Cranberries: A Bright (and Tasty) Addition to the Great Outdoors

By John Oberhoffner

Now that the warmer weather is upon us, so is the season of barbequed meals shared with loved ones. But why fire up the grill over meals you’re no longer fired up by? The same old barbecue recipes that have stood the test of time may need some revitalizing or a new twist to rejuvenate the grilled food palate. Believe it or not, cranberries might just be the fuse that ignites the new flavour explosion you’ve been looking for.

You read that right: cranberries!

So many people have relegated this red berry to the gelatinous cylinder of sauce used only at Thanksgiving or Christmas. Woefully, they have never gone beyond that indoor oven cuisine from the frosts of fall and winter. They have rarely, if ever, incorporated this tart and tangy taste intensifier into their spring and summer menus.

There are many reasons why cranberries are a good option. Healthwise, the benefits of cranberry (or its powdered supplements in pill or capsule form) have long been known to help eliminate UTIs by preventing the bacteria which cause urinary tract infections from adhering to the bladder wall. 

That’s not all. Studies have placed cranberries in a good light for reducing fasting glucose levels and improving periodontal health in subjects with Type II diabetes. It’s also high in fibre, which helps with cholesterol and glucose levels. Other advantages to consuming cranberries include anti-inflammatory and additional antimicrobial benefits. For more information and a deeper understanding of cranberry research, visit https://cranberryinstitute.org/.

Cranberries are available year-round. Harvested fresh in the fall, they freeze exceptionally well, and dried cranberries last a long time in the pantry, ready to be pulled out at any time of the year. 

But back to the barbecue. Add those cranberries to your favourite barbecue sauce or glaze to add a new dimension of tanginess to your chicken. Try them in your fall-off-the-bone bourbon rib recipe. Take the crock pot outdoors for cranberry BBQ meatballs. Grilled vegetables work well with a goat cheese and cranberry-based topping. Add cranberries to any combination of spicy, sweet, maple, chipotle, or downright smoky set of spices and herbs, and you’ll have a recipe wafting over to the neighbours that will make their mouths water. You might want to make extra.

Any salad can be boring after a time, but using cranberries in a feta, apple, and mixed greens plate can up the game. Cranberry vinaigrette is a refreshing and healthy alternative to the heavier dressings out of the bottle in the fridge. Even the old ambrosia or jellied salad recipe can be given a tasty makeover by adding cranberries to the mix, as a side dish or dessert. Quick and easy, these dishes are perfect for the days when you want a changeup without turning food prep into an all-day affair.

And what barbecue isn’t complete without beverages? For the non-drinking bunch, consider a cranberry spritzer, cranberry and ginger ale with a lime, or make a simple cranberry punch on a hot day for friends and family. For those who want something stronger, try a cranberry-jalapeno martini, or add cranberries as a twist to a Moscow Mule, a rum mimosa, sangria, or a Cosmopolitan. For the do-it-yourself aficionados, try making cranberry-infused vodka, gin, tequila, or bourbon. If you dream it, you can do it.

So, the next time you get to the grill, don’t forget to bring out the cranberries. These radiant red orbs aren’t just for the cold days—take them outside for a bright, tasty, and healthy update to your open-air cuisine! Try for yourself in this delightfully fresh salad that is the perfect complement to your barbequed meal.