Would you believe that we actually made and photographed this recipe last year and are just now getting to posting it?! I cook Thanksgiving dinner each year and I was looking for help, so I asked my eldest daughter (the one who made the falafel) to come up with a healthy cranberry sauce recipe that didn’t include sugar. Because have you ever looked at the ingredient list of canned cranberry sauce (see below) or the sugar content of most homemade recipes? It’s outrageous! The result is a thick, wholesome cranberry sauce made with real ingredients that you can feel good about serving on Thanksgiving, Christmas, or anytime at all!

What makes a healthy cranberry sauce?

Below is an image from Ocean Spray’s Whole Cranberry Sauce (affiliate link). Notice the ingredients; the second one is high fructose corn syrup. And the last is corn syrup! Surely there can be a better way to enjoy this holiday staple without all of these two add-ins. Now here’s the thing – my philosophy truly is that sugar is sugar is sugar. By this, I mean that regardless of what type of sugar it is, it should be enjoyed in moderation. All sugars are recognized as sugar to your body, so we need to be cognizant of how much we are eating.

With that being said, when opting for what type of sugar to use, I always choose maple syrup or honey (since they are both unrefined options) or coconut sugar because it is low on the glycemic index and very low in fructose and glucose. So my suggestion to Jaiden (my eldest) was to make a healthy cranberry sauce recipe with honey. And let me tell you, it’s a winner!

Making this healthy cranberry sauce recipe

This is truly a recipe that your kids can make, obviously using supervision if or when needed. I do always try to be in or near the kitchen when my kids are cooking, and provide assistance as they require. At 14, she has had lots of experience cooking on the stove, which is SUCH a powerful #momwin for me, and so good for her confidence. I love it!

It takes honestly 20-25 minutes from start to finish to make this recipe, which includes just 8 ingredients cooked in a pot on the stove. Let it sit and thicken up, and you have a healthy, colorful much-loved accompaniment to your holiday dinner (or leftover lunch, or whatever it may be!) Once it cools, store it in a canning jar for a pretty presentation.

5 from 7 votes

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Healthy Cranberry Sauce with Honey

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

10 mins

Total Time

20 mins

 

Refined sugar-free cranberry sauce made with all natural ingredients and sweetened with honey.

Course: Side, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: 6

Author: Jaiden Smith

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 12 ounces fresh cranberries
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice from approximately 1/2 of orange
• zest of 1 orange
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp allspice
• 1/8 tsp cloves

Instructions

1. Bring 1 cup of water to a boil in a medium - large pot. Add cranberries and reduce heat to medium, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes (until most of the cranberries have popped).

2. Turn heat off once cranberries have popped to your liking (we leave a few in tact). Add remaining ingredients, stir to combine. Let sit until sauce thickens (minimum of 30 minutes). 

3. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Healthy Cranberry Sauce with Honey

Amount Per Serving (0 g)

Calories 0

% Daily Value*

Fat 0g0%

Saturated Fat 0g0%

Trans Fat 0g

Polyunsaturated Fat 0g

Monounsaturated Fat 0g

Cholesterol 0mg0%

Sodium 0mg0%

Potassium 0mg0%

Carbohydrates 0g0%

Fiber 0g0%

Sugar 0g0%

Protein 0g0%

Vitamin A 0IU0%

Vitamin C 0mg0%

Calcium 0mg0%

Iron 0mg0%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

How to enjoy this healthy cranberry sauce

1. Aside your turkey in a holiday meal (duh!);)
2. Toast. Need we say more?
3. Sweeten your yogurt with it – a great way to control how much sugar is added. Sweeten to your liking!
4. Add a dollop to your morning oatmeal.
5. Make homemade whipped cream and at the end, whip some cranberry sauce in to make it deliciously pink.
6. As a topping to a turkey sandwich, as shown above.
7. Top a gluten free pizza crust with cranberry sauce, brie and pears for a festive appetizer.

Have you tried making your own cranberry sauce? I’d love to hear how you use it, and how you like it in the comments below! Happy holidays!

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