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You are here: Home / Sauces, Spreads and Dips / Healthy Cranberry Sauce (Refined Sugar-Free)

Healthy Cranberry Sauce (Refined Sugar-Free)

October 9, 2019 Updated: November 3, 2021 By Leanne 50 Comments

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Pin image for Cranberry Sauce with chia seeds.
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Healthy Cranberry Sauce is refined sugar-free with hints of orange and blackberries. It’s naturally sweetened with maple syrup and thickened with chia seeds. You’ll want to add this healthy cranberry sauce to your holiday table!

*This post was originally published in October 2017 and has been updated to include adjustments to the recipe as well as new text and photos.

Healthy Cranberry Sauce in a black bowl on a blue surface with cranberries in the background.

This weekend is the Canadian Thanksgiving and I have turkey on my mind! And where there’s turkey, there’s usually cranberry sauce. At least in our house. For as as long as I can remember, cranberry sauce has been a part of every turkey dinner.

Of course, when I was growing up, it was canned cranberry sauce. And I totally get the convenience. It’s tart, tasty, easy and inexpensive. I definitely ate my fair share of it over the years.

But if you have a few minutes to spare, you can whip up a batch of homemade cranberry sauce that will definitely please all the cranberry sauce lovers at your Christmas, Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving table. And the recipe I’m sharing will keep it healthy without losing the tart and tangy taste everybody enjoys.

Overhead view of ingredients to make refined sugar-free cranberry sauce.

Ingredients

  • Cranberries
  • Blackberries
  • Orange zest and juice
  • Maple syrup
  • Chia seeds
  • Water

Ingredients to make healthy cranberry sauce in a large pot.

How to make naturally sweetened cranberry sauce

  • In a medium-sized pot, add all of your ingredients, except the chia seeds, and bring to a low boil. Let simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the fruit has softened.
  • Remove the fruit mixture from the heat and mash with a fork or potato masher. Mashing the fruit releases all the flavour and really brings out the tartness of the cranberries.
  • Stir in the chia seeds. Cover and let sit for 20 minutes. The chia seeds will plump up and thicken the sauce.
  • Let the sauce cool to room temperature and then store in an airtight container or glass jar in the refrigerator until ready to use. It will continue to thicken as it chills.

Overhead view of softened fruit for the cranberry sauce in a large pot.

Can you use frozen cranberries?

Absolutely! I’ve made this cranberry sauce with both fresh and frozen cranberries. If using frozen, you can let them defrost first and cook the sauce according to the recipe directions. If you don’t defrost them first, you’ll just need to add a few minutes to the cooking time to allow the cranberries to soften.

How long will homemade cranberry sauce last?

Homemade cranberry sauce with chia seeds should last in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. You can also freeze the sauce for up to two months. Just defrost in the refrigerator overnight before using.

Overhead view of softened fruit for the cranberry sauce being mashed in a large pot.

Key recipe tips

  • For a slightly different flavour, use lemon juice and zest instead of orange.
  • If you don’t have fresh blackberries, you can use frozen. Just add a few minutes to the cooking time.
  • If you don’t need this cranberry sauce to be vegan, you can use honey instead of maple syrup.
  • To thin out the cranberry sauce, use fewer chia seeds or add more water. To thicken it, add some more chia seeds or use a little less water.

Overhead view of healthy cranberry sauce in a large pot.

How to use leftover cranberry sauce

If you have any sauce left after slathering it all over your turkey dinner, here’s some other ways to enjoy it:

  • Spread it on a turkey/chicken sandwich or add it to a toasted sandwich with some brie and apple slices. So good!
  • Use it like a chia jam and smear a thick layer on some toast with nut butter.
  • Pair it with some yogurt and pumpkin granola for a fun fall breakfast.

Up-close view of healthy cranberry sauce in a small black bowl.

Other Thanksgiving recipes

  • Air Fryer Butternut Squash Home Fries are seasoned with herbs, spices and maple syrup and comes together quickly in the air fryer.
  • Roasted Root Vegetable Salad is a hearty vegetarian side dish topped with goat cheese and pumpkin seeds.
  • Roasted Brussels Sprouts are sweet and savoury with fresh cranberries and salty prosciutto. They make a super easy addition to your holiday menu.
  • Refined Sugar-Free Cranberry Sauce is a healthier spin on a holiday essential. It’s sweetened with maple syrup and thickened with chia seeds.
  • Mashed Acorn Squash is a simple side dish that’s sweet and savoury and makes a delicious alternative to mashed potatoes.
  • Roasted Red Pepper and Butternut Squash Soup is a warm and cozy side dish (or appetizer), with a hint of smokey flavour and spices.
  • Whole Wheat Stuffing with whole wheat bread, kielbasa sausage, tart cranberries, juicy apple and fresh herbs!

