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I’ve always thought that homemade versions of classic recipes taste much better than store-bought versions, and cranberry sauce is a perfect example of this. Although I loved the canned jellied cranberry sauce that we always ate on Thanksgiving when I was young, after I tried making cranberry sauce from scratch one year, I was hooked.
Now I have a whole list of re-invented, healthier recipes for the holidays, most of which call for real food ingredients, little prep, and a lot less sugar.
Naturally Sweetened Cranberry Sauce
Most homemade cranberry sauce recipes call for a lot of sugar… enough that I’d classify cranberry sauce a dessert and not a side dish!
For those who haven’t tried them, plain cranberries are very tart, so I wasn’t sure how much it would be possible to reduce the sugar and still have an enjoyable sauce. I shouldn’t have worried, because unrefined natural sweeteners (honey) and delicious applesauce filled in the gaps.
This recipe still has more natural sugars than we normally eat, but is a much healthier option than the ones that actually contain refined sugar and is a delicious treat for Thanksgiving dinner.
If you’re hosting Thanksgiving this year, also check out my healthy versions of green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, butternut squash soup, and root vegetable stuffing.
Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 24 oz fresh cranberries
- ¾ cup pineapple juice or orange juice
- ½ cup no sugar added applesauce
- ½ cup water
- juice and zest of one orange
- 3-4 TBSP honey or to taste optional
Instructions
- Put cranberries, pineapple juice, applesauce and water in a sauce pan and and bring to a boil.
- Reduce to medium heat and stir constantly until the cranberries start to explode (about 10-15 minutes).
- Reduce to a simmer and add the juice and zest to the cranberry mixture.
- Simmer 10-15 minutes and remove from heat.
- Cool completely and store in fridge at least 4 hours but preferably overnight before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Like this recipe? Check out my new cookbook, or get all my recipes (over 500!) in a personalized weekly meal planner here!
Do you eat cranberry sauce? What foods do you always have at Thanksgiving? Share below!
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I don’t know much about cranberry sauce. Can this be made the day before and how do you store it? Do you serve it cold or room temp? Thank you
Hi Katie,
I love this recipe…perfect for the upcoming holidays. I’m in the process of starting a blog and want to share my favorite, healthy, holiday recipes…and this is sure one!
Would you mind if I link back to your post from my site? As I said, it is still under construction and is a blog about living a happy, healthy retirement…I am always searching for recipes that help my husband and I to transition to a wfpb diet and I come back to your site frequency. Can’t wait to share!
Thanks!
Nancy
It’s fine to link to the post and even quote from it, but I don’t allow full articles to be republished elsewhere. Thanks for checking though!
Hi Cheryl, the only citrus I can do is lemon, I like how you said pineapple juice can be used as an option. Would it be a good substitute to use a lemon zest on this recipe? Thank you in advance, A. 🙂 Also, would you think I could trade out pineapple juice with a lot of recipes requiring it?
How long will this keep for?
Hey! Wanted to make this recipe but it’s totally got added sugar! Would be awesome if you could cut the added back!
Where are you seeing added sugar? I don’t add sugar into any of my recipes…
Thanks for this much-healthier-than-storebought version!! Honey, while not *cane* sugar, is a form of sugar. Some might even consider the fruit juice to be “added sugar,” and since you state the honey is optional, maybe that’s what she’s referring to? Not sure how you could make a good cranberry sauce without all the sweet juice though, as cranberries are so tart and bitter. I’m excited to try this recipe without the honey since I tend to avoid sweeteners in general, but I’ll add some if necessary.
Thanks again Katie!! A fruit-sweetened cranberry sauce is exactly what I wanted for this Thanksgiving!
I am SO grateful you shared this post! I’m on Whole30, and so I cannot have many of my cherished favorites for Thanksgiving (stickin’ to my plan over here). I was hopeful that I’d be able to find a sugar-free (yes, fruit still has sugar, but no added sugar) option so I wouldn’t have to give up cranberry sauce too. THANK YOU! 🙂
Sounds yummy. Never tried pineapple juice before – maybe puree ripe pineapple? I always add a chopped apple and pear and walnuts to mine. No need for added sugar with the sweetness of the fruit. Red raspberries are a wonderful addition too!
I am hosting a Family Gathering (about 19 people this year) and am serving ham and smoked turkey. I am always looking for something to serve with a smoked turkey. Would this work well? Any other ideas?
…Really? This isn’t sugarless, for the simple fact that you’ve already added sugar in the form of fructose with the apple sauce and pineapple/orange juice. Even the cranberries have sugar in them, albeit a very small amount. This is free from refined sugars, but not sugar in general. True enough this is healthier than your standard cranberry sauce, but you’re looking for a nice low-carb cranberry sauce, you’d be better off just substituting the refined sugar a with a sugar substitute such as stevia. Then it’s much lower in carbs and calories and much healthier for you.
My dad, has been making this for the past thirty years. He reduced the sugar every year and now there is only orange juice and a couple of slices of lemons in it. No need for that much sugar. The canned stuff is disgusting.