Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and many of us are planning to do more "gathering" than we did last year. Which brings a whole new set of challenges.
The bigger the group, the more likely someone has some dietary restrictions. I have one family member who is diabetic, and another who follows a keto diet. Figuring out how to make a sugar free/keto cranberry sauce seemed like the best solution.
This recipe makes a delicious sauce that is tart, sweet and the perfect side for your slices of turkey. Everyone will enjoy this sauce, whether they are trying to be low carb or not!
Why You'll Love This Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Cranberry sauce is easy to make, and this sugar free version is no different. The best thing is, I can make this a day or two before Thanksgiving and have it ready to go. I can even make a traditional sugar version if I want to offer both, depending upon the size of the group.
Keto Cranberry Sauce Recipe Ingredients
Please note that I include an orange for zest as an optional ingredient. I really love orange in my cranberry sauce, and can't imagine it without.
When I use orange marmalade, I do not add any orange zest. I only add it when I use a substitute jam, such as peach or apricot. As always, use this as a guideline to find your own perfect balance of flavor.
How to Make Low Sugar Cranberry Sauce
This sauce is made very much like a conventional cranberry sauce: fresh cranberries are boiled until they burst, add sweeteners and orange zest for flavor. As the mixture cools it will thicken.
The difference, of course, is in the sweeteners.
On the surface, it seems like you could just substitute a sugar-free sweetener for the sugar, right? Well, not exactly.
I tried this with erythritol and the taste was great, but as the sauce cooled the sweetener crystallized, giving the sauce a grainy and almost crunchy texture. Not what I was hoping for.
I tried again with monk fruit, which is really a blend with erythritol. Again, great taste but the texture was off.
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I decided to try a combination of sweeteners and achieved that from multiple sources:
Sugar free cranberry juice - this provides additional cranberry taste that is already sweetened with sucralose.
Sugar free jam - a complementary fruit flavor, also sweetened with sucralose.
Monkfruit sweetener(erythritol blend) - by adding the above 2 ingredients, I was able to reduce the amount of this sweetener from a full cup to ¼ cup. Big difference - any crystallization that is happening in the sauce is much more subtle/virtually undetectable. Success!
Serving Low Carb Cranberry Sauce
This sugar free cranberry sauce is the perfect side for your holiday meal. Turkey just doesn't taste right without it!
Got leftovers? Try this sauce stirred into Greek yogurt, or spoon it on low carb waffles to enjoy the delicious taste in a new way.
How to Store Sugar-Free Cranberry Sauce
Some people like their cranberry sauce warm or room temperature. For this scenario, it's best to make and serve fresh. But if you like it cold like I do, you can make it the day before and then allow to cool, then store in an airtight container in the fridge.
Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce Recipe FAQs
Look for a sugar-free jam, in a flavor you think will be complementary to cranberry. I used sugar free orange marmalade since I always want some orange taste in my sauce. Other possible flavors are peach, apricot or blueberry, but feel free to experiment as you wish!
Yes! I make cranberry sauce from Craisins with great success. I will try making a sugar free version if I can ever get my hands on unsweetened dried cranberries, but I'm confident it will be great. Let me know if you try it first!
If you prefer your cranberry sauce to be tart, start without any sweetener beyond what is in the juice and jam. At the end of the cooking time, give it a little taste. It will be tart, and for me, a little more sweet is called for. But the beauty of making it yourself is that you can decide!
More cranberry recipes to enjoy:
- Cranberry sauce from dried cranberries
- Cranberry-apricot sauce
- Eggnog cranberry bread
- Cranberry sauce cocktail
- Cranberry grapefruit kiss cocktail
📖 Recipe
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Keto Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 12 ounces cranberries fresh or frozen
- ¾ cup sugar free cranberry juice
- 12 ounces sugar free orange marmalade *
- ¼ cup Monkfruit sweetener 1:1 sugar substitute *
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Heat to boiling, then lower heat and simmer, stirring frequently, about 15 minutes.12 ounces cranberries, ¾ cup sugar free cranberry juice, 12 ounces sugar free orange marmalade *, ¼ cup Monkfruit sweetener, Pinch of salt
- When cranberries have burst and sauce starts to thicken, turn off the heat and allow the sauce to cool. Serve warm or at room temperature. Store in refrigerator if not serving the same day.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Julia
I love cranberry sauce - it goes so well with so many things. Now that you can get frozen berries throughout the year I always have a pot of this in the fridge. I'm quite excited to be trying your keto version for my next batch.
Sula
I'm the same way! Love to have it with lots of different meals!
Andrea White
so good and so flavorfull! perfect for thanksgiving!
Sula
Wonderful! Enjoy your holiday!
Bianca
I love that you use monkfruit as sweetener.. Thank you for the great recipe
Sula
You're so welcome! Enjoy!
Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady
What a great idea! This is a low point cranberry sauce alternative on my WW program!
Sula
Perfect!
Addie
Perfectly sweet and tart! Yum!
Sula
Thank you!
Jean
the use of monk fruit sweetener is a good alternative to those watching their sugar, perfect for Thanksgiving.
Sula
It really helps to keep the carbs down!
Shilpa
This one is a must try!
Sula
I hope you love it like I do!
Emily Flint
I love that you made a keto version of cranberry sauce! This is so smart and I know I will be getting way too much sugar from dessert at Thanksgiving so this helps with the guilt!😂
Sula
Exactly - it's all about the balance!
Toni
I really love that this is keto!! Healthy and so good!
Sula
It's surprising that it is so delicious, yet sugar free!
Alisa Infanti
So glad I can have cranberry sauce and stay on track with my keto lifestyle with is awesome recipe.
Sula
Wonderful, my family feels the same!
Savita
This looks amazing, can't wait to try it.
Sula
I hope you get the chance soon!
Jess
I love that I can make this a day or two ahead of Thanksgiving so I have one less thing to do on the big day! Never buying store-bought again!
Sula
So easy to make ahead!