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    Home » Recipes » Breakfast

    Leftover Cranberry Sauce Oatmeal Breakfast

    Published: Nov 29, 2019 · Modified: Feb 9, 2024 by Amy Sandidge · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe

    If you are wondering what to do with that leftover cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, I have just the recipe for you. Take a look at this Leftover Cranberry Sauce Oatmeal Breakfast. It is so simple to make and is the perfect breakfast after that big holiday meal!

    What Makes This Oatmeal So Good?

    If you have not had cranberries in your oatmeal before, let me just tell you that you need to! I love the sweet and tart flavor they add.

    If you have leftover cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, there is a good chance you have been overeating the day before. Oatmeal is a great way to get back on track.

    This breakfast is really simple to make. I used regular oats, and even with that it took under 10 minutes, and very little of that was hands-on.

    It only uses 7 ingredients and 3 of those are for toppings and optional. All ingredients are really simple to find.

    Ingredients

    • Milk- I love to use milk for a creamier oatmeal. For this recipe, I used unsweetened vanilla almond milk.
    • Oats- I used regular oats, but if you prefer quick cooking, you can use those too.
    • Leftover Cranberry Sauce- If you are looking for a great cranberry sauce recipe, I have just one. It is loaded with tasty cranberry orange flavor and is so good! If not, you can also use leftover canned cranberry sauce as well.
    • Salt- Just a touch.
    • Maple Syrup- I use this for a sweetener, you could use honey or even brown sugar if you prefer.
    • Butter- This isn't necessary, but a little pat goes really well with this oatmeal.
    • Pecans- These aren't necessary, but really good with the cranberry sauce and maple syrup.
    Leftover Cranberry Sauce Oatmeal Breakfast with maple syrup being poured over it.

    How To Make

    1. Heat your milk and salt over medium heat. Once it is boiling, add in the oats. Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to cook until the oats are tender.
    2. Then just before it is done cooking, add in the cranberry sauce. Mix to combine and heat it all the way through.
    3. Remove from heat and add to your bowls.
    4. The oatmeal is really good on its own, but I like to top it with pecans, a pat of butter, and maple syrup. This is the ultimate combo, in my mind!
    Oatmeal cooking in a small saucepan.
    Cranberry oatmeal cooking in a small saucepan.

    Notes

    • I made my oatmeal with steel-cut oats. If you choose to use quick-cooking oats, make sure and reduce your cooking time as directed on the package. Quick-cooking oats cook much faster and you do not want to end up with mush.
    • If you double this recipe, the oatmeal makes a great meal prep. It is easy to reheat and makes a delicious breakfast on the go.
    • You don't have to use the maple syrup, butter, and pecans I recommended. This is my preferred method, but it is up to you to enjoy the oatmeal how you like!
    • If you have leftovers, this oatmeal will hold well in the fridge for at least 5 days!
    Leftover Cranberry Sauce Oatmeal Breakfast topped with maple syrup, butter and pecans.

    Other Cranberry Recipes

    • Cranberry Orange Sauce
    • Swirled cranberry bread
    • Layered white chocolate mousse and cranberry sauce
    • Cranberry Orange Mocktail
    • Cranberry Orange Brioche Star Bread
    Woman pouring maple syrup over cranberry oatmeal.

    Leftover Cranberry Sauce Oatmeal

    Amy Sandidge
    This is such a great recipe for that leftover sauce. I would even make sauce again, after Thanksgiving and use it for this recipe. It was that good.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 2 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 12 minutes mins
    Course Breakfast
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ½ cup milk I used nonfat vanilla almond milk, you can use any type you choose.
    • pinch salt
    • ¾ cup regular oats you can use quick cooking if you prefer, just reduce cooking time.
    • ¼ cup cranberry sauce
    • pecans optional, I used about 2 tablespoons per bowl.
    • maple syrup optional, I used about 1-2 tablespoons per bowl.
    • butter just a pat, optional as well.

    Instructions
     

    • Bring milk to a bowl over medium heat. Add salt and oats. Mix occasionally and cook for 3-4 minutes until most of the liquid has cooked out. Last, add in cranberry sauce and mix well while continuing to cook.
      Remove from heat and add to your bowls.
      I topped mine with pecans and maple syrup. The oatmeal is already sweetened from the cranberry sauce, so it won't take much of the syrup.
      Now, sit back and enjoy. You deserve it!
    Keyword cranberry oatmeal, cranberry orange, cranberry orange oatmel
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    • Breakfast
    • Skillet
    • Oats
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    Reader Interactions

    5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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    Hi, I'm Amy! I am a culinary school graduate creating a comprehensive collection of recipes, with a focus on incorporating whole grains. My goal is to craft dishes that resonate with the whole family. 

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