This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon associate I earn qualifying purchases. Click here for more about this policy.
This Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce has the perfect balance of sweet, tart and that hint of spice, minus all the calories. It’s the perfect healthy side dish to make this Thanksgiving, and is super easy to make too.
Table of Contents
I’m a big advocate of adding fresh produce as much as I can into my everyday foods. And on occasions when fresh isn’t available, frozen works just as well. Whenever I find some frozen cranberries, I almost always use them to make some cranberry hummus or my favorite cranberry apple smoothie.
This time though, I managed to get my hands on some fresh cranberries, and I just knew I had to try this healthier version of a classic cranberry sauce, right in time for Thanksgiving.
Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Sauce Without Sugar
- Amazing taste: This healthy cranberry sauce still packs in all the sweet, tart and delicious fruity flavors that a classic cranberry sauce does.
- Healthy recipe: With just 43 calories per serving, this has to be one of the healthiest cranberry recipes you’ll make.
- Versatile: It’s a great Thanksgiving side for sure, but not just that. It also pairs wonderfully with baked chicken or some pumpkin gingerbread granola on a bowl of yogurt.
- Easy to make: It’s so easy to make. You’ll need just under 20 minutes to make it from scratch.
Ingredients
- Cranberries: Fresh cranberries are the best choice for this recipe. They have a fair bit of natural sweetness, which really works in your favor when making this sauce.
- Orange juice: For that bright, citrusy flavor and also to thin out the sauce a bit. Feel free to use water if you don’t have orange juice.
- Orange zest: For that extra bit of flavor to brighten up the sauce. If you don’t have fresh orange zest, you can add a dash of orange extract to lend that flavor to the sauce.
- Monkfruit: My favorite way to sweeten the sauce without adding sugar or extra calories.
- Vanilla: Use vanilla paste or extract.
- Spices: I used a mix of ground nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves to balance out the sweetness and tartness of the sauce.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations & Dietary Modifications
- Spice swap: Fresh or dried ginger makes for an excellent addition to this low sugar cranberry sauce. You can also experiment with different kinds of fall spices to create flavor variations.
- Sweetener swap: I used monkfruit sweetener here, but you could also try using Trader Joe’s liquid stevia to sweeten the sauce instead or another sugar you prefer.
How to Make Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce
To make this healthy cranberry sauce, first wash and clean your cranberries and get all your ingredients ready.
Step 1: Cook cranberries. Add the cranberries and water to a large pot over medium heat. Bring this to a boil. This should take about 7 minutes.
Step 2: Add the spices. Turn the heat down, add all the remaining ingredients and give it a quick mix.
Step 3: Cook. Simmer the sauce on high for 3-5 minutes.
Step 4: Reduce heat and cook more. Turn the heat down to low and simmer for another 5 minutes and then take it off heat.
Storage Directions
- Storing: You can store your leftover cranberry sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Reheating: To reheat the sauce, simply transfer it to a pan and cook it for a few minutes over low heat, stirring it continuously.
- Make Ahead: This delicious cranberry sauce is meal-prep friendly too! You can make it ahead of time and freeze it for up to 3 months, if not longer.
Serving Suggestions
I love using this no sugar cranberry sauce for my meal prep turkey sandwich recipe. And of course, it’s perfect as a Thanksgiving side with your roasted turkey and other dishes like kale butternut squash salad, healthy green bean casserole, and a quick and easy stovetop stuffing.
You can also use the sauce as a topping or spread over some cranberry coconut bread or serve it as a side with some skillet cranberry balsamic salmon. It’s actually an incredibly versatile condiment that you can put to use in lots of ways!
Expert Tips
- Cook smart: Don’t use a wooden spoon to stir the sauce. The natural color from the cranberries will stain it. It’s better to use a silicone spatula instead.
- Cooking time matters: Adjust the cooking time depending on the texture and consistency of the sauce you’re looking for. If you prefer a much thicker, jelly-like sauce, cook it for a little longer. If you like your sauce to have the berries intact, cook it for a little less time.
- Smooth sauce: If you want the sauce to have super smooth, uniform consistency, you can also use a stick blender to blend it, or just strain the mixture through a sieve.
Recipe FAQs
You absolutely can! In fact, this is one of the perfect recipes to make utilizing your batch of frozen cranberries.
