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3 Smart Strategies To Stop Cravings So You Can Lose Weight!

Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce {GF, Paleo, Vegan, Low Calorie}

October 9, 2017

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Homemade Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce naturally sweetened with oranges and spices. Easy, warm, filling! Gluten Free + Paleo + Vegan + Low Calorie

Homemade Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce naturally sweetened with oranges and spices. Easy, warm, filling! Wonderful as a side or gift. Gluten Free + Paleo + Vegan + Low Calorie

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.

Homemade Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce naturally sweetened with oranges and spices. Easy, warm, filling! Wonderful as a side or gift. Gluten Free + Paleo + Vegan + Low Calorie

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.

Homemade Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce naturally sweetened with oranges and spices. Easy, warm, filling! Wonderful as a side or gift. Gluten Free + Paleo + Vegan + Low Calorie

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.

cranberry_rosemary_sauce_sugar_free1

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.

Homemade Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce naturally sweetened with oranges and spices. Easy, warm, filling! Wonderful as a side or gift. Gluten Free + Paleo + Vegan + Low Calorie

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!

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Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce

Homemade Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce naturally sweetened with oranges and spices. Easy, warm, filling! Wonderful as a side or gift. Gluten Free + Paleo + Vegan + Low Calorie

Author Megan
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 10 servings
Calories 43 kcal
Homemade Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce naturally sweetened with oranges and spices. Easy, warm, filling! Wonderful as a side or gift. Gluten Free + Paleo + Vegan + Low Calorie
4.29 from 7 votes
Print

Ingredients

  • 24 ounces cranberries
  • 1 cup orange juice freshly squeezed from an orange
  • 2 tbsp orange zest
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • liquid stevia optional, to taste

Instructions

  1. Add orange juice (or water may be subbed) and cranberries to a large pot.

  2. Bring to a boil ~7 minutes until cranberries begin to pop.

  3. Reduce to a simmer then add cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and orange zest.

  4. Simmer on high 3-5 minutes until fragrant then reduce to low for another 5 minutes.

  5. Remove from heat and transfer to an airtight container or serve immediately.

Recipe 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.

 

Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword cranberry, gluten free, healthy, low calorie, low sugar, Paleo, sauce, thanksgiving, vegan
Nutrition facts per serving (1serving)
Calories 43 kcal
Fat 0 g
Saturated Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 2 mg
Potassium 107 mg
Carbohydrates 11 g
Fiber 3 g
Sugar 4 g
Protein 0 g
Vitamin A 90 %
Vitamin C 21.5 %
Calcium 12 %
Iron 0.3 %

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Homemade Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce naturally sweetened with oranges and spices. Easy, warm, filling! Gluten Free + Paleo + Vegan + Low Calorie

Homemade Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce naturally sweetened with oranges and spices. Easy, warm, filling! Gluten Free + Paleo + Vegan + Low Calorie

About Megan

Megan is a certified nutrition practitioner, author, freelance food photographer and fitness instructor living in Phoenix, Arizona. On her blog, Skinny Fitalicious she shares EASY, gluten free recipes for weight loss. Follow Megan on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for the latest updates.

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Fran@BCDC says

    November 21, 2014 at 5:48 am

    This looks So good! Simple and delicious without a lot of sugar. I need to try this. Thanks for sharing it. Have a great weekend!

    Reply
    • Megan says

      November 22, 2014 at 10:40 am

      Of course, hope you like it!

      Reply
  2. Christine@ Apple of My Eye says

    November 21, 2014 at 9:03 am

    YUM! Cranberry sauce is one of my favorite things ever, and I eat it year-round. In Norway, they often serve a cranberry-esq type sauce with most meat dishes, so I have a hard time enjoying a steak or roast without some. Love that this is sugar-free! Great recipe 🙂

    Reply
    • Megan says

      November 22, 2014 at 10:40 am

      Are you Norwegian? I am & had no idea about the cranberry with meat dishes, but that sounds like a great idea.

      Reply
      • Glenda Robles says

        November 23, 2021 at 2:10 pm

        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

        Reply
  3. Daisy @ Fit Wanderlust Runner says

    November 21, 2014 at 9:39 am

    I’ve actually never tried cranberry sauce. Crazy right??

