Healthy Cranberry Sauce Recipe with Honey
This healthy cranberry sauce recipe is naturally sweetened and so delicious! Whole fresh cranberries, apple cider, honey, orange zest, and cinnamon make this dish a healthy holiday favorite!
I always look forward to cranberries in the fall. As soon as November rolls around, I make sure to add a few bags to the freezer so we’ll have plenty on hand for our favorite cranberry recipes.
In addition to cranberry bread, this healthy cranberry sauce recipe is definitely one of our favorites!
It’s delicious served alongside roast turkey and this healthy sweet potato casserole, and it tastes so good on a homemade buttered roll.
And it’s nothing like the kind that comes in a can. While I actually liked the canned kind as a kid, I much prefer this homemade version, filled with whole berries and bursting with flavor.
You may also like: Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
Healthy Cranberry Sauce Recipe Notes
- This recipe is naturally sweetened with honey and apple cider. You can substitute maple syrup for the honey if you prefer.
- In place of the apple cider, you can substitute water.
- The cinnamon is optional, and can be left out without affecting the flavor.
- If you prefer a less-chunky sauce, you can gently mash the cranberries with a potato masher after the sauce is cooked. This will give you a smoother sauce.
- This recipe can be made a day ahead for convenience. Just store in the fridge, and then take it out and let it warm up a bit (to room temperature) before serving.
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Supplies Needed for This Recipe
Here are some basic supplies you’ll need for this recipe:
- Measuring spoons
- Glass measuring cup
- Wooden spoon or other spoon for mixing
- Medium saucepan
- Citrus zester
How to Make Healthy Cranberry Sauce
Homemade cranberry sauce is one of the simplest holiday recipes you can make! And, it only takes about 15 minutes to make it!
First, you’re going to wash and drain the cranberries, discarding any bad ones.
Add cranberries, honey, apple cider, orange zest, orange juice, and cinnamon to a medium saucepan.
Bring the mixture to a boil, and then reduce the heat to simmer.
Simmer the cranberry sauce uncovered, stirring occasionally, for about 10-15 minutes, until cranberries have popped.
Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool. The sauce will thicken as it cools.
Enjoy the cranberry sauce right away, or store in a covered (airtight) container in the refrigerator for a week or two.
It’s a huge timesaver to make this ahead if you’re making it for a holiday get-together. Just make it a day or two before, store it in the fridge, and then let it warm up to room temperature before serving.
Makes about two cups of cranberry sauce.
More Naturally Sweetened Recipes:
- Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
- Healthy Gingerbread Cookies with Honey
- Easy Healthy Hot Cocoa Recipe
- Instant Pot Apple Butter No Added Sugar
- Chocolate No-Bake Cookies with Honey
Healthy Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Healthy Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 bag fresh cranberries 12 oz bag
- 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 cup apple cider or water
- zest of 1 orange about 1 tablespoon
- 1/8 cup fresh orange juice
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Wash and drain cranberries.
- Add cranberries, honey, apple cider, orange zest, orange juice, and cinnamon to a medium saucepan.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer. Simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 10-15 minutes. Allow to cook until cranberries have popped and the sauce is beginning to thicken.
- Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Serve, or store covered in the refrigerator for a week or two.