If you feel that the cranberry sauce isn’t thickening as much as you’d like it to, let it simmer for a few more minutes, then take it off heat and allow it to cool down. The sauce will actually thicken quite a bit once it cools.
More Delicious Fall Recipes
If you tried this healthy cranberry sauce recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below.
Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Cranberries
- ¾ cup Water, or orange juice
- ½ cup Monkfruit, or sugar sweetener of choice
- 2 tablespoons Orange Zest
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cloves
- ¼ teaspoon Nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- Add water and cranberries to a large pot.
- Bring to a boil ~7 minutes until cranberries begin to pop.
- Reduce to a simmer then add sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and orange zest.
- Simmer on high 3-5 minutes until fragrant then reduce to low for another 5 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and transfer to an airtight container or serve immediately.
Notes
- While orange juice has sugar, this is an all natural source of sugar. Our bodies need real sugar from real foods. The brain and kidneys need real sugar to function properly. I recommend that all my clients look for natural sources to sweeten their foods which is why this recipe uses oranges to balance the tartness of the cranberries. When you look at the nutritional info, a serving of this cranberry sauce breaks down to very few carbs per serving.
- Trader Joe’s liquid stevia is perfect for adding sweetness to this side without adding sugar or calories.
- 1/4 cup equals 1 serving
- My shop has more products similar to those used for this recipe and that recommend to my nutrition clients.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I can’t wait to try this recipe, I love cranberry sauce. I loved your comment about eating natural sugars that are good for you because that is what I do in my diet. I wanted to ask a question though because I eat a bowl of fruit every morning on an empty stomach. They say it shoots your blood sugar high and that you should eat it after meals. I read years ago that fruit is difficult to digest and it’s better on an empty stomach and not after a protein meal. I would love your opinion on this. I do have a sensitive stomach. Thank you
The stuff you’ve heard about not eating fruit or eating fruit on an empty stomach is nonsense. None of that is true. Fruit is high in fiber and nutritious. Blood sugar spikes is not something to worry about unless you are diabetic. Eating adequate protein and fiber daily ensures your energy and hunger are balanced. Protein and fiber do not spike blood sugar up and down like a candy bar as an example.
Yum!! I am making this ahead for Thanksgiving and had to taste a sample. It is delicious and so easy. So much flavor but without all the excess sugar normally found
Hi! This recipe sounds delicious! Is there anyway it can be made using EQUAL? I’m a diabetic with a sensitive tummy when it comes to sweeteners. The only 1 I can use is EQUAL.
Thanks for your help.
I’m sure you could.
I tried this cranberry sauce for Easter. I did not have Stevia so I added 2 tablespoons of maple syrup as I found it a bit tart. I love cranberries and other than turkey, I eat it on my toasts in the morning. I will definitely keep this recipe and next time, I will try it with Stevia. Thanks for this recipe.
So glad to hear you enjoyed it!
y’all know there is hella sugar in orange juice, right? Like more carbs than I eat in 1 day. I do water and orange extract.
Hi Emily, I don’t understand your comment and what makes you think oranges are bad for you. Oranges are a natural source of sugar that is good for you. Unless you are diabetic, you shouldn’t be restricting natural sources of sugar like fruit. What is bad for you are unnatural sources that are highly refined like white sugar, Truvia, Splenda, etc.
A serving of this cranberry sauce has very few grams of sugar and carbs. Are you eating fewer than 4 grams of sugar a day? Unless you’re eating the entire batch in one sitting, you should not be worried about the sugar from the orange. Your brain and kidneys need sugar to properly function and I always recommend that comes from a natural source. The recipe card also states you can use water and stevia as an alternative to the orange for those with blood sugar problems.
Used apple juice instead of water and it’s STILL super bitter. I’ll be adding sugar. 🙁
It is sugar free so that should be expected. I add Trader Joe’s liquid stevia to mine and it’s perfect.
Can I use powdered stevia, how much approx. & when should I add it? Thank you for the recipe!
I haven’t tried powdered, but I’m sure you can. The amount will depend on how much sweetness you want. I recommend starting with 2 teaspoons then trying it to see if it needs more. You’ll add it when you add the spices.
Thank you! That’s what I needed to know. Happy Thanksgiving!