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Home » Recipes » Dinner » Sauce + Seasoning + Condiments » How-To Make Cranberry Sauce

How-To Make Cranberry Sauce

Published: Nov 12, 2012 · Last Modified: October 29, 2019 by Dani

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Everyone has their Thanksgiving staples that they are simply unwilling to go without. For some it’s mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, or green bean casserole, but for me, it’s definitely cranberry sauce (well that and turkey, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie!).

I don’t think it’s fair (or truthful) to call this or any form of cranberry sauce ‘sugar-free’ because in order to round out the tartness of fresh cranberries there needs to be some form of sweetener involved.

Even this recipe that is sweetened with honey weighs in at nearly 20 grams of sugar per quarter cup serving (the equivalent of nearly 2 tbsp of sugar) feeding the point that labeling it ‘sugar-free’ doesn’t work.

However – there is a benefit to naturally sweetening your cranberry sauce with honey, opposed to using refined white sugar is that is that natural sweeteners are gentler on the body than refined sugars and do offer trace amounts of vitamins and minerals (hey -every bit counts!).

The orange zest and cinnamon give the sauce yet another layer of flavor and the ginger adds a nice subtle edge that only ginger can provide!

I like my cranberry sauce to maintain the ‘tart integrity’ that cranberries naturally have so I tend to go a bit lighter on the sweetener.  If you prefer your cranberry sauce a little sweeter, simply add an extra tablespoon or two of the honey.

How do you like to sweeten your cranberry sauce?  Do you think using honey or agave is worth the effort?  I’m curious to hear your thoughts!

Print Recipe
4.78 from 18 votes

Naturally Sweetened Cranberry Sauce Spiked With Ginger

Course: DIET, DINNER, sauce + seasoning + condiments
Cuisine: American, Christmas, gluten free, Thanksgiving, vegetarian
Author: Dani Spies
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Total Time20 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 65kcal

Ingredients

  • 12 oz. bag of cranberries rinsed (about 3 cups)
  • 1 cup of cold water
  • 1/2 cup raw honey
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • The zest of 1 orange 1 tsp.
  • 2 tsp. of grated ginger

Instructions

  • Combine water, cranberries, honey, cinnamon stick, orange zest, and ginger in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce the heat and simmer for about 12-15 minutes or until all the cranberries have exploded and you have a nice thick, jelly-like, cranberry sauce.
  • Cool and store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to serve. Enjoy!
  • Makes 8 - 1/4 cup servings

Nutrition

Calories: 65kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 11mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Gluten Free, Recipes, Sauce + Seasoning + Condiments, Vegetarian, Video Christmas, Cranberries, Cranberry Sauce, Ginger, Gluten Free, Honey, Oranges, Thanksgiving, Vegetarian

About Dani

Dani Spies is the founder and host of Clean & Delicious; a weekly cooking show on YouTube and a healthy eating blog that celebrates real, whole foods! She takes a holistic approach to health and wellness and is loved for her approachable, down to earth style both in and out of the kitchen.

Learn MoreWork With Me

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Amy Esacove says

    November 13, 2012 at 10:37 am

    5 stars
    this looks divine!! Cant wait to try! I will of course be making mashed cauliflower this year, as usual. 🙂

    Reply
  2. Sabrina says

    November 19, 2012 at 12:51 pm

    5 stars
    Can I use frozen cranberries?

    Reply
    • Dani says

      November 20, 2012 at 1:46 pm

      5 stars
      I’ve never tried but I would think that would work just fine.

      Reply
  3. Elana says

    November 8, 2013 at 5:36 am

    5 stars
    I made your recipe last week. Best cranberry sauce I have ever eaten – plus I love that there is no refined sugar in it. This recipe is a keeper! Thanks Dani.

    Reply
    • Dani says

      November 8, 2013 at 1:36 pm

      5 stars
      So glad to hear it. Thanks for letting me know!

      Reply
  4. Yani says

    November 25, 2014 at 4:10 pm

    5 stars
    Totally delicious. Love that the recipe is easy to make and there is no refined sugar. The ginger also adds an amazing kick! 🙂 Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  5. Xochitl says

    November 27, 2014 at 2:37 pm

    5 stars
    Have tried making cranberry sauce before, not bad, just plain cranberries and sugar, however, this time around, I’m venturing off on adding some kick to it. I don’t have ginger so I’ll try your recipe with out it and let you know later on how it turned out.

    Thank you and happy cooking! 🙂

    Best regards,

    Reply
  6. Avery McGinn says

    November 27, 2014 at 2:58 pm

    5 stars
    I am trying your recipe right now. I am curious if you have also tried this with agave and how much agave syrup you would use if you substitute it for the 1/2 cup of honey. Also a half cup?

    Reply
  7. Sherry says

    November 20, 2016 at 11:45 am

    5 stars
    Can we use maple syrup instead of honey dani? 
    Thamks

    Reply
    • Dani says

      November 20, 2016 at 11:31 pm

      5 stars
      Definitely 🙂

      Reply
  8. Sherry says

    November 22, 2016 at 11:01 am

    5 stars
    Thank u
    Happy thanksgiving

    Reply

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I’m a Health, Wellness & Weight Loss Coach, Mom of two, and the Founder of Clean & Delicious®. I’ll show you how to make healthy eating CRAZY-easy and insanely DELICIOUS!

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