Posted Nov 13, 2017, Updated Nov 11, 2024 This healthy cranberry sauce is a lighter version of one of our family’s must-have holiday side dishes. I already have a favorite homemade cranberry sauce recipe, which I have made more times than I can count. And while it’ll always have a special place in my heart, I also love this healthier version! When I make it, no one in my family can tell that I have deviated from our normal recipe – which speaks volumes for how absolutely delicious this healthy cranberry sauce really is. If you have family members dining with you who have unique dietary needs, you can make this healthy cranberry sauce and no one will be able to tell that it’s paleo, vegan, and lower in sugar (with no refined sugar). Plus, you can use leftovers to make the best turkey cranberry sandwich – yum!
Healthy Cranberry Sauce: Substitutions
This recipe is fairly versatile, especially considering that it’s made with only 7 ingredients!
Apple Cider: Unsweetened apple juice can be used to ensure there is no added sugar and that the recipe is paleo. I suggest adding a pinch of a few other spices if you opt not to use apple cider (nutmeg, cloves, etc). This will compensate for the absence of spices in regular apple juice. Orange Juice. You can 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. Coconut Sugar. Any granulated sugar works well in this recipe! If not coconut sugar, I recommend organic cane sugar.
How to Make Healthy Cranberry Sauce
This healthy cranberry sauce is made in 15 minutes! It’s so easy that you’ll never buy store-bought cranberry sauce again. Begin by whisking the orange juice, apple cider, maple syrup and coconut sugar together in a 5 quart saucepan over medium-high heat, then bring the mixture to a boil. One mixture comes to a boil, whisk in the cinnamon and a pinch of salt, then add the cranberries the saucepan and reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer the mixture uncovered for 10 – 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries begin to pop. One of my favorite parts of making this healthy cranberry sauce is that the cranberries “talk” to you while they cook. As they warm up they start popping and snapping. Keep cooking until most of the berries have “burst!” 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). 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.
To Prepare in Advance
You can make this healthy cranberry sauce recipe up to 3 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. I always make it at least 1 day before Thanksgiving because I like to give the flavors time to blend overnight. However, if you prefer smooth (not chunky) healthy cranberry sauce, blend the mixture after it cools to room temperature in the contianer of a high-powered blender (Vitamix) until smooth.
Serve
Serve with your favorite nutritious Thanksgiving recipes like roast turkey, healthy sweet potato casserole and whole wheat dinner rolls. Or, use leftovers to make cranberry cream cheese dip.
Store/Freeze
Store this healthy cranberry sauce in an airtight container (preferably a glass container with a lid) in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 2 months. If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can see your creations!