    Reply
    • Megan says

      November 22, 2014 at 10:34 am

      No, not crazy. I’ve never had a desire to eat the canned stuff. I tasted it once, but the funky shape creeps me out.

      Reply
  4. Karen says

    November 21, 2014 at 11:29 am

    Yum! I love cranberries, but this recipe without sugar is even better 🙂

    Reply
    • Megan says

      November 22, 2014 at 10:36 am

      Thanks!

      Reply
  5. Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says

    November 21, 2014 at 12:59 pm

    I love cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving! Maybe because I only have it once a year? I grew up having canned, but it is so much better to make it from stratch. Enjoy your Friday!

    Reply
    • Megan says

      November 22, 2014 at 10:44 am

      I don’t see fresh cranberries the rest of the year. That could be why a lot of people only eat them once a year.

      Reply
  6. Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says

    November 21, 2014 at 4:45 pm

    Love this! I used to hate the over sugared stuff my family made. It was wasn’t…. right… 😛

    Reply
    • Megan says

      November 22, 2014 at 10:44 am

      There’s a lot of stuff I grew up on that wasn’t right.

      Reply
  7. Amanda @ Diary of a Semi-Health Nut says

    November 29, 2014 at 8:35 am

    Confession: I’ve never had cranberry sauce! At my grandmas we have canned cranberry sauce but it never looks very appetizing…this is something I might try though!!

    Thanks for linking up last week, lady!

    Reply
    • Megan says

      November 29, 2014 at 10:08 am

      Me either until I started making my own.

      Reply
  8. Amanda @ Diary of a Semi-Health Nut says

    November 29, 2014 at 8:36 am

    Ps don’t you LOVE that recipe plugin?? So pretty and customizable!

    Reply
    • Megan says

      November 29, 2014 at 10:09 am

      It is. I wish I knew of a good nutrition plugin. Know of any?

      Reply
  9. Lou Lou Girls says

    November 29, 2014 at 11:41 am

    Oh my! This looks incredible! Pinned and tweeted. We always love partying with you, I hope to see you Monday at 7 pm at our party. Happy Saturday! Lou Lou Girls

    Reply
  10. dee says

    November 27, 2016 at 3:38 pm

    Used raw honey and clementines instead of oranges. A bit tart, which I like, but not sure if the rest of the crowd would like this. Anyway, happy to try something without a cup of sugar added!

    Reply
    • Megan says

      November 28, 2016 at 11:39 am

      I love tart, but yes it can be too much for some. This is a REALLY old recipe. I’ll probably be updating it next year.

      Reply
  11. Ingrid Spangler says

    November 16, 2017 at 8:53 am

    Used apple juice instead of water and it’s STILL super bitter. I’ll be adding sugar. 🙁

    Reply
    • Megan says

      November 16, 2017 at 11:50 am

      It is sugar free so that should be expected. I add Trader Joe’s liquid stevia to mine and it’s perfect.

      Reply
      • Sandy H. says

        November 22, 2017 at 1:51 am

        Can I use powdered stevia, how much approx. & when should I add it? Thank you for the recipe!

        Reply
        • Megan says

          November 22, 2017 at 7:22 am

          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.

          Reply
          • Sandy H. says

            November 22, 2017 at 1:59 pm

            Thank you! That’s what I needed to know. Happy Thanksgiving!

  12. Emily says

    November 21, 2018 at 11:41 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Megan says

      November 21, 2018 at 12:15 pm

      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.

      Reply
  13. Nicole says

    April 13, 2020 at 6:29 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Megan says

      April 14, 2020 at 7:59 am

      So glad to hear you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  14. TAMMII Rosling says

    November 13, 2020 at 6:13 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Megan says

      November 14, 2020 at 7:34 am

      I’m sure you could.

      Reply
  15. Glenda Robles says

    November 23, 2021 at 2:09 pm

    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

    Reply

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Meet Megan

Megan is a nutrition practitioner, author of the Low Calorie Cookbook and podcast host of the Dish On Ditching Diets. Megan helps women over 35 lose weight after losing 80 pounds herself. Here you get low calorie recipes for weight loss that balance hormones. Learn more about my weight loss programs HERE!

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