Easy Holiday Recipe #3: Cranberry Glazed Veggie Stir-Fry

The holidays are magical, but they can also leave your refrigerator packed with random vegetables and that half-used jar of cranberry sauce sitting on the shelf. Instead of letting those beautiful ingredients go to waste, what if we told you there's a way to transform them into something extraordinary? Enter our Cranberry Glazed Veggie Stir-Fry: a vibrant, nutritious dish that proves leftovers can be just as exciting as the main event.

At The Hungry People Corporation, we believe that every ingredient has potential, and every meal is an opportunity to nourish both body and soul. This recipe embodies that philosophy perfectly. It's quick enough for your busiest holiday moments, delicious enough to serve to guests, and sustainable enough to make your heart feel as good as your taste buds.

Why This Recipe Matters

Food waste is one of the biggest challenges our communities face, especially during the holiday season. According to recent studies, Americans waste nearly 40% of their food supply, with fresh produce being the most commonly discarded items. When we create delicious meals from ingredients that might otherwise be forgotten, we're not just saving money: we're practicing the kind of mindful consumption that can feed more people with less waste.

This Cranberry Glazed Veggie Stir-Fry takes whatever vegetables you have on hand and transforms them with the sweet-tart magic of cranberry sauce. Whether it's Brussels sprouts from Christmas dinner, carrots from your holiday roast, or bell peppers from last week's grocery run, this dish welcomes them all with open arms.

The Magic of Cranberry Glaze

Cranberry sauce isn't just for turkey anymore. When heated and thinned slightly, it becomes an incredible glaze that adds both sweetness and acidity to vegetables. The natural pectin in cranberries helps the sauce cling to your vegetables, creating a glossy coating that looks as beautiful as it tastes.

The beauty of this glaze lies in its versatility. Got whole berry cranberry sauce? Perfect. Using the jellied version? That works too. Even homemade cranberry relish with orange zest will create something spectacular. Each variation brings its own personality to the dish, making this recipe endlessly adaptable to your family's preferences.

Ingredients You'll Need

For the Stir-Fry:

• 4-6 cups mixed vegetables (whatever you have on hand)

• 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 inch fresh ginger, grated (or 1 teaspoon ground ginger)

• 1/4 cup chopped nuts (almonds, pecans, or walnuts work beautifully)

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Fresh herbs for garnish (parsley, cilantro, or green onions)

For the Cranberry Glaze:

• 1/2 cup cranberry sauce (any variety)

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari

• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)

• 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup

• 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional but recommended)

• Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Best Vegetable Combinations:

• Brussels sprouts + carrots + bell peppers

• Broccoli + snap peas + mushrooms

• Cauliflower + green beans + zucchini

• Sweet potatoes + asparagus + onions

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep Your Vegetables (5 minutes) Start by washing and cutting your vegetables into bite-sized pieces. The key to a great stir-fry is having everything roughly the same size so it cooks evenly. Harder vegetables like carrots and Brussels sprouts should be cut smaller than softer ones like zucchini or bell peppers.

If you're using leftover roasted vegetables, you're already ahead of the game. Just cut them to size and set aside: they'll need less cooking time since they're already tender.

Make the Glaze (2 minutes) In a small bowl, whisk together the cranberry sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, honey, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes if using. The mixture should be smooth and pourable. If your cranberry sauce is particularly thick, add a tablespoon of water to thin it out.

Taste and adjust: want it sweeter? Add more honey. Prefer it tangier? A splash more vinegar will do the trick. This glaze should balance sweet, salty, and acidic flavors in perfect harmony.

Cook the Vegetables (8-10 minutes) Heat your largest skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the oil and swirl to coat the pan. Start with the hardest vegetables first: things like carrots, Brussels sprouts, or cauliflower need the most time to become tender.

Add garlic and ginger after about 2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning. The aromatics should be fragrant and golden, not brown. This is where the magic begins: that sizzling sound and incredible smell that tells you something delicious is happening.

Add your remaining vegetables in order of cooking time needed. Soft vegetables like zucchini or pre-cooked leftovers go in during the last 2-3 minutes.

Bring It All Together (2 minutes) Push all the vegetables to one side of the pan and pour the cranberry glaze into the empty space. Let it bubble and thicken for about 30 seconds, then toss everything together until the vegetables are beautifully coated with that glossy, gorgeous glaze.

Add your nuts in the last minute: they should warm through but stay crispy. Remove from heat and garnish with fresh herbs.

Serving Suggestions That Shine

This versatile dish plays well with almost anything. Serve it over brown rice or quinoa for a complete meal, or use it as a stunning side dish for your holiday table. It's equally at home next to roasted chicken or as the star of a vegetarian feast.

For a heartier version, add some protein. Leftover turkey or chicken works beautifully, as do chickpeas, tofu, or even a handful of cooked lentils. The cranberry glaze has enough personality to tie everything together beautifully.

Make It a Complete Meal:

• Serve over coconut rice with a sprinkle of toasted coconut

• Toss with cooked pasta for a unique holiday mac and cheese alternative

• Stuff into warm pita bread with a dollop of Greek yogurt

• Use as a topping for baked sweet potatoes

Storage and Meal Prep Magic

This stir-fry keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for up to four days, making it perfect for meal prep or planned leftovers. The flavors actually improve overnight as the cranberry glaze continues to infuse the vegetables.

To reheat, use a skillet over medium heat rather than the microwave. This helps restore the vegetables' texture and keeps the glaze from becoming too thick. Add a splash of water or broth if needed.

You can also prep components ahead of time. Cut vegetables and store them in the refrigerator for up to two days. The glaze can be made up to a week in advance and stored in a covered container.

Beyond the Recipe: Building Community

Every time we transform potential food waste into something beautiful, we're practicing the values that drive our mission at The Hungry People Corporation. This recipe isn't just about using up leftovers: it's about changing our relationship with food and resources.

Consider making a double batch and sharing with neighbors, especially elderly community members who might appreciate a healthy, delicious meal during the busy holiday season. It's gestures like these that build the kind of connected, caring communities where everyone has access to good food.

When we cook with intention and creativity, we're modeling the kind of resourcefulness that can help address food insecurity in our communities. Every meal made from ingredients that might have been wasted is a small victory against hunger and environmental damage.

This Cranberry Glazed Veggie Stir-Fry proves that with a little creativity and the right technique, even the humblest ingredients can become something extraordinary. It's fast enough for busy weeknights, elegant enough for company, and flexible enough to work with whatever your refrigerator offers up.

Most importantly, it reminds us that good food doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. Sometimes the most satisfying meals come from making the most of what we already have. In a world where food waste and food insecurity coexist, recipes like this one help us imagine a different way forward: one delicious bite at a time.