Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (2024)

Fresh cranberry recipes for the 2023 cranberry harvest ~ from muffins, cakes and pies, to jam, jelly, and meatballs for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and beyond.

Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (1)

when will we see fresh cranberries in the supermarkets in 2023?

They’re hitting the stores now!! Fresh cranberries are so special we only see them briefly each year ~ only in stores for about 6-8 weeks. Of course you can find frozen cranberries all year round, but true cranberry fanatics (raising hand) get super excited about the tart vibrant FRESH fruit every year.

This year’s crop is bigger than the past few years ~ yay! But less than 5% of the cranberries grown in the US are served up fresh, the rest get juiced or dried. The 2023 crop is being harvested right now and the berries will be hitting the shelves in week 1 and 2 of October. Ask your produce manager if you don’t see them.

Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (2)

did you know?

  • cranberries are one of many fruits native to North America (along with blueberries and Concord grapes, for example) They grow in bogs in the northern regions of the United States and Canada.
  • only about 3% of the annual cranberry crop is sold fresh, the rest gets canned and bottled.
  • fresh cranberries can bounce! This is why they are sometimes called “bounceberries.” In the past, growers would bounce them to determine if they were ripe; a fully ripe cranberry can bounce up to 4 inches high.
  • cranberries are insanely healthy ~ they’re low calorie, high fiber, high in vitamin C and cancer fighting antioxidants.
  • fresh cranberries can reduce the need for antibiotics in women with UTIs due to their high levels of proanthocyanidins, which can prevent bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract walls.
  • yes you CAN eat cranberries raw! Pulse them into a relish, or blend up into a super nutritious smoothie.
  • cranberries freeze beautifully, just throw the bags in the freezer, they’ll keep all the way ’til next cranberry season.
  • fresh cranberries are good for so much more than sauce…just scroll down and see!
Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (3)

cranberry health benefits?

Cranberries are considered a superfood because of their many proven and potential health benefits!

  1. Antioxidant Rich: Cranberries are loaded with antioxidants, which protect cells from damage.
  2. Urinary Tract Health: They help prevent urinary tract infections by inhibiting bacterial adhesion.
  3. Heart Health: Cranberries can lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and improve cholesterol levels.
  4. Digestive Aid: They’re a good source of fiber, aiding digestion and promoting a healthy gut.
  5. Cancer Prevention: Some studies suggest cranberries may inhibit cancer cell growth.
  6. Anti-Inflammatory: They have anti-inflammatory properties beneficial for conditions like arthritis.
  7. Oral Health: Cranberries inhibit harmful mouth bacteria, reducing gum disease and cavities.
  8. Weight Management: Their fiber content promotes a feeling of fullness, aiding weight management.
  9. Skin Health: Cranberry antioxidants protect skin from UV damage and pollutants.
Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (4)

our favorite fresh cranberry recipes

This is what you do with those bags of crimson gems you score in October through December. And then you keep on making them throughout the rest of the year with frozen berries!

  • Cranberry Breakfast Recipes
  • Cranberry Dessert Recipes
  • Cranberry Preserve and Sauce Recipes
  • Savory Cranberry Recipes
Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (5)

CRANBERRY RECIPES FOR BREAKFAST

Fresh Cranberry Muffins

Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (6)

Cranberry Orange Cake

Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (7)

Cranberry Cleanse Smoothie

Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (8)

Cranberry Walnut Wild Rice Porridge (Mahnomin Porridge)

Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (9)

Cranberry Breakfast Cake

Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (10)

The BEST Cranberry Orange Bread

Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (11)

Fresh Cranberry White Chocolate Scones

Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (12)
Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (13)

CRANBERRY DESSERT RECIPES

Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies

Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (14)

Chocolate Cake with Cranberry Buttercream

Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (15)

Cranberry Apple Crisp

Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (16)

Cranberry Gingersnap Pie

Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (17)

Cranberry Crumble Tart

Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (18)

No Churn Cranberry Ice Cream

Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (19)

White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (20)

Cranberry Whipped Cream

Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (21)

Fresh Cranberry Bars

Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (22)

Cranberry Walnut Shortbread Bars

Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (23)

Scandinavian Rice Pudding with Cranberries

Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (24)
Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (25)

CRANBERRY PRESERVES & SAUCES

Maple Cranberry Butter in 15 minutes!

Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (26)

Hot Pepper Cranberry Jam

Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (27)

Easy Mulled Cranberry Jelly

Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (28)

Cranberry Relish with Horseradish and Sour Cream

Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (29)

Spiced Rum Cranberry Sauce

Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (30)

Easy Crock Pot Cranberry Butter

Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (31)

Microwave Cranberry Curd

Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (32)
Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (33)

SAVORY CRANBERRY RECIPES

Cranberry Glazed Pork Roast

Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (34)

Cranberry Cornbread

Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (35)

Brats with Spicy Cranberry Relish

Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (36)

Cranberry co*cktail Meatballs

Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (37)

Baked Brie with Maple Roasted Cranberries

Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (38)
Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (39)

fresh cranberry faqs

When can you find cranberries in the grocery store?

  • During cranberry season (mid September through December) you’ll find them fresh, in plastic bags, in the produce section. Every store locates them differently, so ask if you don’t spot them. You can usually find frozen cranberries year round in the freezer aisle.Add image

What is the best way to store fresh cranberries?

