This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon associate I earn qualifying purchases. Click here for more about this policy.
Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce naturally sweetened with oranges and spices. Easy, low-calorie cranberry sauce that's homemade and delicious!
Hey Friends! How was your weekend? This weekend was a blur to me. I did a whole lot of nothing and it felt wonderful. Friday night I made Italian chicken in the crockpot (recipe coming soon) we watched an old movie and laughed at the 80's hair. On Saturday I walked 8.7 miles (WOOHOO) in the morning and later we ate pizza and watched hockey. Yesterday I taught spin then met an old friend for lunch and watched the Packer game. Gotta love fall weekends!
That said, over the weekend the guy says to me "yeah, it's almost Christmas!" I was like OMG I'm so not ready to think about that. When we were at Costco a few weeks ago, they had Christmas trees next to the Halloween candy which reminded me that Thanksgiving is just a few short weeks away.
It gave me an excuse to remake this Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce. It's one of the very recipes I ever put on this blog, and one of my most popular one's during the holidays. It was due for updated pictures with a revamped recipe! I added cloves this time and it made all the difference.
Cranberry sauce is something I've never liked. Not ever. Something really creeps me out about the ridges jellied cranberry gets from the side of the can. Seems so alien-like. I've never been able to bring myself to eat it. It wasn't until I ate this sandwich that had cranberry chutney on it that I discovered how good it can be. Ever since I had that sandwich a few years ago, I've been dreaming of re-creating my own version of it with this homemade sugar free cranberry sauce.
This sugar free cranberry sauce is naturally sweetened with oranges and spices. If you feel it needs a little something more, you can always add maple syrup or honey. It's always easier to add then to subtract. Delicious, EASY to make and will make your house smell like holiday heaven. No excuses with this recipe! Just 10 minutes of boiling and simmering and voila it's done! I recommend you make it ahead of time. It tastes so much better after chilling in the refrigerator for a night or two.
I enjoy my cranberry sauce on Thanksgiving turkey, salmon, pumpkin pancakes, leftover turkey sandwiches or even on yogurt. Put it in a mason jar, tie it with a bow and give it as a present. People love food as gifts!
3 Smart Strategies To Stop Cravings
BONUS when you sign up!
Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 12 ounces cranberries
- 3/4 cup Water or orange juice
- 1/2 cup Monkfruit or sugar sweetener of choice
- 2 tablespoons Orange Zest
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg
- 1/2 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
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.