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    Home » Recipes » Sides & Appetizers

    Homemade Cranberry Sauce (Vegan, Gluten Free)

    Published: Nov 13, 2020 by Stephanie 16 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read full disclosure.

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    This Homemade Cranberry Sauce is an easy one pot recipe that can be on the table in about 15 minutes. Fresh tart cranberries, sweet apples, & orange zest bring bold simple flavors to this delicious easy cranberry sauce. Refined sugar free, GF, & Vegan.

    cranberry sauce in a white bowl with a silver spoon

    When it comes to the holiday meal, it just isn't complete without a big bowl of cranberry sauce.

    And this is the best cranberry sauce to serve since it's fresh, simple to prepare and requires only a few ingredients.

    It compliments this Cornbread Stuffing and these Garlic Roasted Mashed Potatoes perfectly!

    Why make homemade cranberry sauce?

    • Flavor- when using fresh quality ingredients it's always going to taste better than anything you can buy pre made.
    • Easy- making homemade cranberry sauce is really quick and so simple to make. It's almost as easy as opening up a can.
    • Sugar- this is made without refined sugar and you can actually control the amount you add.

    Here is what you'll need

    cranberries, orange zest, apples, maple syrup, cinnamon, vanilla extract

    Ingredient notes

    • Apples- I recommend organic fuji apples for this cranberry sauce. You can substitute with your favorite apples, but if they're not organic I would make sure to peel the apples first.
    • Orange zest- I have made it before without the zest so if you find you don't have an orange you can totally make it without that. I recommend you use organic oranges for the zest.
    • Maple syrup- Make sure you are using pure maple syrup for this and you can definitely control the amount you add to this cranberry sauce.

    How to make it

    Start by rinsing and sorting the fresh cranberries. Discard any cranberries that are mushy or appear to have gone bad.

    Peel and dice your apple into small pieces. You can leave the peel on if you prefer, which I do if using organic apples . I do recommend removing the skin if they're not organic apples though.

    Place all them in a large soup pan.

    cranberries, and chopped apples in a large soup pot.

    Add the remaining ingredients, stir and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until mixture starts to thicken.

    Transfer to a serving dish to cool.

    Storage notes

    This can be stored in glass mason jars or any container with a tight fitting lid for up to two weeks in the fridge.

    Just make sure to cool the sauce before storing in the fridge.

    For longer storage you can freeze cranberry sauce in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to three months.

    Other holiday sides

    • Apple Cranberry Kale Salad
    • Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
    • Brussel Sprouts Au Gratin
    cranberry sauce in a white bowl with a silver spoon
    cranberry sauce in a white bowl with a silver spoon and an orange in the background

     

    📖 Recipe

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    5 from 3 votes

    Homemade Cranberry Sauce (Vegan, Gluten Free)

    Healthy Homemade Cranberry Sauce is simple to make with fresh ingredients and no refined sugar.
    Course Side
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time 20 minutes minutes
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 104kcal
    Author Stephanie

    Ingredients

    • 2- 12 ounce bags fresh cranberries
    • 2 Fuji apples diced & peeled can leave on peel if using organic apples
    • Zest of medium orange
    • 4 tbsp. maple syrup*
    • ½ tsp. cinnamon
    • ½ tsp. vanilla extract
    • 1 ½ cups water
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    Instructions

    • Rinse and sort out any bad or mushy cranberries and place rest in large pot.
    • Peel & chop apples into bite sized pieces and place in pot with cranberries.
    • Add remaining ingredients, stir, and bring to boil.
    • Simmer over medium high heat about 15 minutes till cranberries have started breaking up & you have a nice thick consistency.
    • Remove from heat & spoon into serving bowl or allow to cool before placing in mason jars and storing in fridge.

    Notes

    * you can taste and adjust the amount of maple syrup depending on how sweet you like it.
    This can easily be made ahead and stored in an airtight container(like a mason jar) in the fridge for up to two weeks. Freeze for longer storage.
    **Disclaimer

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 104kcal | Carbohydrates: 22.5g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 226mg | Fiber: 4.8g | Sugar: 14.9g | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @applesforcjblog or tag #applesforcj

    Updated- originally posted November 2017

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    Comments

    1. Yvonne

      December 02, 2024 at 11:37 am

      I made this last year, and I liked it for an alternative to white-sugar laden sauce, but my husband wasn't keen, as it is more sour. This year I made it again, but once it was fairly cool I added diced celery and chopped walnuts, as a family (sugary) recipe I'd always made included those. It was a game-changer! My husband and I are both enjoying it! Admittedly he's more into savory than sweet, so that tweak seemed to jazz it into reminiscent of a chutney or something, I guess. We are putting the leftovers on our green salads instead of a dressing. I'm so excited that I can now consider this a full healthy replacement!
      Thank you!

      Reply
      • Stephanie

        December 02, 2024 at 4:38 pm

        You're welcome and thanks for the lovely feedback!

        Reply
    2. Darby

      November 21, 2020 at 12:37 pm

      I made this last year and it was AMAZING!
      Can’t wait to have it again 😀

      Reply
      • Stephanie

        November 21, 2020 at 12:48 pm

        Thanks Darby!❤️🥰

        Reply
    3. Lindsey

      November 06, 2020 at 4:14 pm

      Absolutely delicious! I juiced the orange and subbed some of the water for the fresh-squeezed juice, and it came out great! Thank you for such a wonderful recipe!

      Reply
      • Stephanie

        November 06, 2020 at 4:26 pm

        Thanks Lindsey and you're welcome!❤️

        Reply
      • Virginia

        November 20, 2021 at 12:05 pm

        I plan on doing exactly that!

        Reply
    4. Starla

      November 20, 2019 at 1:01 am

      So the orange zest is NOT just for garnish, correct?

      Reply
      • Stephanie

        November 20, 2019 at 2:22 pm

        That's correct. The garnish is optional! Hope you Enjoy.

        Reply
    5. Sandra B

      October 20, 2019 at 5:43 pm

      Can this cranberry recipe be poured into hot Mason jars and processed in a canner for longer storage time?

      Reply
      • Stephanie

        October 20, 2019 at 6:07 pm

        I've never actually tried canning it so I can't say for sure. I usually make it ahead and put it in a mason jar in the fridge. It will last in the fridge about 2 weeks. Hope this helps.

        Reply
    6. Mary

      November 20, 2017 at 5:55 pm

      I've never been a fan of cranberry sauce from the can. Homemade is the way to go! Especially when it's this simple!

      Reply
    7. britt Anne

      November 20, 2017 at 5:43 pm

      ooh this looks so good! That healthy bit leaves a little extra room for pie in my book, haha!

      Reply
    8. Beeta

      November 20, 2017 at 5:25 pm

      What a gorgeous bowl of cranberry sauce! I love love love cranberry sauce and I'm so digging that you made this refined sugar free. This is 10x better than anything you could find in a store! 🙂

      Reply
    9. cheddarben

      November 20, 2017 at 5:19 pm

      Thanksgiving is here and I always reserve a little spot on my plate for some cranberry sauce. This looks tasty!

      Reply
    10. Dannii

      November 20, 2017 at 5:14 pm

      Every year I say I am going to make my own Cranberry sauce and I never do. This is the year I will.

      Reply
    5 from 3 votes

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    Hi, I'm Stephanie! The Recipe developer and writer behind APPLES FOR CJ. Welcome to my Happy Place! Here you'll find a collection of my Best Gluten Free & Vegetarian recipes, along with some healthy lifestyle tips. Hope you'll stay awhile!

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