  • They’re pretty hardy so they’ll last up to a month in the refrigerator. They can be kept in their original packaging or in a breathable container. Do not wash them until you’re ready to use them.

How can I freeze my cranberries?

  • Rinse and dry them thoroughly. Lay them out in a single layer on a baking tray and put the tray in the freezer until the berries are frozen solid. Transfer to a heavy duty freezer zip lock bag and press out any excess air before sealing. You can also simply throw bags of fresh cranberries right into your freezer.

Can I eat fresh cranberries raw?

  • Yes! Contrary to popular belief, you can eat raw cranberries, although they are very tart.

Can I substitute dried cranberries for fresh cranberries in recipes?

  • It really depends on the recipe. You can substitute dried cranberries in some baked goods, but in most fresh cranberry recipes I would stick to the fresh.

Can I use fresh cranberries to make homemade cranberry juice?

  • Yes, you can make homemade cranberry juice by simmering fresh cranberries with water and sugar, then straining the mixture. You can adjust the sweetness and dilution to your preference.

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Fresh Cranberry Recipes for 2023! (2024)

FAQs

How many cranberries are needed to make one can? ›

The average number of cranberries used per can of sauce is 200. If you lay out all the cans of sauce consumed in a year from end to end, it would stretch 3,385 miles.

How many bags of cranberries for 10 people? ›

One 12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries yields about 2 1/4 cups of cranberry sauce, which should be enough for about 8 to 10 people, Hartigan says, adding that you can half that amount of cranberries when making a cranberry-apple or -orange sauce since the alternative fruit will bulk up each serving.

How long will fresh cranberries last in a jar? ›

How Long Fresh Cranberries Will Last. If stored correctly, fresh cranberries will last in the refrigerator for three to four weeks. If you opted to freeze them, they'll keep well for up to a year. When frozen, you can use them straight from the freezer without defrosting.

Why should cranberries not be eaten raw? ›

Is it safe to eat cranberries raw? Cranberries are generally considered safe whether they are cooked or raw. However, because of their notoriously bitter, sharp taste, most people prefer not to eat them raw or unsweetened. This bitterness is due to the high tannin content of cranberries.

Do fresh cranberries need to be washed before cooking? ›

Avoid cranberries that look bruised or shriveled. Before use, rinse fresh or frozen cranberries and discard any that are damaged. It is not necessary to rinse before freezing, and there is also no need to clean dried cranberries. When cooking, heat cranberries just until they pop.

Should fresh cranberries be refrigerated? ›

Fresh cranberries are usually good stored in the refrigerator for two weeks. If kept longer, you will find a gradual deterioration of quality with more soft or bruised berries. Berries can be stored in the original packaging in the refrigerator crisper for up to four weeks.

Can you eat too many raw cranberries? ›

Cranberries also contain soluble fiber. For this reason, excessive consumption of cranberries may cause digestive symptoms, such as diarrhea. On the other hand, cranberry juice contains virtually no fiber and is usually diluted with other fruit juices — and sweetened with added sugar ( 3 ).

How many fresh cranberries should I eat a day? ›

HOW MUCH CRANBERRIES TO EAT DAILY? Studies confirming the health-promoting properties of cranberries have typically used doses of 100-300 g of fresh cranberries, equivalent to 7-10 g of dried cranberries, and 100-150 ml of 100% cranberry juice.

Should you wash fresh cranberries before freezing? ›

Fresh cranberries freeze nicely. Freeze cranberries, without pre-washing, in their original plastic bag for up to one year. Buy extra bags of fresh cranberries and freeze them for year-round use.

How many cups in a bag of fresh cranberries? ›

One 12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries will yield about 3 cups whole or 2-1/2 cups chopped.

How much is 3 cups of cranberries? ›

One 12-ounce bag of cranberries equals 3 cups.

What happens if you cook cranberries too long? ›

If your cranberry sauce is too thick, it's most likely overcooked. When you cook cranberries (or any berries), they burst, releasing pectin—a natural thickener. The key to a perfect consistency is to allow some but not all of the cranberries to split open—something you'll achieve with less time on the stove.

How to decorate with fresh cranberries? ›

Fill a glass container with water, add a few cuttings from the tree or other greenery, a handful of fresh cranberries and a floating candle. Presto: you've got a great centrepiece that's a cinch to make and oh, so festive!

How do you store fresh picked cranberries? ›

Cranberries can be stored in the refrigerator up to three (3) months if they are kept in their original plastic packaging or in an airtight, sealed container. Left in the open air, at room temperature, cranberries quickly lose their freshness.

Can you just eat raw cranberries? ›

Yes, raw cranberries are safe to consume raw, but you probably don't want to eat them that way. "Cranberries are safe to eat raw. However, usually they are cooked and have sugar added because of the bitter and sharp taste they have when raw," says Kelly West Keyser, a registered dietitian in Alabama.

How to take the bitterness out of fresh cranberries? ›

Anything from a drizzle of honey to agave, maple syrup, or molasses will also fare well. After a few minutes of maceration, the sour fruit juices will mix with the sugar and alleviate some of the cranberries' natural tartness.

Do cranberries need to be soaked? ›

You can enjoy dried cranberries straight out of the package, add them to salads or trail mix, or use them as a topping for oatmeal without the need for soaking.

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