Low Sugar Cranberry Sauce

5 from 8 votes
12 Comments

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Our Low Sugar Cranberry Sauce is less than half the calories as canned sauce (only 12 calories per tablespoon). It is loaded with the flavors of cranberries, apples, oranges, and raspberries.

Side view of a bowl of Low Sugar Cranberry sauce, a plate, a knife and rolls. On the plate there is a roll cut open with cranberry sauce spread on top.
Featured with this Recipe
  1. Ingredients in Low Sugar Cranberry Sauce
  2. Cooking the Cranberry Sauce
  3. Mix it Up
  4. What to Serve with Low Sugar Cranberry Sauce
  5. Thanksgiving Dinner Tricks and Tips
  6. Frequently Asked Questions
  7. More Cranberry Recipes
  8. How to Make Low Sugar Cranberry Sauce
  9. Low Sugar Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Who says things have to be higher in sugar in order to be delicious? When it comes to one of the stars of the show on your Thanksgiving table, this Low Sugar Cranberry Sauce Recipe is a great alternative. Now, you can cut unnecessary sugars/calories out of your Thanksgiving dinner, leaving room for more calories in another food. This recipe yields 3 cups.

Ingredients in Low Sugar Cranberry Sauce

Keep the ingredients for this cranberry mixture in the fridge and whip it up anytime to go with all sorts of meals. Here’s all you need:

  • Cranberries – one and a half cups of frozen cranberries. You can also use fresh cranberries if they’re in season.
  • Apples – two small, diced apples of any kind. I like using Fuji, Gala or Honeycrisp apples.
  • Oranges – half a cup, cut and segmented. I like to have fresh oranges on hand, especially during the fall months. This is a perfect recipe to use up those cutie oranges that your kids love at lunchtime.
  • Raspberries – two cups, fresh or frozen.
  • Maple syrup – one quarter cup. You can use a sugar free variety to keep the sugar count low in this recipe.
  • Truvia – most artificial sweeteners can be measured cup for cup just like sugar. Stevia, Truvia or Splenda are all great options.
  • Lemon juice – two tablespoons, either fresh lemon juice or from a bottle.
  • Butter – one tablespoon unsalted butter
Ingredients for Low Sugar Cranberry sauce are laid out on the table. This includes chopped apples and oranges, cranberries, raspberries, lemon juice, maple syrup, butter, and truvia.


Cooking the Cranberry Sauce

Making this homemade cranberry sauce recipe is very easy! Simply add everything but the butter to a medium saucepan or small pot over medium heat, and simmer until most of the liquid has reduced and it has the perfect thickness and texture. Take off the heat and stir in the butter. Serve warm in a serving bowl.

Mix it Up

Not only does this Low Sugar Cranberry Sauce hit the mark as far as your health, it is loaded with vitamin C and adds so much more complexity of flavors to this traditional food. I love the addition of all the other fruit. The raspberries, apples, and oranges just add an extra delicious flavor! I actually made this recipe with fresh cranberries (because it is what I had on hand) and it turned out perfectly. So, frozen or fresh, either works great. I guess just use whatever you have on hand or whatever is cheapest at your grocery store! For added flavor try incorporating any of your favorite spices:

  • Cinnamon
  • Cloves
  • Nutmeg
  • Allspice
  • Vanilla extract
  • Honey
  • Orange zest
  • Fresh orange juice
Low Sugar Cranberry Sauce in a saucepan that has been thickened and cooked on the stove. Pieces of oranges, apples, cranberries and raspberries can be seen within the sauce.

What to Serve with Low Sugar Cranberry Sauce

Of course you can serve this glorious sugar-free cranberry sauce on Thanksgiving with the usual turkey and fixings, but there are all sorts of ways to use up leftover cranberry sauce in the days following the holiday meal:

  • Mix with your favorite Greek yogurt and some granola
  • Use as a jam to spread over toast
  • Add a spoonful to your morning oatmeal
  • Top pancakes or waffles with this healthy cranberry sauce recipe
  • Use it as an ice cream topping.
  • Add a little to brussels sprouts or even sweet potatoes

Thanksgiving Dinner Tricks and Tips

When it comes to fixing the biggest meal of the year, we are never surprised to find people who face the task with a certain amount of trepidation. We understand. It’s a lot of pressure. Certain traditions. Everyone has a different favorite food. It’s a lot to plan out if you are the one at the helm with guests seeking vegan, low carb or keto options. But of course, we have loads of recipes to help with all that.

