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    Home » Dips & Sauces » Sugar-Free Cranberry Sauce

    Sugar-Free Cranberry Sauce

    Last updated: Nov 25, 2022 · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

    Jump to Recipe Card

    Cranberry sauce is incredibly easy to make at home - it's ready in just 30 minutes, and this included a rest time of 10 minutes.

    This tasty sugar-free version is sweetened with stevia and flavored with vanilla extract. You can use a powdered sweetener if you prefer.

    Keto sugar-free cranberry sauce served in a white bowl with a white napkin.

    If you've never tried making homemade cranberry sauce, you're in for a pleasant surprise. It's a truly easy recipe to make - it requires just three ingredients and is ready in about 30 minutes.

    This particular version is sweetened with stevia. The tartness of the fruit does come through, so I recommend tasting it when it's done and adding more sweetener if you want it sweeter.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Expert tip
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Variations
    • Serving suggestions
    • Storing leftovers
    • Related recipes
    • Recipe card

    Ingredients

    You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this tasty sauce. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

    • Water: You'll need ¼ cup of water for this recipe. Some recipes call for orange juice, but water is just fine.
    • Sugar-free sweetener: Either powdered erythritol or stevia. I usually use stevia glycerite.
    • Vanilla extract: Try to use the real thing - pure vanilla extract - and not the artificially flavored stuff. I feel that in a simple recipe such as this, it does make a difference.
    • Fresh cranberries: I use a standard 12-oz bag. You can use frozen cranberries if that's more convenient.
    The ingredients needed to make a keto cranberry sauce.

    Instructions

    Making sugar-free cranberry sauce is surprisingly easy. There's really no reason to use canned sauce! The recipe card below provides the full instructions. Here are the basic steps:

    • Your first step is to add the water, sweetener, and vanilla to a medium saucepan.
    • The next step is to add the cranberries. Heat the mixture over medium heat, bringing it to a simmer, then lower the heat to medium-low.
    • Simmer until the cranberries are soft and starting to burst, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and chill to allow the sauce to thicken.
    A six-photo collage showing the steps for making sugar-free cranberry sauce.

    Expert tip

    If using a granulated sweetener instead of stevia, make sure to use a powdered sweetener to prevent it from crystallizing as the sauce cools down.

    Frequently asked questions

    Should I serve cranberry sauce hot or cold?

    This sauce is typically served at room temperature. Cooling it, even just slightly, allows it to thicken, so its texture improves as it cools.

    There's one exception though. Although I do serve this sauce on Thanksgiving, as tradition dictates, personally I'm not a fan of eating it with turkey. My favorite way to enjoy it? I like to pour it while still warm over cool, creamy Greek yogurt. It's really good!

    Will the sauce thicken if I use stevia?

    I used to think that you absolutely needed powdered sugar for it to thicken, but you actually don't. The sauce will thicken very nicely - as you can see in the video below - thanks to the natural pectin released by the fruit as they cook.

    Can I use frozen cranberries?

    Yes, absolutely. They work in this recipe just as well as fresh ones, and you can cook them from frozen. There's no need to thaw them first.

    Variations

    Here are a couple of ideas for changing up this recipe:

    • Orange zest, added to the water mixture, greatly enhances the flavor of the sauce. And since we're trying to keep this recipe keto, it's a better option than using orange juice instead of water, which is very tasty but adds quite a bit of sugar.
    • Some people like to add a cinnamon stick. Personally, I'm not a fan, but if you think you might enjoy the flavor combination, go ahead and give it a try!

    Serving suggestions

    Traditionally served at Thanksgiving as a condiment for the turkey, one of my favorite ways of serving this tasty sauce is actually warm, as a topping for plain Greek yogurt. It's also excellent as a topping for this keto cheesecake. And occasionally I serve it as a topping for these coconut flour pancakes.

    Storing leftovers

    You can keep this sauce in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 4 days. It keeps very well, actually. It tastes just as good on the fourth day as it does on the first.

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    Sugar-free cranberry sauce served in a white bowl.

    Recipe card

    Sugar-Free Keto Cranberry Sauce.
    4.97 from 81 votes
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    Keto Sugar-Free Cranberry Sauce

    This tasty keto cranberry sauce is sweetened with stevia and is ready in just 30 minutes!
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time10 mins
    Rest time10 mins
    Total Time30 mins
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 26kcal
    Author: Vered DeLeeuw
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    INGREDIENTS

    • ¼ cup water
    • 1 tablespoon stevia glycerite (equals 1 cup sugar)
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 12 oz fresh cranberries

    INSTRUCTIONS

    • In a medium saucepan, mix the water with the stevia and vanilla extract.
    • Add the cranberries. Bring to a simmer over medium heat (this should take about 3 minutes).
    • Lower the heat to medium-low to keep a consistent simmer. Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries are soft and starting to burst, about 10 minutes.
    • Remove the saucepan from the heat. Taste the sauce and decide if its level of tartness suits you or if you’d like to add more stevia. I sometimes mix in an additional 1 teaspoon of stevia at this point (which equals ⅓ cup sugar).
    • Cool to room temperature before serving.

    WATCH THE VIDEO:

    NOTES

    If using a granulated sweetener instead of stevia, use a powdered sweetener to prevent it from crystallizing as the sauce cools down.
    Here are a few ideas for changing up this recipe:
    • You can use frozen cranberries if you can't get fresh ones.
    • Orange zest, added to the water mixture, greatly enhances the flavor of the sauce. And since we're trying to keep this cranberry sauce keto, it's a better option than using orange juice instead of water, which is very tasty but adds quite a bit of sugar.
    • Some people like adding a cinnamon stick. Personally, I'm not a fan, but if you think you might enjoy the flavor combination, go ahead and give it a try!

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    DISCLAIMERSMost of our recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read our Terms of Use carefully before using any of our recipes.

    NUTRITION PER SERVING

    Serving: 0.25cup | Calories: 26kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Sodium: 1mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g
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    About the Author

    Vered Deleeuw Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

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    Healthy Recipes Blog was founded in 2011 by Vered Deleeuw. It features real-food recipes with a focus on low-carb and gluten-free ingredients. All recipes are nutritionally reviewed by a Registered Dietitian. Contact us at HealthyRecipesBlog@gmail.com.


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