Recipe Using Jellied Cranberry Sauce

15 Delicious Things to Do With Leftover Cranberry Sauce

Not Just for Spreading on Sandwiches

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.

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.
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.
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.
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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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.
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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.
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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.
Diana Rattray

This baked French toast casserole is an excellent make-ahead breakfast and is easily adaptable to including cranberry sauce. Simply replace the blueberries in the recipe with leftover cranberry sauce, layering it with bread cubes on top of an easy homemade syrup. This soaks in an egg mixture overnight, for dusting in the morning with cinnamon sugar and baking until puffed up and golden brown.

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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.
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.
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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.
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.

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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.
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.
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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.