The Low Sugar Cranberry Sauce is another tasty recipe from the executive chef at Fitness Ridge, Chef Sam. If you want to see more tasty low-calorie Thanksgiving recipes, check out our 530-Calorie Thanksgiving Dinner Menu! That way you can make the whole meal with a healthier outcome in mind.

However, some people prefer to stick with traditions and get back on the health bandwagon the day after Thanksgiving — or later! Either way, there are a few basics you definitely want to keep in mind:

Side view of a bowl containing Low Sugar Cranberry Sauce. Orange slices, cinnamon sticks, raspberries and rolls are also seen scattered across the table.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can diabetics have cranberry sauce?

Yes! This cranberry sauce is a great option with only 7 grams of sugar per serving.

Will cranberry sauce thicken without sugar?

Yes, you just have to boil it long enough to cook out the excess liquid.

Can fresh cranberries be used?

Yes, definitely. Use the same measurements as frozen.

Is this cranberry sauce gluten-free?

Yes, there is no gluten in this recipe.

What do you eat with cranberry sauce?

We eat cranberry sauce with roasted turkey, on sandwiches, on pancakes, over cream cheese and with crackers as an appetizer, or as a cheesecake or dessert topping. The tart taste works well with a number of dishes.

READ NEXT: Our BEST Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes

More Cranberry Recipes

Cranberries aren’t just for serving alongside sweet potato casserole and green beans. You can have delicious dinners, sides and even sweets using this tart fruit:

How to Make Low Sugar Cranberry Sauce

Side view of a bowl of Low Sugar Cranberry sauce, a plate, a knife and rolls. On the plate there is a roll cut open with cranberry sauce spread on top.

Low Sugar Cranberry Sauce

5 from 8 votes
Our Low Sugar Cranberry Sauce is less than half the calories as canned sauce, 12 calories per tablespoon. Made with cranberries, apples, oranges, and raspberries.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 24

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups cranberries frozen
  • 2 cups apples small diced
  • ½ cup oranges cut and segmented
  • 2 cups raspberries
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • ¼ cup Truvia
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon butter

Instructions

  • Add everything but the butter to a sauté pan and cook until most of the liquid has reduced.
    Ingredients for Low Sugar Cranberry Sauce are sitting inside a sauce pan including chopped apples, chopped oranges, cranberries, raspberries, truvia, lemon juice, and maple syrup.
  • Take off the heat and stir in the butter.
    Cooked low sugar cranberry sauce in a saucepan with a small slice of butter on top. Orange slices and raspberries are scattered across table.
  • Serve warm in a serving dish or bowl.
    Side view of a bowl containing Low Sugar Cranberry Sauce. Orange slices, cinnamon sticks, raspberries and rolls are also seen scattered across the table.

Notes

Recipe Tips:
  • You can definitely test different fruits in this recipe. The raspberries, apples, and oranges just add an extra delicious flavor!
  • You can use fresh or frozen cranberries, either works great. Use whatever you have on hand or whatever is cheapest at your grocery store!
  • For some added extra flavor, try adding cinnamon, cloves, vanilla extract, honey, or orange zest.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 29kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 0.2gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 4mgPotassium: 47mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 36IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 9mgIron: 0.1mg

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About the author

Erica Walker

Erica lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband, Jared, an attorney, and her three beautiful girls. Beyond the world of recipes, she loves adventuring with everything from kayaking, to cruising, to snowboarding and taking the family along for the thrill ride.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    wow cranberry sauce is one of my favorite things for the holidays like the fact you are suggesting a low sugar option.

  2. 5 stars
    This looks like a great cranberry sauce. I have never made it before and was looking for a lower in sugar recipe. This one is the one I am going to try!

  3. 5 stars
    Looks fabulous! Nice gathering of flavors. Thanks! Now to find your 530 cal Thanksgiving menu as the hotlink isn’t working.