14 Genius Recipes to Use Leftover Thanksgiving Cranberry Sauce

Cathy Pollak
·3-min read

I don’t know about you, but I always end up with lots of extra cranberry sauce after a holiday dinner. It’s one of those side dishes that's hard to gauge how much to make or buy, therefore I over-compensate and have enough available for an army. Plus, who wants to eat a turkey sandwich the next day without cranberry deliciousness? Not me! So really, I’m completely justified in making more than anyone could possibly need in one meal.

Related: 64 Best Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes

And here’s the thing, cranberry sauce is super versatile. It can be used in baked goods, stews, salsas, scooped on cheese, dips and so many other fun things. As a kid we made thumbprint cookies the day after a holiday, with leftover cranberry sauce scooped in the middle and icing to top them off. The sweet-tart mixture was always a welcome treat.

Related: 10 Best Leftover Turkey & Chicken Casserole Recipes

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If you find yourself with extra cranberry sauce this holiday season, here are 14 ways to reinvent your cranberry sauce leftovers into something new and delicious, from Cranberry Pistachio Baked Brie and Cranberry Cornmeal Waffles with Cider Syrup, to Leftover Cranberry Sauce Parfaits. Click the “Launch Gallery” button above or below to check them all out.

14 Delicious Uses for Leftover Cranberry Sauce

<p>Lovely Little Kitchen</p><p>A whole cup of leftover cranberry sauce brightens up this cozy, tender bundt cake. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://lovelylittlekitchen.com/cranberry-almond-greek-yogurt-cake/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Cranberry Almond Greek Yogurt Cake;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Cranberry Almond Greek Yogurt Cake</a></strong></p>
<p>Dessert for Two</p><p>The best breakfast to make with leftover cranberry sauce. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://www.dessertfortwo.com/2014/11/cranberry-cornmeal-waffles-cider-syrup/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Cranberry Cornmeal Waffles with Cider Syrup;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Cranberry Cornmeal Waffles with Cider Syrup</a></strong></p>
<p>Noble Pig</p><p>Make a delicious treat by swirling in leftover cranberries and making this Cranberry-Orange Coffee Cake. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://noblepig.com/2010/11/cranberry-orange-coffee-cake/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Cranberry Orange Coffee Cake;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Cranberry Orange Coffee Cake</a></strong></p>
<p>Gimme Some Oven</p><p>You only need 6 ingredients (including leftover Thanksgiving cranberry sauce) to make this elegant appetizer. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/cranberry-pistachio-baked-brie/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Cranberry Pistachio Baked Brie;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Cranberry Pistachio Baked Brie</a></strong></p>
<p>Noble Pig</p><p>Adding cranberry sauce to hearty meat stews will add a surprising, but oh-so welcoming, dose of subtle sweetness.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://noblepig.com/2008/12/cranberry-pork-stew/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Cranberry Pork Stew;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Cranberry Pork Stew</a></strong></p>
<p>Just a Taste</p><p>Transform a side dish into a dessert? You better believe it! This quick and easy recipe stars a simple crisp topping crumbled over green apple slices tossed with leftover cranberry sauce.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://www.justataste.com/thanksgiving-leftover-cranberry-sauce-apple-crisp-recipe/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Leftover Cranberry Sauce Apple Crisp;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Leftover Cranberry Sauce Apple Crisp</a></strong></p>
<p>Two Peas & Their Pod</p><p>A big spoonful of cranberry sauce is tucked in between the muffin batter before you bake them. The final baked goods are sweet, tart, and totally delightful!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/leftover-cranberry-sauce-muffins/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Leftover Cranberry Sauce Muffins;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Leftover Cranberry Sauce Muffins</a></strong></p>
<p>Well Plated</p><p>Simply layer yogurt, leftover cranberry sauce, golden honey, and your granola of choice, and boom! You have an insanely delicious, quick breakfast or snack for any time of the day.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://www.wellplated.com/leftover-cranberry-sauce-parfaits" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Leftover Cranberry Sauce Parfaits;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Leftover Cranberry Sauce Parfaits</a></strong></p>
<p>Noble Pig</p><p>Leftover turkey and cranberry sauce join forces to create next-level deliciousness with these Leftover Turkey-Cranberry Monte Cristo Sandwiches. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://noblepig.com/2013/11/leftover-turkey-cranberry-monte-cristo-sandwiches/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Leftover Turkey-Cranberry Monte Cristo Sandwiches;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Leftover Turkey-Cranberry Monte Cristo Sandwiches</a></strong></p>
<p>Do yourself a favor and top your pancakes with maple syrup and cranberry sauce. You're welcome!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://www.5dollardinners.com/thanksgiving-leftovers-recipe-sweet-potato-pancakes-with-maple-cranberry-syrup/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Sweet Potato Pancakes with Cranberry Maple Syrup;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Sweet Potato Pancakes with Cranberry Maple Syrup</a></strong></p>
<p>Oh Sweet Basil</p><p>Meet the platonic ideal of the day-after-Thanksgiving sandwich. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://www.ohsweetbasil.com/ultimate-leftover-turkey-club.html" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:The Ultimate Leftover Turkey Club;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">The Ultimate Leftover Turkey Club</a></strong></p>
<p>Recipe Runner</p><p>Creative cooks, listen up! Take all of your leftovers and create something new, which is exactly what you can do when you make this pizza.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://reciperunner.com/turkey-cranberry-bbq-sauce-pizza/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Turkey and Cranberry BBQ Sauce Pizza;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Turkey and Cranberry BBQ Sauce Pizza</a></strong></p>
<p>Kitchen Nostalgia</p><p>You need to make this sandwich with your leftover cranberry sauce. Toasted bread is spread with cream cheese and cranberry sauce and sprinkled with red chili pepper<em> f</em>lakes to add a little kick and a nice touch of warmth. It all gets tops with leftover turkey. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://www.kitchennostalgia.com/bread/turkey_sandwich_cranberry_cream_cheese.html" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Cranberry Cream Cheese Turkey Sandwich;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Cranberry Cream Cheese Turkey Sandwich</a></strong></p>
<p>Half Baked Harvest</p><p>Also known as the ultimate Thanksgiving Leftover Melt.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://www.halfbakedharvest.com/turkey-smashed-avocado-cranberry-brie-mashed-potato-waffle-melts/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Turkey, Smashed Avocado, Cranberry, Brie and Mashed Potato Waffle Melt;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Turkey, Smashed Avocado, Cranberry, Brie and Mashed Potato Waffle Melt</a></strong></p>

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