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Home By Meal Lunch and Dinner

Healthy Cranberry Sauce

★★★★★ 13 Reviews Recipe Print
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By: Alex CaganPosted: 11/15/19Updated: 9/13/21

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

It’s time to ditch the canned stuff! This homemade Healthy Cranberry Sauce is made with fresh cranberries and orange juice and sweetened naturally with only maple syrup. Ready in 10 minutes, it’s the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving menu!

cranberry sauce in bowl

A must for your Thanksgiving line up

Sometimes I feel like cranberry sauce is the ugly stepchild of the Thanksgiving table, always getting ignored when matched up against pecan pie, stuffing, and other cranberry recipes.

But that’s only because when anyone hears “cranberry sauce,” their mind immediately goes to the canned stuff. You know, the kind that holds the shape of the can, even when it’s been sliced and plated on the table.

What these people don’t realize is that canned cranberry sauce is not the only way! You can make it from scratch, and the homemade versions taste worlds better than that sugary, jellied canned kind.

Take it from me, someone who didn’t know it could be homemade. As soon as I tried my hand at making my own, I developed a love for the dish that may even surpass my love for Thanksgiving gravy. It’s light, fruity, and extremely flavorful, and it’s a dish that I actually look forward to now!

This healthy cranberry sauce is made with just five ingredients and is naturally sweetened with maple syrup. It’s the perfect combo of tart meets sweet, bursting with fresh cranberry flavor.

So if you’re up for the easy, 10 minute task, give cranberry sauce a second chance and try making your own! I promise, it’s sure to become a staple for your Thanksgiving dinner.

cranberry sauce in bowl

What’s in homemade cranberry sauce

This recipe uses only 5 ingredients, which is one of the reasons why it’s a must this holiday season! You can’t go wrong with a simple, to the point recipe, especially when there are so many different dishes to be made.

  • Cranberries: Grab a container or bag of fresh cranberries. You’ll need at least 12 oz.
  • Maple syrup: Next up, maple syrup will be used to give the sauce its naturally sweetened flavor. We’ll use 1/2 cup.
  • Orange: A large orange will be used to add juice and zest!
  • Vanilla: Add 1 tsp of vanilla for that classic slight flavor.
  • Thyme: Finally, we will use 1 tbsp of thyme for seasoning.

Tools needed to make this cranberry recipe

You’ll only need a couple different kitchen items to create this recipe! It keeps it simple and keeps clean up to a minimum, which we all love.

  • Sauce pot
  • Stirring utensil
  • Fork or potato masher
  • Measuring cups: 1 tsp, 1/ tbsp, and 1/2 cup.
cranberry sauce in bowl and orange

How to make healthy cranberry sauce

All you need to make your own cranberry sauce is one pot and about ten minutes.

To start, add all of your ingredients to a sauce pot and heat it over medium heat until it reaches a boil.

Then, reduce the heat and allow the cranberries to burst. This should take about ten minutes.

Once the berries burst, smash them with a fork or potato masher.

Turn the heat back on and heat the ingredients until they reach a thick consistency.

Finally, allow the ingredients to cool, and enjoy!

How to serve up cranberry sauce

The best thing about perfecting my own homemade cranberry sauce recipe has definitely been learning all of the great ways to use it. You don’t have to eat it alone; there are so many foods that are even better with a dollop of cranberry sauce on top! Enjoy it…

  • Mixed into oatmeal
  • Mixed into yogurt
  • On top of pancakes/waffles
  • On toast (sort of like jelly)
  • As a spread on a turkey sandwich

There are so many good options. Just get creative and see what works!

stuffing and cranberry sauce

A healthier cranberry option

Store bought cranberry sauce is typically made with cranberries, high fructose corn syrup, water, and corn syrup.

I’ve cut both corn syrups and replaced them with a natural sweetener: maple syrup! I’ve also added orange juice and orange zest, which provides some sweetness and helps cut the tartness of the cranberries.

My secret ingredient in this cranberry sauce is fresh thyme. The addition of the more savory herbs pairs perfectly with the sweet and tart flavors of typical cranberry sauce. It’s the magic combination!

Can cranberry sauce be made ahead of time?

Yes! This cranberry sauce can be prepared up to three days in advance. Store in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.

Feel free to serve at room temperature, or warm up slightly on the stove.

It also freezes well if you have any leftovers!

More delicious holiday desserts

Need some more dishes to accompany the cranberry sauce for the Thanksgiving dessert lineup? Here are some of my favorites! Guests will be so excited to see any of these dishes on the table.

  • Healthy Apple Cobbler
  • No-Bake Pumpkin Bites
  • Healthy White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
  • Pecan Pie Brownies
  • Healthy Paleo Pumpkin Pie
cranberry sauce in bowl
★★★★★ 5 from 13 reviews

Healthy Cranberry Sauce

Skip the canned stuff – this healthy cranberry sauce is quick and easy to make! It requires about ten minutes and only five ingredients. Sweetened only with maple syrup, it’s the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving menu

Prep: 5Cook: 10Total: 15 minutes
Print Pin it Rate

Ingredients

  • 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 1 large orange, juice and zest
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme

 

Instructions

  1.  Add all ingredients to saucepan and heat over medium heat until boiling
  2.  Reduce heat and allow cranberries to burst .This should take about ten minutes
  3. Once burst, smash cranberries with fork or potato masher
  4. Heat until sauce has thickened
  5. Once thickened, allow to cool
Author: Erin
cranberry sauce in bowl

Did you make this?

