14 Delicious Things to Do With Leftover Cranberry Sauce

Not Just for Spreading on Sandwiches

Fruit Pancakes

The Spruce / Leah Maroney

Cranberry sauce is an essential part of the Thanksgiving meal. But what do you do with the extra after the big dinner is over? Think beyond cranberry sauce as a simple topping with these creative recipes that will solve the problem of what to do with leftover cranberry sauce. From breakfast and brunch dishes to savory mains and even desserts, you may like these recipes so much that you decide to make several batches of cranberry sauce, then freeze some for later! Try these recipes that take advantage of the tart-sweet flavor of cranberries and help you use up every bit of that sauce.

  • 01 of 14

    Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Barbecue

    Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Barbecue

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Leftover cranberry sauce adds a delightful kick of flavor to pulled pork. Simply add a cup to the slow cooker when assembling this easy recipe to produce tangy meat that you can pile onto sandwich buns along with creamy coleslaw and the barbecue sauce of your choice.

  • 02 of 14

    Cranberry Orange Bread Pudding

    Cranberry orange bread pudding

    The Spruce 

    Similar to classic bread pudding, but perfectly at home for a brunch, this cranberry orange bread pudding can be assembled and baked in about an hour with no need for soaking overnight. Simply mix bread cubes with leftover cranberry sauce, cover with a creamy egg mixture, let sit for five minutes, and bake until set. Serve warm with a drizzling of vanilla sauce.

  • 03 of 14

    Easy Fruit Muffins

    Easy Apple Muffins

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

    Fruity muffins are a breakfast on-the-go idea that both adults and kids can get behind. These baked treats begin with a boxed cake mix, but adding fruit and sour cream will make you think you're eating a muffin. Simply swap in cranberry sauce for the apple pie filling in the recipe.

  • 04 of 14

    Cranberry Cocktail Meatballs

    Cocktail Meatballs in a bowl

    The Spruce / Rachel Riesgraf

    Cranberry cocktail meatballs are always a popular appetizer at parties and potlucks. Seasoned meatballs are baked in the oven with a tangy and spicy cranberry-pineapple sauce.

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  • 05 of 14

    Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Pork With Pineapple

    Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Pork With Pineapple

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Slow cooker sweet and sour pork is a classic combination of meat with pineapple and bell peppers in a tasty sauce. Add a cup of leftover cranberry sauce to the other sauce ingredients for a fresh take on a beloved Cantonese dish.

  • 06 of 14

    Raisin Spice Cake Recipe

    Raisin Spice Cake Recipe

    Jonathan Lovekin / Getty Images

    This old-fashioned brown sugar spice cake with raisins is a classic tea-time treat. Add a cup of leftover cranberry sauce to the wet ingredients when preparing the cake batter for a tender snacking cake filled with great fruit flavor.

  • 07 of 14

    Spicy Slow Cooker Chicken Wings

    Spicy Slow Cooker Honey Barbecue Chicken Wings

    Brian Macdonald / Getty Images

    Cranberry hot wings are a cinch to prepare when done with a slow cooker. Simply replace the barbecue sauce in this recipe with leftover cranberry sauce. It will combine with the mustard, honey, Worcestershire and Tabasco sauces to produce wings with knockout flavor.

  • 08 of 14

    Thanksgiving Cuban Sandwich

    Thanksgiving cuban sandwich recipe

    The Spruce / Nita West

    This day-after-Thanksgiving Cuban sandwich uses all your holiday leftovers to create an over-the-top holiday version of the popular Latin sandwich. Slices of Cuban bread hold layers of roasted turkey breast, baked ham, leftover cranberry sauce, dill pickles, yellow mustard, and creamy Swiss cheese.

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  • 09 of 14

    Warm Oatmeal Crisp With Fruit

    Fruit Crisp with Peaches

    Darina Kopcok / Stocksy

    We all love a good apple crisp, but how about a cranberry one? Whip up this quick and easy fruit dessert recipe in 30 minutes when unexpected company drops in at brunch or dinner. To assemble, simply pour leftover cranberry sauce in the bottom of a baking dish and sprinkle with the flavored oatmeal mixed with flour and nuts.

  • 10 of 14

    Cranberry-Glazed Chicken Breasts

    A healthy chicken and salad meal
    kivoart / Getty Images

    With only four ingredients to worry about, including leftover cranberry sauce in place of the raspberry preserves called for in the recipe, this glazing sauce for grilled or baked chicken is super-easy to make. The unusual combination of ingredients results in a wonderful, sweet, tangy sauce that is perfect for tender cooked chicken.

  • 11 of 14

    Fruit Pancakes

    Fruit Pancakes

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

    Cranberries aren't usually the fruit of choice when making pancakes, but you may be surprised at how delicious these fluffy, fruity pancakes are when made with tangy-sweet cranberry sauce. Sub in your leftover sauce for the berries in this recipe, and enjoy the results warm, with a generous dusting of powdered sugar on top.

  • 12 of 14

    Stuffing-Waffle Grilled Cheese With Thanksgiving Leftovers

    Stuffing Waffle Grilled Cheese With Thanksgiving Leftovers

    Grilled Cheese Social

    The morning after the Thanksgiving holiday just got a whole lot tastier with this delicious recipe for "stuffwafels"! Use your waffle press to form leftover stuffing into breakfast waffles and pile layers of cranberry sauce, sliced cheese, and leftover mashed potatoes in between.

    Continue to 13 of 14 below.
  • 13 of 14

    Cranberry Labneh Dip

    Cranberry labneh dip

    The Spruce / Nita West

    Labneh is a Middle Eastern soft cheese made by straining yogurt. Swirling leftover cranberry sauce into fresh labneh adds a sweet component to this tangy spread, transforming it into a colorful holiday dip that you can serve as a party appetizer with crackers for spreading.

  • 14 of 14

    Cranberry-Orange Crunch Bar

    Cranberry-Orange Crunch Bar

    Jonelle Weaver / Getty Images

    Enjoy this easy recipe for sweet and crunchy bar cookies with a tangy fruit filling, that makes great use of leftover cranberry or cranberry-orange sauce. A sweetened oat mixture is sandwiched around the fruit, before being baked into bars. Give them to kids for a lunchbox treat, or enjoy one with your afternoon cup of tea.