyle meatballs. Place in a crockpot for 2-3 hours on low.
• Cranberry Goat Cheese Crostini– Slice a baguette into thin slices. Brush each one with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Arrange on a cookie sheet then bake at 400˚F for 12-15 minutes or until golden. Once done, spread with goat cheese and a dollop of cranberry sauce.

Sandwiches made with Leftover Cranberry Sauce

• Cranberry Tea Sandwiches– Cream cheese and cranberry sauce spread on white or whole wheat bread, cut into small tea-sized sandwiches.
• Cranberry Turkey Club Sandwich– Classic club sandwich with turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato, then mix leftover cranberry sauce with mayo to spread on each slice of bread.
• Grilled Cheese with Cranberry and Bacon– Sharp cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and cranberry sauce between slices of sliced sourdough bread. Butter each side and grill until golden brown.
• Cranberry Tuna Salad Sandwich– Make tuna salad with leftover cranberry sauce, mayonnaise, and chopped celery. Scoop on toasted whole grain bread.
• Cranberry and Goat Cheese Croissant Sandwich– Cut croissants in half. Spread goat cheese and leftover cranberry sauce over each one. Add a handful of arugula, then top with the other half of the croissant.

Dinners with Leftover Cranberry Sauce

• Crockpot Cranberry Chicken– This dump and go slow cooker dinner is the best for leftover cranberry sauce. It only takes minutes of prep and is loaded with holiday flavor.
• Cranberry Glazed Meatloaf– Use ground turkey to make a meatloaf, then spread letover cranberry sauce over the top as a glaze.
• Cranberry BBQ Ribs– Prepare ribs in your preferred method. Then mix equal parts BBQ sauce and cranberry sauce and brush over the ribs
• Cranberry Glazed Ham– Combine a cup of leftover cranberry sauce with 1/4 cup of orange juice and whisk together. Place a precooked spiral ham in a casserole dish and spread half of the cranberry sauce over the ham. Cover with foil and bake at 350˚F for 1 hour. Remove and glaze with the remainder of the cranberry sauce and bake for an additional 20-30 minutes.
• Cranberry Rice Stuffed Squash– Cut an acorn squash in half and place cut side down on a baking sheet. Roast at 400˚F for 30-40 minutes or until fork tender. While they are cooking prepare wild rice per package directions. Stuff squash with wild rice top with leftover cranberry sauce and toasted walnuts.
• Cranberry Pulled Pork Sweet Potatoes– Follow this recipe for pulled pork replacing the Italian dressing with leftover cranberry sauce. Serve on split baked sweet potatoes.

Breakfast Recipes with Leftover Cranberry Sauce

• Cranberry Cream Cheese Bagel– Mix softened cream cheese with leftover cranberry sauce and spread over a toasted bagel
• Cranberry Almond Parfait– Layer vanilla yogurt, cranberry sauce, and almond granola in a glass to make a parfait.
• Cranberry Sauce Muffins– Swirl leftover cranberry sauce into basic muffin batter. You can use homemade muffin recipe, or even a box mix!
• Cranberry Cream Cheese French Toast– Spread cream cheese and cranberry sauce between two slices of bread. Dip in egg mixture and cook on a griddle until each side is golden brown.
• Cranberry Pecan Oatmeal– Stir in leftover cranberry sauce, toasted pecans and a drizzle of honey into plain or maple flavored oatmeal.
• Cranberry Pop Tarts– Place cranberry sauce between two rectangles of pie crust dough. Seal the edges by pressing with a fork, then bake until golden. Glaze with a mixture of powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk.

Drinks Made with Cranberry Sauce

• Cranberry Orange Sparkler– Stir together prosecco (or sparkling water) with orange juice and a dollop of cranberry sauce. Garnish with fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary.
• Cranberry Mojito– Make a classic mojito and stir in a spoonful of leftover cranberry sauce for each drink.
• Apple Cider Cranberry Mule– Combine 1/4 cup apple cider, 1/4 cup vodka, 1 tablespoon leftover cranberry sauce, and 3 ounces of ginger beer together. Add ice and garnish with apple slices.
• Cranberry Lemonade– Combine 8 ounces of lemonade with 2 tablespoons of leftover cranberry sauce.
• Cranberry Coconut Cooler– Combine leftover cranberry juice, coconut water, and a splash of pineapple juice for a refreshing fruity drink.

Dessert Recipes Made with Leftover Cranberry Sauce

Each of these treats are made extra delicious with the addition of leftover cranberry sauce.

• Cranberry Cheesecake Bars– Swirl cranberry sauce into your classic cheesecake bars for a tangy twist.
• Cranberry Sauce Thumbprint Cookies– Add cranberry sauce in place of jam to your favorite thumb print cookies.
• Cranberry Apple Crumble– Prepare apple crisp as directed, but before adding the crisp topping, dollop cranberry sauce over the apples, then finish with the topping and bake.

If you’re looking for more ways to use up those Thanksgiving leftovers, check out my leftover turkey recipes post that is full of even more delicious meals!

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