Are you looking for a delicious, healthy cranberry sauce for your next holiday meal? This sugar free cranberry sauce recipe offers all the flavor of traditional cranberry sauce but without the added sugars.
Perfect for those on a low-carb diet, keto diet, or anyone wanting a healthy alternative to the canned stuff. With a touch of orange zest and your favorite sugar substitutes, this easy-to-make cranberry sauce is the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving table!

I have to admit, cranberry sauce has never been my favorite part of holiday meals. It always felt like something I had to make, not something I truly enjoyed. But, whether it’s Thanksgiving or Christmas, cranberry sauce is one of those thanksgiving recipes that you just can’t leave off the table. It’s a staple, and over the years, I’ve realized how much everyone else loves it—even if I’m not a fan of the canned stuff.
That’s when I decided to work on a sugar-free cranberry sauce recipe that would satisfy everyone’s cravings while keeping it healthy and lower in carbs.
I wanted to create a version that complements the thanksgiving turkey and all the other holiday classics, but with fewer added sugars and a more natural sweetness. After tweaking the recipe each year, I finally nailed it! This sugar-free version has become a favorite at our holiday table, and now, even I look forward to having a little bit of it alongside my other holiday favorites.
Ingredients
One of the best things about this sugar-free cranberry sauce recipe is how simple the ingredients are. You don’t need to hunt down specialty items at the grocery store—just a few basic, wholesome ingredients that bring a burst of flavor to your holiday meals without the added sugar.
Sugar substitutes: To keep this a sugar-free version, we rely on natural sugar substitutes. I'm going to be using my favorite sweetener. which is Gentle Sweet by Trim Healthy. You can also use other sugar substitutes like monk fruit sweetener, powdered erythritol, or stevia extract. These options give you the sweetness without the high fructose corn syrup or other processed sugars found in the canned stuff. Plus, they help keep the net carbs low, making it ideal for a keto cranberry sauce recipe.
- Fresh cranberries
- Water
- Gentle Sweet (or other sugar substitutes)
- Orange extract (orange zest - zest of one orange)
- Vanilla extract
- Cinnamon (or a whole cinnamon stick)
- Optional: lemon zest, maple syrup, or a dash of coconut sugar
See the recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Once the sauce is done, taste it! If you love the tartness of the cranberries, you might not need to add any more sweetener. But if you'd prefer a sweeter flavor, you can add more monk fruit sweetener, stevia extract, or even a small amount of natural sugar like coconut sugar.
In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, water, and sweetener. Set the heat to medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil.
Add the orange extract. cinnamon, and vanilla.
Lower the heat and let the cranberries simmer for 10-15 minutes. You’ll see the cranberries burst open, creating a thick, delicious sauce.
Let the sauce cool to room temperature, then transfer to a serving dish or airtight container for storage.
Hint: The sauce will thicken as it cools, however, if you need to thicken it further use about ¼ teaspoon of glucomannan. Sprinkle it on the sauce while it's still hot. Let it bloom and then stir into the sauce.
Substitutions
Instead of Gentle Sweet, you can use monk fruit sweetener, powdered erythritol, stevia extract, or even a small amount of maple syrup for a low-sugar cranberry sauce with a maple flavor.
For a more citrusy profile, try adding a bit of lemon zest or orange extract. Vanilla extract can be swapped for a dash of nutmeg for a more spiced flavor.
Equipment
- Medium saucepan - this is the exact cast iron pot that I'm using
- Airtight container or freezer-safe container for storage
- Zester for the orange zest (optional)
- Wooden spoon for stirring
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Storage
Store your sugar-free cranberry sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to two months. Be sure to thaw it overnight in the fridge before serving.
FAQ
Can I use frozen cranberries?
Yes! Just make sure to adjust the cooking time slightly.
What’s the best sweetener to use?
Gentle Sweet from Trim Healthy is by far my favorite sugar substitute in most recipes. Monk fruit sweetener or powdered erythritol works best to keep the net carbs low, making it ideal for a low-carb cranberry sauce.
How long can I store this?
The sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for up to two months.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Like cranberries? Check out some of my other cranberry recipes:
- Pecan Cranberry Cheeseball
- Healthy Cranberry Salad
- Sourdough Cranberry Bread
- Cranberry Wassail
-Sugar Free Shortbread (cranberry and orange)
Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 12 oz fresh cranberries
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup Gentle Sweet (or other sugar substitutes)
- 1 teaspoon orange extract (orange zest - zest of one orange)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon (or a whole cinnamon stick)
- Optional: lemon zest, maple syrup, or a dash of coconut sugar
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, water, and sweetener. Set the heat to medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Add the orange extract. cinnamon, and vanilla.
- Lower the heat and let the cranberries simmer for 10-15 minutes. You’ll see the cranberries burst open, creating a thick, delicious sauce.
- Let the sauce cool to room temperature, then transfer to a serving dish or airtight container for storage.
Notes
The sauce will thicken as it cools, however, if you need to thicken it further use about ¼ teaspoon of glucomannan. Sprinkle it on the sauce while it's still hot. Let it bloom and then stir into the sauce.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 30Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 3mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 2gSugar: 4gProtein: 0g
Online nutritional calculators are estimates only. Use your best judgement when consuming.
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