Leave a comment below and tag @erinliveswhole on social media!

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There may be affiliate links in this post! By purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. Thank you for supporting Erin Lives Whole, it helps keep this blog afloat 🙂

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Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. Ilana says

    Posted on 12/19 at 8:52 pm

    WOW! this literally was incredible. It was such a good twist on the classic cranberry sauce. My brother-in-law said it tasted a like fruity pebbles in the best possible way lmao. My husbands fam all started calling it the “boujee” cranberry sauce because they thought it was so fancy (little do they know how easy it was to make)

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/19 at 9:44 pm

      Hi Ilana, I am so happy everyone loved it! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Abby Riesmeyer says

    Posted on 12/6 at 4:21 pm

    Made this and used it on baked brie bites. So delicious and huge hit at Thanksgiving!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/7 at 3:36 pm

      Hi Abby, so glad you liked it and great idea!! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Peach says

    Posted on 11/25 at 2:20 pm

    My favorite cranberry sauce! It is so easy, delicious and smells so good. This is our second Thanksgiving using this recipe and it won’t be our last!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/26 at 12:27 pm

      Hi Peach, so glad you loved it!! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Josie says

    Posted on 11/25 at 9:38 am

    Perfect for a quick cranberry sauce! Made this this morning for a family thanksgiving lunch and it was quick, easy, and the perfect balance of tart and sweet. I personally added a bit more sweetener for my dish. I plan on using it for cranberry and brie pastry bites that are currently in the making.

    Great sauce on its own or with a recipe!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/26 at 12:26 pm

      Hi Josie, so happy you and your family loved it so much!! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Ashley says

    Posted on 11/13 at 12:58 pm

    It was the perfect balance of sweet and tart and was super easy to make. Thanks!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/15 at 2:13 pm

      Hi Ashely, so glad you enjoyed it!!

      Reply
  6. kate says

    Posted on 3/15 at 5:07 pm

    make this every year at thanksgiving–better than store bought!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 3/16 at 7:56 am

      Hi Kate, so happy you enjoyed it!!

      Reply
  7. Kim says

    Posted on 1/16 at 6:28 am

    Delicious! I put it on yogurt and it was awesome! I’ve already made it twice!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 1/17 at 1:14 pm

      Hi Kim, great idea! Glad you liked it!

      Reply
  8. Jessica Elster says

    Posted on 11/30 at 10:07 am

    I’ll admit it, I love weird canned cranberry sauce! And I’ve never found a homemade one that isn’t chunky or too sweet. However, this one is a winner! Thank goodness we had some leftover from Thanksgiving, because I got to enjoy this on toast the next morning with PBFit and it was insane. Thank you for the suggestions of other ways to use this because I never would’ve thought to add it to yogurt or oats, but now I’ll be making another batch of this asap 🙂

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/30 at 4:29 pm

      Hi Jessica, I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe so much!

      Reply
    • Dee says

      Posted on 1/4 at 12:09 am

      This was a delicious recipe. I would’ve never thought to put vanilla in cranberry sauce but it really works! I used honey instead of maple and cut it down to 3 tbs instead of 4 since it’s sweeter (for a half recipe). Also used a (sweeter) Cara Cara orange – delish!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Erin says

        Posted on 1/4 at 3:32 pm

        Hi Dee, so happy you enjoyed it and made it your own!

  9. Kacie says

    Posted on 11/28 at 10:22 pm

    The perfect addition to any Thanksgiving dinner!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/30 at 4:16 pm

      Hi Kacie, I am so glad you liked it!

      Reply
  10. Amy Ronick says

    Posted on 11/28 at 12:57 pm

    First time making cranberry sauce. It was so easy and I got satisfaction watching the cranberries burst. Lol. Made it for Thanksgiving and it was delicious and enjoyed by all. Never would have thought to include thyme and that makes it.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/30 at 3:44 pm

      Hi Amy, I am so happy to hear that! Thanks for sharing!!

      Reply
  11. Julia says

    Posted on 11/28 at 11:57 am

    So good! Super easy and the perfect amount of sweetness, this will definitely become an annual additional to thanksgiving

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/30 at 3:41 pm

      Hi Julia, ah I love to hear that! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  12. Emily says

    Posted on 11/24 at 3:26 pm

    This was super easy and tastes delicious! Love the orange and thyme… yum!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/24 at 11:16 pm

      Hi Emily, I am so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  13. Lauren says

    Posted on 11/17 at 9:09 pm

    Can I use frozen cranberries? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/14 at 12:23 pm

      Hi Lauren! Yes, of course. Just be sure to thaw them and you might want to drain them in a colander first so they aren’t too wet. Let me know how it comes out for you!

      Reply
  14. Tom says

    Posted on 11/16 at 2:51 pm

    So simple to make and tastes so fresh!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/15 at 8:32 am

      Hi Tom! SO happy you enjoyed it!

      Reply

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I’m Erin. Creator of Erin Lives Whole, a food blog with delicious and easy healthy recipes that will leave you feeling good. We’ve got everything from wholesome baked goods to comforting savory dishes. I can’t wait to see what you whip up! Read More...

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