If you make this Healthy Cranberry Sauce recipe, I would love to hear what you think in the comments below!

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Healthy Cranberry Sauce in a small black bowl on a dark surface.

Healthy Cranberry Sauce (Refined Sugar-Free)

★★★★★ 5 from 21 reviews
  • Author: Leanne
  • Prep Time: 5
  • Cook Time: 30
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 1 1/2 cups
  • Category: Sauces and Spreads
  • Method: Cook
  • Cuisine: American, Canadian
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Description

Healthy Cranberry Sauce is refined sugar-free with hints of orange and blackberries. It’s naturally sweetened with maple syrup and thickened with chia seeds. You’ll want to add this healthy cranberry sauce to your holiday table!


Ingredients

  • 2 cup cranberries, fresh or frozen
  • 1 cup blackberries, fresh or frozen
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 large orange, zested and juiced
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup chia seeds

Instructions

  1. In a medium-sized pot, add all of your ingredients, except the chia seeds, and bring to a low boil. Let simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the fruit has softened.
  2. Remove the fruit mixture from the heat and mash with a fork or potato masher.
  3. Stir in the chia seeds. Cover and let sit for 20 minutes. The chia seeds will plump up and thicken the sauce.
  4. Let the sauce cool to room temperature and then store in an airtight container or glass jar in the refrigerator until ready to use. It will continue to thicken as it chills.

Notes

  1. For a slightly different flavour, use lemon juice and zest instead of orange.
  2. If you don’t have fresh blackberries, you can use frozen. Just add a few minutes to the cooking time.
  3. If you don’t need this cranberry sauce to be vegan, you can use honey instead of maple syrup.
  4. To thin out the cranberry sauce, use fewer chia seeds or add more water. To thicken it, add some more chia seeds or use less water.
  5. This cranberry sauce should last in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. You can also freeze it for up to two months. Just defrost in the refrigerator overnight before using.

Keywords: naturally sweetened cranberry sauce, refined sugar-free cranberry sauce

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Filed Under: All Recipes, Cranberry Recipes, Fall Recipes, Holiday Recipes, Sauces, Spreads and Dips, Vegan

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Byron E Thomas says

    October 16, 2019 at 12:46 pm

    This might be a cranberry sauce I’ll actually like! I’m not a huge fan of cranberry sauce because it’s usually a sweet, jello-like mess. This one looks like a spreadable jam. Gorgeous! Can’t wait to try it!!

    Reply
    • Leanne says

      October 21, 2019 at 11:12 pm

      It’s totally like a spreadable jam! I’ve been adding it to my PB toast for the past few weeks! Thanks Byron!

      Reply
  2. Stephanie says

    October 15, 2019 at 6:35 pm

    I love the addition of blackberries in this recipe – it’s so unique and flavorful! We used this on some pork loin my husband cooked and it was delicious!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Leanne says

      October 31, 2019 at 8:49 am

      That’s awesome! I’ll have to try it with pork! Thanks Stephanie!

      Reply
  3. Leslie says

    October 15, 2019 at 3:05 pm

    I have never made cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving, but this might have to be the year that I try to. I really like your recipe for this!

    Reply
    • Leanne says

      October 31, 2019 at 8:49 am

      I highly recommend homemade! Thanks Leslie!

      Reply
  4. SHANIKA says

    October 14, 2019 at 2:09 am

    This Cranberry sauce looks perfect! I love how minimal the ingredients used are and how easy it is to make! I’m definitely trying this for Holiday season!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Leanne says

      October 31, 2019 at 8:48 am

      Love to hear that! Thanks Shanika!

      Reply
  5. Sara says

    October 14, 2019 at 1:33 am

    What a perfect side dish for Thanksgiving this year! I love that it’s natural, and that I can adjust my own flavors. I’m so excited to try it out!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Leanne says

      October 31, 2019 at 8:48 am

      Hope you like it! Thanks Sara!

      Reply
  6. Nicole says

    October 13, 2019 at 11:57 pm

    You added chia seeds for extra protein! Good deal!

    Reply
    • Leanne says

      October 31, 2019 at 8:47 am

      For sure!

      Reply
  7. Jennifer says

    October 13, 2019 at 11:52 pm

    Looks amazing – can’t wait to try this, especially with the blackberries (love them). The fact that I used to eat cranberry sauce from the can makes me shudder now 🤣

    Reply
    • Leanne says

      October 31, 2019 at 8:47 am

      Thanks Jennifer!

      Reply
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Meet Leanne

Hey there! I'm Leanne and welcome to Crumb Top Baking. I'm a self-taught baker, home cook and food photographer, and I'm passionate about sharing recipes that help people eat a little healthier and find balance in the recipes they prepare for themselves and their families. Learn more about me and what you'll find on Crumb Top Baking....

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