I’ve always thought that homemade classic recipes taste much better than store-bought ones. Cranberry sauce is a great example. When I was little, I loved the canned cranberry sauce we always had for Thanksgiving, but one year I tried making cranberry sauce from scratch and was hooked.
Now you have a list of healthy recipes for Christmas and Thanksgiving. These reinvented new recipes feature whole-food ingredients, little preparation, and significantly reduced sugar. Don’t miss canned food!
The best cranberry sauce (naturally sweet)
Most recipes for homemade cranberry sauce call for large amounts of sugar. So much so that cranberry sauce is classified as a dessert rather than a Thanksgiving side dish.
In case you haven’t tried them, plain cranberries are very tart. I didn’t know if I could reduce the amount of white sugar and still get a delicious sauce. I didn’t have to worry, as unrefined natural sweetener (honey) and delicious applesauce filled in the gaps.
This recipe contains more natural sugar than we normally eat. However, it’s a much healthier option than anything made with refined sugar, and it’s a delicious choice for Thanksgiving dinner.
How to make an easy cranberry sauce recipe
Just throw the ingredients together and simmer until thickened. It’s really easy! Add the orange zest later in the recipe so that the flavorful volatile oils don’t degrade too much. Many sauces require thickening agents such as cornstarch or flour. However, fresh cranberries contain natural pectin, which breaks down during cooking.
There’s no need for brown sugar or other unhealthy sweeteners, as the juice and applesauce add natural sweetness. I like the recipe as is, but you can also add a cinnamon stick or two for even more flavor.
Homemade cranberry sauce also makes a perfect make-ahead dish. Make it 1-2 days before the big day and store it in the fridge. I’m all for easier (yet healthy!) holiday meals. If you make a big batch and have leftovers, there are so many delicious ways to use them (see recipe below for ideas).
If you’re hosting Thanksgiving this year, also check out healthy versions of green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, butternut squash soup, and stuffed root vegetables.
cranberry sauce recipe
A homemade alternative to store-bought cranberry sauce, the pineapple and orange flavors enhance the flavor.
Combine cranberries, pineapple or orange juice, applesauce, and water in a medium saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to medium and stir constantly until cranberries begin to explode (about 10-15 minutes).
Reduce heat to low and add fresh orange juice and orange zest to cranberry mixture.
Simmer for another 10-15 minutes and remove from heat.
Let the sauce cool to room temperature and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, before serving.
Nutritional information table
cranberry sauce recipe
Amount per serving (0.5 cup)
Calories 86 Calories from Fat 1
% daily value*
Fat 0.15g0%
Saturated fat 0.01g0%
Monounsaturated fat 0.02g
Sodium 3mg0%
Potassium 139mg4%
Carbohydrate 23g8%
Dietary fiber 3g13%
Sugar 15g17%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 93IU2%
Vitamin C 23mg28%
Calcium 17mg2%
Iron 1mg6%
*Percent daily intake is based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Not as sweet as commercially available products! Taste at the end of cooking. It’s naturally sweet from the fruit juice and applesauce, but you can add honey or stevia to taste if you like. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
How to use leftover cranberry sauce
You may not have any fresh cranberry sauce left after eating it with your Thanksgiving turkey. Just in case, here are some ways to reuse leftovers.
Do you eat cranberry sauce? What food do you usually eat on Thanksgiving? Share below!
