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You are here: Home / Gluten-Free / Healthy Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Healthy Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Last updated on September 7, 2018. Originally published November 13, 2017 14 Comments

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This Homemade Healthy Cranberry Sauce Recipe has only 7 ingredients, is ready in 15 minutes and has NO refined sugar! Using apple cider and orange juice gives it a rich & spicy yet bright and citrusy flavor that is out-of-this-world delicious! It’s even best when made ahead of time! Gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free & paleo-friendly!

Overhead view of a bowl of Healthy Cranberry Sauce

Hello and welcome to another installment of Homemade Holidays here at JoyFoodSunshine! Today I’m sharing a healthier makeover of one of our family’s must-have holiday side dishes…Healthy Cranberry Sauce!

I already have a homemade cranberry sauce recipe on this site, which I have made more times than I can count!  But that one has quite a bit of sugar and while it’ll always have a special place in my heart, this year I set out to make a healthier version! And oh momma let me tell you this Healthy Cranberry Sauce might be even better than our old family favorite!

Overhead view of a colander with fresh cranberries and cinnamon sticks in it in the making of Healthy Cranberry Sauce

Now you might be a bit skeptical and wonder, does it really taste as good as it’s sugar-laden counterpart? I can honestly say YES! And do you know how I know? I used my husband as a pawn in my recipe testing experimentation {without his knowledge}!

I made this paleo cranberry sauce recipe and casually told my husband, “Hey babe, there’s homemade cranberry sauce in the fridge.” He immediately grabbed a spoon and dove right in {because it’s one of his favorites}. I silently waited for his response…which was, “Your homemade cranberry sauce is the best! It’s so good!”

Jackpot. He had no idea that I had switched up the recipe and actually made this Healthy Cranberry Sauce with orange juie! Since it passed the “Ritch test” with flying colors, I knew I had to share it with all of you!

side view of a bowl of Healthy Cranberry Sauce

Healthy Cranberry Sauce: Substitutions

This recipe is actually fairly versatile, especially considering that it’s made with only 7 ingredients! Here are a few possible substitutions:

  • Apple Cider: Unsweetened apple juice can be used to ensure there is no added sugar and that the recipe is 100% paleo! I suggest adding a pinch of a few other spices if you opt not to use apple cider {think nutmeg and cloves}. This will compensate for the absence of spices in regular apple juice!
  • Orange Juice. This cranberry sauce with orange juice recipe needs a total of 1 cup of liquid. So your options are to make the recipe as written, or tweak the amounts of apple cider and orange juice to your liking. You can even omit the orange juice all together and just use apple cider! However, I love the bright, citrusy flavor it imparts in this recipe! Another option is to omit the apple cider and use 1 cup of orange juice. However you may need to increase the maple syrup or coconut sugar to reach your desired sweetness.
  • Maple Syrup. Honey can be used in place of maple syrup, although it is not vegan!
  • Coconut Sugar. Any granulated sugar works exceptionally well in this recipe! Just be sure to chose a variety that complies with your dietary needs!

overhead view of a bowl of Healthy Cranberry Sauce

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Healthy Cranberry Sauce
5 from 2 votes
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Healthy Cranberry Sauce Recipe

This Homemade Healthy Cranberry Sauce Recipe has only 7 ingredients and NO refined sugar! Using apple cider and orange juice gives it a rich & spicy yet bright and citrusy flavor that is out-of-this-world delicious! Gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free & paleo-friendly! 

Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword cranberry sauce recipe, fresh cranberry sauce, homemade cranberry sauce, paleo cranberry sauce, thanksgiving side dish recipes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Cooling time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 8 Servings
Calories 109.8 kcal
Author Laura

Ingredients

  • 1 12 oz bag of fresh cranberries, rinsed
  • ¼ cup orange juice
  • ¾ cup apple cider or unsweetened apple juice
  • ½ cup pure maple syrup or honey
  • ¼ cup coconut sugar
  • 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
  • pinch of sea salt

Instructions

  1. In a medium sauce-pan, whisk together orange juice, apple cider, maple syrup, and coconut sugar over medium-high heat.
  2. One mixture comes to a boil, whisk in the cinnamon and a pinch of salt.
  3. Pour cranberries into the saucepan and reduce heat to a simmer.
  4. Simmer the mixture uncovered for 10 - 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cranberries begin to pop! (You will literally hear popping noises and the berries will burst open)!
  5. Using a potato masher, gently mash the cranberries to thicken the mixture. The more you mash, the less chunky the sauce will be---your choice! (if you like extra-smooth cranberry sauce, blend the mixture in your Vitamix until smooth).
  6. Simmer for another 3 minutes and then turn off heat but leave the pot uncovered on top of the burner to cool and thicken for 20-30 minutes.
  7. Store in refrigerator in an airtight container!

