Crazy for Cranberries

Orange 'n' Jellied Cranberry Sauce Stacks

Serve that simple can 'o cranberry sauce topped with orange slices to take this easy Thanksgiving side from familiar to fabulous. For extra flair, garnish with fresh cranberries and a mint sprig, and make sure to use an orange with the same diameter as the canned sauce.

Recipe: Orange 'n' Jellied Cranberry Sauce Stacks

Grandma Erma's Spirited Cranberry Sauce

Homemade cranberry sauce is delicious on its own, but it's even better when infused with the festive flavors of port and orange liqueur. Reviewer Nancy recalls, "This cranberry sauce is outstanding! I made four batches this Thanksgiving and placed the sauce in jelly jars and gave them away. Many, many compliments, and many of my friends used theirs over warm brie."

Recipe: Grandma Erma's Spirited Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry-Glazed Sweet Potatoes

No holiday table is complete without a cranberry-sweet potato combo, plus this duo is good for your stomach and your overall health. Both cranberries and sweet potatoes are great sources of vitamins A and C and complement meaty main dishes well. Plus, they're super easy to prepare! Six ingredients and 30 minutes are all you need to get these potatoes on the table–and all the cooking is done in the microwave.

Recipe: Cranberry-Glazed Sweet Potatoes

Fresh Cranberry Muffins

Muffins make great breakfasts or grab-and-go snacks, and these cranberry goodies capture the delicious flavors of the holiday season. To breeze through your holiday cooking, bake the muffins ahead of time and store in the freezer. Try substituting blueberries and lemon rind for a fresh twist on this recipe.

Recipe: Fresh Cranberry Muffins

Red Cabbage, Cranberry, and Apple Slaw

Combining sweet apple slices with tart cranberries makes this slaw a great twist on the classic cabbage version, and it's perfect for entertaining. Reviewer Gilblj notes, "I have served this at everything from fancy dinner parties to summer potlucks, and it's always a hit. A bit time-consuming to slice the cabbage–just start with presliced, bagged cabbage. I generally throw in a few extra apples, too."

Recipe: Red Cabbage, Cranberry, and Apple Slaw

Caramelized Onion-Cranberry-Cream Cheese Bites

Make the Caramelized Onion-Cranberry Compote up to a day ahead using fresh or frozen cranberries and serve this creamy dip as an appetizer on whole grain crackers. It's the perfect bite-sized dish to serve throughout the season at various holiday gatherings.

Recipe: Caramelized Onion-Cranberry-Cream Cheese Bites

Cranberry-Maple Butter

This homemade "butter" adds rich flavor to breads, muffins, and more, and can be made with fresh or frozen berries. You can store it in the fridge for up to 2 months, so go ahead and mix up a batch to enjoy throughout the holiday season. For a colorful gift, fill a small glass jar with the butter, tie a ribbon around the top, and attach the recipe card.

Recipe: Cranberry-Maple Butter

Cranberry Spinach Salad with Gorgonzola

Five ingredients and 15 minutes are all you need to prepare this delicious salad. The toasted pecans lend a rich, sweet flavor that balances out the tart dried cranberries. If you can't find lemon-flavored olive oil, we've included instructions on making your own.

Recipe: Cranberry Spinach Salad with Gorgonzola

More Holiday Side Dishes

Update your menu of holiday favorites with a few fresh dishes from our holiday table.

• Festive Fruit Salads featuring Strawberry-Orange Salad (left)
• Dress Up Your Stuffing
On-the-Go Holiday Sides
• Heartwarming Breads
• Cozy Holiday Casseroles