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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.
Featured with this 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
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
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:
- Get back to basics with this great post about how to cook the perfect Thanksgiving turkey.
- Of course, you’ll want some amazing gravy to go with that turkey. You can find it in Mom’s Famous Turkey Gravy recipe.
- One of the best parts of the Thanksgiving dinner — the homemade rolls!
- If you have leftovers, here is the perfect sandwich to use them up — Pilgrim Sandwiches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! This cranberry sauce is a great option with only 7 grams of sugar per serving.
Yes, you just have to boil it long enough to cook out the excess liquid.
Yes, definitely. Use the same measurements as frozen.
Yes, there is no gluten in this recipe.
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
Low Sugar Cranberry Sauce
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.
- Take off the heat and stir in the butter.
- Serve warm in a serving dish or bowl.
Notes
- 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.
Could fresh cranberries be used? If so, the same amount as frozen?
Yes, fresh and frozen both work. Use the same amount.
Thanks for the great low sugar recipe. Every calorie saved during the holidays is a blessing.
Any suggestions for substituting the Truvia?
You can use any artificial sugar substitute!
wow cranberry sauce is one of my favorite things for the holidays like the fact you are suggesting a low sugar option.
This sauce is so flavorful. Love the fruit options in it. Amazing recipes to plan.
This looks like a must have on the Thanksgiving table!
Ooooo, raspberries?!! I love this side dish already!
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!
Looks fabulous! Nice gathering of flavors. Thanks! Now to find your 530 cal Thanksgiving menu as the hotlink isn’t working.
You can find the 530 calorie Thanksgiving menu on the front page of our website http://www.favfamilyrecipes.com. The link is also fixed in the Low Sugar Cranberry Sauce recipe post. Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!