Are you ready to skip the sugar-filled and processed cranberry sauce this holiday season? Start a new, healthier tradition and make your own easy homemade cranberry sauce! It’s packed with nutrients, super easy to make, and oh, so delicious!
Holiday memories.
When I think back to my first experiences with cranberry sauce, it’s not too pleasant. Each year, when the holidays rolled around, my family’s table was graced with cans of gel-ified cranberry stuff. Bouncy, tart, and gross (at least to me!). I couldn’t understand why my mom and brother loved it so much!
As the years passed, I still avoided cranberry sauce like the plague every holiday. Then I married someone who loved it. To keep the canned nastiness off my table, I finally got up the gumption to try making cranberry sauce from scratch.
Actually… that was really only because I had a whole bunch of cranberries that I needed to use up…
But what do you know? I actually like the real thing!
Easy homemade cranberry sauce.
It turns out cranberry sauce is SUPER easy to make, and so much more delicious when you make it from scratch! Plus, you really only need three ingredients (if you count water), a small saucepan, and that’s it!
Of course, being me, I couldn’t help adding some extra goodies into my homemade cranberry sauce. A little nutmeg, a little cloves, a little fresh orange zest… what’s not to love? If you want it even fancier than that, I have an ultra-delicious version made with apple cider and elderberries, too!
But for lack of apple cider, this easy homemade cranberry sauce works perfectly and is devoured by my family 100% of the time. There are NEVER any leftovers.
Why cranberries?
If you’re not a cranberry sauce lover, let me tell you, you should be. Cranberries are exceptionally good for you! They’re probably best known for their ability to effectively treat urinary tract infections, but they’re full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants!
Cranberries are a wonderful way to get vitamin C, E, A, ß-carotene, lutein, zea-xanthin, and folate, plus minerals like potassium and manganese. If you have bad cholesterol, cranberries can help lower it and increase good cholesterol. And they’re packed with antioxidants!
More delicious cranberry recipes.
Beside making some delicious homemade cranberry sauce, cranberries are a great little berry to have on hand any time of year. If you’re looking for more healthy and delicious ways to use cranberries, give these recipes a try! These are all primal/paleo/GAPS-friendly recipes, so they’re safe to enjoy whenever!
- Cranberry Apple Switchel
- Cranberry Kefir Fruit Snacks
- Cider & Elderberry Cranberry Sauce
- Cranberry Coconut Daiquiri
- Lacto-Fermented Cranberry Walnut Chutney
- Paleo Cinnamon Walnut Coffee Cake
In the recipe card I’ve linked to some of the products from my affiliate partners that I like to use. Purchasing through these links won’t cost you anything extra. Thanks!
Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Free from grain, gluten, eggs, dairy, and refined sugar.
Ingredients
- 4 cups cranberries (fresh or frozen)
- 1 cup water
- Â 1 cup honey
Optional add-ins:
- 1/2 teaspoon cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
Instructions
Combine all the ingredients in a medium-sized saucepan.
Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
Reduce the heat and allow to simmer until thickened – about 10-15 minutes.
Serve hot or chilled.
Store leftovers covered in the fridge… if you have any.
Notes
Cranberry sauce will gel more if you chill it before serving it.
If you don’t like your sauce chunky, go ahead and stick it in the blender (I use a Blendtec) and pulse it a few times to puree it.
Looking for yummy holiday dishes to go with your easy homemade cranberry sauce? Here you go…
Can you substitute maple syrup for honey? I have a fructose intolerance and honey is a no-no.
Definitely! 🙂
This looks amazing! That color, plus the honey and spices. My mouth is actually watering, LOL. I love the idea of the spices with the tart cranberries.
Haha! Thanks, Megan! I hope you get to enjoy it!
I love how simple this is, and the color is just gorgeous! Can’t wait to make it for the holidays.
Thanks Jean! I hope you enjoy it!
Homemade cranberry sauce is the best! So much better than store bought – the flavors stand out – delicious!
I so agree, ChihYu!
This looks amazing, I can’t wait to try it for our Christmas meal — I have always done a raw cranberry relish, but have fond memories of one like this my grandmother made! Thanks!
I hope you enjoy it, Jennifer!
I love the idea of adding cloves and nutmeg. Never tried it before but I bet it’s great!
It’s a nice, subtle spice add-in, Donny. 😉 I hope you get to try it this way!