The debate over the cranberry sauce – canned or homemade? Seriously? This cranberry sauce recipe is one that everyone will love. It’s naturally sweet and is gluten free, vegan, and Paleo, with one little switch to also make it Whole30 and keto. Nothing to argue about here! Except maybe if you call it cranberry sauce or cranberry relish. Get the recipe…
The Thanksgiving dinner debate over the cranberry sauce – canned or homemade – is in a league of its own. Kids are fighting over who gets to sit at the adult table… brothers fighting over who is going to win the football game… politics… religion… it all pales in comparison to the most epic Thanksgiving debate of all time.
I mean seriously people…. you want to serve THIS???
Cranberries get a bad rap because they are so tart. All you have to do is add some natural sweeteners and you’re squared away. Not only will this recipe appease the adults at your table, but also the kids. They will love this!
Don’t forget to make a little extra to add to your Thanksgiving leftovers!
Health Benefits of Cranberries
Move over UTI’s, there are many more health benefits in town! I can throw out big complicated terms like phytonutrients, anthocyanidin flavonoids, and quercetin but here’s the deal. Cranberries are one of the healthiest superfoods around. They contain one of the highest concentrations of antioxidants of any fruit. They are high in fiber, manganese, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin K. They are heart healthy, help to fight against cancer and inflammation, and protect our cells from free-radical damage. One of the most important phytonutrients in the small but mighty cranberry is quercetin, which is highly anti-inflammatory.
Recipe Swaps
As a good rule of thumb, always try to purchase organic ingredients whenever possible. While you may not be able to find fresh organic cranberries, many stores carry organic frozen cranberries and you can easily swap out fresh for frozen.
There are a few optional ingredients. First, of course, is bourbon. The alcohol adds some depth to the flavor, but if you are under a certain nutrition protocol or choose not to imbibe, then you can leave it out. The alcohol cooks out, but it’s still an optional ingredient.
Same with the Citrus Essential Oil. If you are an EO junkie and have citrus, orange or tangerine at home, then add a drop for flavor. If not, no worries at all!
Finally, if you follow Whole30 or Keto, then do not add the maple syrup. It gives the recipe a little extra sweetness, but it’s certainly sweet enough without it. Oh and if you are on Keto, you will need to opt-out of apple cider, or swap with a little ACV.
The recipe calls for orange zest. I know… I know… you have to get out your microplane. But trust me, it’s worth it. You can garnish with some extra orange zest.
Psst… want a beautiful printable for your Thanksgiving table to share how thankful grateful blessed you and your loved ones are? Click below…
Recipe Resources
Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Cranberry Sauce
Gluten Free, Vegan, Paleo, Whole30, Keto
Ingredients
- 10 oz Cranberries
- 1/2 cup Apple Cider
- 1/2 cup Pear Juice or the juice from one 8 oz can
- 1 can Pears or 1/2 cup of fresh pears
- 1/4 cup Maple Syrup optional
- 2 drops Citrus Essential Oil optional
- 1 TBSP Apple Pie Spice
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 TBSP Bourbon optional
- Orange Peel Zest optional but worth it!
Instructions
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Add all ingredients to a medium to large sauce pot.
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Bring to a boil.
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Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, until the cranberries break open.
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Stir well.
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Garnish with extra orange peel.
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Serve hot or cold.
More Thanksgiving Resources You Will Love
Thankful Grateful Blessed Printable
Your Complete Thanksgiving Menu- GF/V/P Friendly
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Are you Inspired?
Be sure to download your FREE Advent Calendar Printable and celebrate the season!
Love, hugs, and good things come in small, red packages.
With you, Holly! I’m so not eating anything that maintains the shape of the can an hour after it is removed from the can. Happy Thanksgiving eating!
Hi Susan – Too funny! Solidarity my friend! Happy Thanksgiving! Hugs, Holly
I found this over at the Be.YOU.tiful Link Party. This sound so good, I think I will even make it with Truvia, and remove the sugar all together. I would never even try that canned jelled stuff!
Hi Chloe – Pretty much any recipe I try, I always drop the sugar content down by at least a half, if not more. I recently purchased I think it was Stevia and Agave but I’ve been a little reluctant to try them. I need to. Thanks so much for stopping by and hope to see you again soon! Hugs, Holly
Thank you Holly for stopping by to share your recipes. Hope all is well!!!
Have a great weekend!!!
Hi Karren – Thanks so much and Happy Thanksgiving! Hugs, Holly
Your homemade cranberry sauce looks delicious. And no doubt it’s the healthier option by far. Still..I can’t help but love the canned stuff. Too many fond memories there. I mean, you can slice it and it keeps its shape! If that’s not magic, I don’t know what is.
Hi Nancy – Too funny! I never thought of it that way, but you are so right – canned sauce is magic. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing! Hugs, Holly
Holly,
I buy the canned cranberry sauce with whole cranberries. I just serve it out of the can
in a pretty little crystal dish; that always makes it taste even better. We love it and no fuss. We
even eat it on turkey sandwiches after the Big Day.
Hi Gloria – Everything tastes better in a crystal dish! Love the leftovers too! Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! Hugs, Holly
I’ve never been a big cranberry sauce girl, but now I will give it another try! Thanks for linking up to Snickerdoodle Sunday!
Hi K&M – Cranberries are way too tart, but if you sweeten them up they are delicious and sooooo healthy for you! Hugs, Holly
My parents are canned sauce people. Sigh. The real stuff is Sooooo much better. Convince them pa-lease?? Thanks for sharing your recipe. Thanks for linking up to Show Me Saturday!
Hi Ginger – Thanks for sharing, that is too funny. My Mother has an ongoing joke with gravy, and my MIL with green bean casserole. I love being able to laugh together at the holidays. Hugs, Holly