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Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce is a bright, sweet-tart holiday side with plenty of whole cranberry texture. It comes together in about 15 minutes and thickens as it cools, making it easy to prepare ahead for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Serve this keto cranberry sauce with Pressure Cooker Turkey Breast or Air Fryer Turkey Tenderloin. Add Keto Cornbread Stuffing, Keto Green Bean Casserole, and Keto Gravy for a complete keto Thanksgiving plate.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in about 15 minutes: Everything cooks in one saucepan with very little prep.
- Just four ingredients: It is an easy homemade alternative to cranberry sauce made with regular sugar.
- Easy to make ahead: The sauce thickens as it cools and can be refrigerated until you are ready to serve it.
- Works with frozen or fresh cranberries: Frozen cranberries are convenient and easier to find throughout the year.
- Sweet-tart orange flavor: Use orange extract or fresh orange zest, depending on what you have available.
Ingredients Needed
Here is what you need to make this sugar free cranberry sauce:
- Frozen cranberries: You can add these directly to the pan without thawing. Fresh cranberries also work.
- Monk fruit and erythritol blend: I use a granulated 1:1 sugar substitute.
- Water: Helps the cranberries simmer and release their juices.
- Orange extract or orange zest: Either option adds a light orange flavor without requiring orange juice.
The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
How to Make Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce
- Simmer until the cranberries burst: Add the ingredients to a medium saucepan and stir. Cook until most of the cranberries have popped and released their juices. Frozen cranberries take about 10 minutes, while fresh berries may need a little longer.
- Adjust the texture: Press some of the softened berries against the side of the pan for a smoother sauce, or leave more of them whole for a chunkier texture.
- Let it cool: Remove the pan from the heat while the sauce is still slightly loose. It will thicken as it reaches room temperature and continue to firm up in the refrigerator.
Tips for the Best Cranberry Sauce
Let It Cool Before Judging the Texture
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Cranberry sauce looks thinner while it is hot. Once most of the berries have burst and the liquid looks saucy, remove the pan from the heat and give it time to cool. The sauce will become noticeably thicker at room temperature and develop even more structure after it has been refrigerated.
Adjust the Sweetness to Your Taste
Cranberries are naturally tart, and sugar substitutes can vary in sweetness. Taste the sauce after the cranberries have softened, then add a little more sweetener if needed. Keep in mind that the flavor may taste slightly sweeter once the sauce has cooled.
Make Ahead and Storage
- Make ahead: Prepare the cranberry sauce a day or two before your holiday meal. Let it cool, then refrigerate it in an airtight container.
- Store: Keep leftovers in the refrigerator for up to five days.
- Serve: Enjoy the sauce chilled, at room temperature, or gently warmed.
- Before serving: Give the sauce a quick stir after refrigeration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Fresh and frozen cranberries both work in this recipe. Fresh cranberries may need a little more cooking time before they soften and burst.
No. Add the frozen cranberries directly to the saucepan. They will soften and release their juices as they cook.
Yes. This cranberry sauce thickens as the berries break down and continues to thicken as it cools. It makes a spoonable whole-berry sauce rather than a firm, molded jellied sauce.
The sauce will look looser while it is warm. Remove it from the heat once most of the berries have burst, then let it cool before judging the final consistency.
Yes. This is a great make-ahead holiday side because the texture improves as it cools and chills. Store it covered in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve it.
What to Serve With Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce
This low carb cranberry sauce adds a bright, sweet-tart contrast to savory holiday dishes. For a complete keto Thanksgiving plate, serve it with:
- Pressure Cooker Turkey Breast or Air Fryer Turkey Tenderloin
- Keto Cornbread Stuffing
- Keto Green Bean Casserole
- Keto Gravy
You can also add Cauliflower Mac and Cheese when you want another creamy side for your holiday meal.
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Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce
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Ingredients
- 10 oz Whole Cranberries, I used frozen, but fresh works well. You can use up to 12 oz.
- 1 cup Water
- 1/2 cup Granular Sweetener
- 1/4 tsp orange extract, optional, or 1 tbsp orange zest
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a medium sauce pan over medium-low heat.
- Stir to combine.
- Cook on medium heat until the cranberries pop (about 10 minutes).
- Allow the cranberry sauce to cool before using. It will thicken as it cools.
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Recipe Notes
- Fresh cranberries: Use the same amount. They may take a few minutes longer to soften and burst.
- Sweetener: This recipe was tested with a granulated 1:1 monk fruit and erythritol blend.
- Orange flavor: Use orange extract or fresh orange zest, depending on what you have.
- Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to five days. The sauce will thicken more as it cools and chills.
Nutrition Details
The nutrition facts come from entering the recipe ingredients into a database of food ingredients. They may vary for any recipe based on the exact product used.
