I tried cranberry sauce nine different ways – from burgers and wings to whipped feta and dessert – and discovered just how versatile this familiar favourite can be.
When I think of cranberry sauce, my mind immediately goes to Thanksgiving. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and that sweet and tart cranberry on the side. It’s a classic for a reason.
But recently, I got to experience a whole new side of cranberry sauce and as someone who loves to cook, eat and discover new flavour combinations, this was right up my alley.
Three Canadian culinary pros – Andy Hay, Matt Basile and Kara Quigley – each took a can of Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce and created three completely different recipes. Nine dishes later, I was amazed by just how many ways you can use one familiar ingredient.
And yes, I tried them all!
Andy’s Whipped Feta Cranberry Dip was an immediate favourite. Creamy feta and cream cheese with cranberry sauce, honey and chili flakes, served with warm pita? I could happily make a meal out of that. His Jalapeño Cranberry Smash Burgers were another surprise, with cranberry mixed right into the beef and again into a spicy, creamy burger sauce.
Then there were Matt’s Gochujang Beef Ribs with Cranberry-Kimchi Slaw and cranberry-glazed pork chops, which showed just how well cranberry’s sweet-tart flavour works with smoky, savoury and spicy dishes.
Kara kept the surprises coming with Cranberry-Maple Chicken Wings (a must try!), a cranberry salad dressing and, possibly my favourite plot twist, Crispy Cranberry Cream Cheese Wontons.
And because I will always save room for dessert, Andy’s Grilled Peach Cranberry Sundae definitely deserves a mention too. Grilled peaches, vanilla ice cream and warm cranberry sauce? Yes, please.
What I loved most was that none of the dishes felt repetitive. Cranberry sauce became a dip, glaze, dressing, burger sauce and dessert … and each one tasted completely different.
Will it still have a place on my Thanksgiving table? Absolutely.
But now it might have a permanent spot in my pantry too.
Whipped Feta Cranberry Dip (Click here for all of Andy’s recipes)
Ingredients
- 8 oz feta
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 3–4 tbsp Ocean Spray Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Black pepper
Topping
- Warmed Ocean Spray Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce
- Honey
- Chili flakes
- Fresh cracked pepper
Cranberry Gochujang Grilled Korean-style Beef Ribs (Click here for all of Matt’s recipes)
Ingredients
Beef Ribs
- 4 Korean-style cut beef short ribs
- Salt
- Pepper
Cranberry Gochujang Glaze
- 1/2 can Ocean Spray jellied Cranberry Sauce
- 4 tbsp gochujang
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp seasoned rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, grated or minced
- 1 tsp grated ginger
Kimchi Slaw
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
- ½ cup chopped kimchi
- 1 carrot, julienned
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp chopped cilantro
- 2 tbsp Ocean Spray whole berry cranberry sauce
Garnish
- 2 tbsp chopped spicy peanuts
- 2 tbsp toasted black and white sesame seeds
- 2 green onions thinly sliced
Crispy Ocean Spray Cranberry Cream Cheese Wontons (Click here for all of Kara’s recipes)
Ingredients
- Wonton wrappers
- Ocean Spray Cranberry sauce
- Cream cheese
- Icing sugar
- Vanilla
- Vegetable oil