Recipe Video

Nutrition Facts
Healthy Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Amount Per Serving (0.25 cup)
Calories 109.8
% Daily Value*
Sodium 33.4mg 1%
Potassium 27.2mg 1%
Total Carbohydrates 28.2g 9%
Dietary Fiber 1.5g 6%
Sugars 26.5g
Protein 0.1g 0%
Vitamin C 5%
Calcium 2.7%
Iron 2.3%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

overhead view of a bowl of Healthy Cranberry Sauce with a spoon in it

This Healthy Cranberry Sauce with orange juice will definitely be making an appearance on our table this Thanksgiving! I’m SO thrilled with the way it turned out, and that it fits so nicely with so many diverse dietary needs.

Just please, whatever you do, do not buy that gelatinous canned goop masquerading as cranberry sauce! Making your own is SO easy and so, so much tastier…I promise!

What’s your favorite Thanksgiving tradition or holiday appetizer?

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine! 

This Homemade Healthy Cranberry Sauce Recipe has only 7 ingredients, is ready in 15 minutes and has NO refined sugar! Using apple cider and orange juice gives it a rich & spicy yet bright and citrusy flavor that is out-of-this-world delicious! Gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free & paleo-friendly! #homemade #cranberrysauce #healthycranberrysauce #thanksgiving #christmas #paleo #vegan
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Filed Under: Gluten-Free, Homemade Holidays, Paleo, Recipe Videos, Recipes, Sauces & Condiments, Side Dish, vegan Tagged With: christmas, homemade holidays, paleo, side dish, thanksgiving, vegan

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Previous Post: « Cranberry Goat Cheese Appetizer
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Emily Swanson

    November 13, 2017 at 8:06 am


    Homemade cranberry sauce truly is my favorite. It makes such a good topping for the turkey. and I love that you shared this.

    Reply
  2. Jennifer Bliss

    November 13, 2017 at 1:04 pm

    Oh! This looks delightful!

    Reply
  3. Jenn

    November 13, 2017 at 1:41 pm

    I LOVE cranberry sauce. And once you’ve had homemade, you will never buy the canned stuff again! This looks delicious!

    Reply
  4. Jessica @Small Bites by Jessica

    November 13, 2017 at 4:37 pm

    This looks great! I always forget how easy (and more delicious) homemade cranberry sauce is!

    Reply
  5. Emily Kyle

    November 13, 2017 at 5:23 pm

    I love that this is sweetened with honey rather than other traditional refined sugars! I find fresh cranberries a little too tart to enjoy on their own, so the combo of the sweet honey and orange juice sounds delicious!

    Reply
  6. Lorie

    November 13, 2017 at 6:01 pm

    Apple cider in cranberry sauce sounds amazing. Going to try it out for sure!!!

    Reply
  7. Sarah

    November 13, 2017 at 7:42 pm

    LOVE cranberry sauce! I think it is probably my favorite Thanksgiving food, yes even over pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes, about the only thing that comes close is roasted veggies and sweet potatoes (not the ones swimming in sugar). I just started making them with honey and love it. I’ve never used apple cider making them though, I need to try that.

    Reply
  8. Kristina @ Love & Zest

    November 13, 2017 at 8:04 pm

    This looks and sounds so good! I love homemade cranberry sauce!

    Reply
  9. Taylor Kiser

    November 13, 2017 at 8:29 pm

    Cranberry sauce is a must for Thanksgiving! Love this healthier version!

    Reply
  10. Alisa Fleming

    November 13, 2017 at 8:38 pm

    The recipe I’ve been looking for! I have some cranberries in the freezer, but haven’t wanted to make an overly sugary sauce. This looks like the one!

    Reply
  11. Julie @ Running in a Skirt

    November 14, 2017 at 6:10 am

    Ya know I haven’t made my own cranberry sauce yet! That needs to change! This looks so tasty.

    Reply
  12. Jordan

    November 14, 2017 at 10:15 am

    Just a few smart swaps but it makes so much sense! I can’t wait to test drive this at Thanksgiving. <3 I love that you used your hubby as a guinea pig lol.

    Reply
  13. Jackie

    November 6, 2018 at 8:43 am

    This looks so lovely! I’m excited to try it! (I can’t believe I actually used to eat the canned cranberry sauce when I was little!) 😫

    Reply
  14. Amanda Dee

    November 6, 2018 at 12:14 pm


    Thank you…coconut sugar is our favorite. Lovely recipe!!

    Reply

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