One can. Zero fumbles. Game day just found its secret weapon.

Football season is almost here, which means it’s time to talk tailgates and starting lineups.

Burgers. Wings. Ribs. The game-day classics have earned their roster spots, but this season, there’s an unexpected ingredient that may become the MVP.

Cranberry sauce.

Long associated with turkey and Thanksgiving, cranberry sauce has a whole lot more game beyond the holiday table. Its sweet-tart flavour can transform burger sauce, caramelize into a sticky glaze and bring something bright to the rich, smoky flavours of a great tailgate spread.

Three culinary pros put that sweet-tart potential into play with Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce, taking some of football season’s biggest food favourites in delicious new directions.

First up, MasterChef Canada runner-up and Food Network Canada host Andy Hay’s Jalapeño Cranberry Smash Burgers. Andy mixes the cranberry sauce directly into the beef patties, before the patties, then he gives it a second appearance in a creamy sauce with mayonnaise, pickled jalapeños and pickle brine.

Consider ketchup officially benched.

Food Network Canada’s Rebel Without a Kitchen host and BBQ expert Matt Basile goes big with Cranberry Gochujang Grilled Korean-Style Beef Ribs, combining the signature taste of Ocean Spray’s cranberry sauce with gochujang, soy, sesame, garlic and ginger for a sweet, savoury glaze that caramelizes beautifully.

He even brings cranberry sauce into the kimchi slaw, pairing it with cabbage, carrot, sesame and rice vinegar for a crunchy, tangy side that gives those rich ribs exactly the contrast they need.

Then there are the wings.

Female grillmaster Kara Quigley gives the game-day staple a Canadian spin with Cranberry-Maple Chicken Wings, turning cranberry sauce, maple, brown sugar, Worcestershire and garlic into a sticky BBQ sauce that caramelizes around smoky grilled wings. The sauce is so good, Kara says you could drink it.

Three tailgate classics. Three completely different plays from the same familiar can.

With kickoff around the corner, consider this your excuse to make an audible on the usual game-day menu — and bring cranberry sauce off the Thanksgiving sidelines a little early.

1. Jalapeño Cranberry Smash Burgers

Click here for the full recipe

Burgers

1 lb lean ground beef
2 tbsp finely chopped Ocean Spray Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce
Salt and pepper

Cranberry Jalapeño Burger Sauce

1/2 cup mayonnaise
3 tbsp Ocean Spray Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce
2 tbsp finely chopped pickled jalapeños
Splash of pickle brine
Black pepper

2. Cranberry Gochujang grilled Korean-style Beef Ribs

Click here for the full recipe

Serves 2

Ingredients

Beef Ribs

4 beef Korean-style cut beef short ribs
Salt
Pepper

Ocean Spray 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

3. Grilled Chicken Wings With A Cranberry Maple BBQ Sauce

Click here for the full recipe

Ingredients

Cranberry Sauce (@oceanspraycanada , Jellied Can, 1/2 cup)
Maple Syrup (1/4 cup )
Brown Sugar (2 Tbsp)
Worcestershire Sauce (2 Tbsp)
Olive Oil (2 Tbsp)
Lemon Juice (2 Tbsp)
Mustard (1 Tbsp)
Ketchup (1/4 cup)
Garlic (4 cloves, minced)
Bay Leaves (2 leaves)
Salt (2 tsp)
Pepper (1 tsp)

This is a community-partnered piece. While this is a paid partnership, we only partner with organizations and businesses that align with our values and mission. Thank you for supporting the businesses and events that make our community thrive.