Try my easy sugar-free cranberry sauce recipe for your next holiday feast. You need only 3 ingredients and it is ready in 10 minutes.
I am serving this keto cranberry sauce every year as a condiment with my holiday turkey. I also use a variety of this sauce in my Keto Cranberry Streusel Bars. And, I spread it on low carb bread like a jam!
In my opinion, homemade sugar free cranberry sauce tastes so much better than anything you can buy in the shops. It tastes incredibly fruity and tangy and it is perfectly sweet without the sugar rush.
Even better, you can make it with only 3 ingredients (plus water). It is SO SIMPLE.
"Best cranberry sauce by far! Good enough to eat with a spoon!!" (Merja)
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Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you'll need:
- Cranberries. These can be fresh cranberries or frozen. There is no need to thaw frozen cranberries first, just use them straight from the freezer.
- Sweetener. I used powdered Bocha Sweet in the recipe. I like it because it has no aftertaste. However, any sweetener works. Just make sure it is a powdered version, such as powdered erythritol, monk fruit sweetener, xylitol or allulose.
- Brandy. This is optional. It gives the sauce a festive flavor.
- Water. As needed to loosen the sauce.
Instructions
This section contains step-by-step instructions and photos that show how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities
STEP 1
Put the frozen or fresh cranberries in a saucepan with the other ingredients.
STEP 2
Stir and bring the mixture to the boil. Then reduce to a medium heat and let the sauce cook until the berries begin to pop.
Katrin's Top Tips
#1 Add 2-3 additional minutes to the cooking time for frozen or extra large cranberries.
#2 The natural pectin in the fruit helps the sauce thicken all on its own. There is no need to add xanthan gum or other thickeners.
#3 The sauce should still be a little runny when you take it off the stove. It thickens further once it cools down.
Variations
Below are ideas how you can change up the flavor:
- Basic. Use only cranberries, powdered sweetener and water.
- Cinnamon. Add a cinnamon stick into the saucepan or add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Nutmeg, ginger and a tiny pinch of cloves would also work well here.
- Orange. Regular cranberry sauce is made with orange juice. For a sugar-free cranberry sauce, add 1 tablespoon of grated orange zest instead. You could also add a squeeze of lemon juice. This will give the same flavor without the carbs.
- Vanilla. Another alternative to the brandy. 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract will lend a warming note.
Recipe FAQs
You could use granulated Bocha Sweet, allulose or xylitol. I do not recommend using granulated erythritol as it re-crystallises. You don't want to end up with crunchy bits in the sauce.
Yes. Use 2 teaspoons of stevia glycerite, which is equivalent to 1 cup of sugar.
A reader has commented that she used dried cranberries for this recipe and she was really pleased with the outcome of the sauce.
Traditionally, cranberry sauce is served at room temperature.
Uses
- With Meat: Sugar-free cranberry sauce tastes great with turkey, pork, keto Swedish meatballs or goose.
- On Pancakes: I have used it as a topping for my coconut flour pancakes and my keto pancakes.
- With Dessert: It is also delicious with sugar free cheesecake and served warm over sugar free ice cream or this Keto Rice Pudding.
- As a jam: If you let the mix simmer on the stove for longer, it reduces enough to make a delicious cranberry jam. Spread it over toasted and buttered low carb bread.
Storage and Meal Prep
Store keto cranberry sauce just like you would regular cranberry sauce - in an airtight container or jar in the fridge.
It contains so much natural acidity that it stays fresh for several months. This has been tested by me over several years and some of my readers have commented the same as well.
This means that you COULD freeze it, but you don't need to.
It also means that you can make the sauce way ahead of prepping a Thanksgiving or Christmas menu. That way there's less stress and It'll be there waiting for you!
More Keto Cranberry Recipes
Below are more easy keto recipes using cranberry as an ingredient.
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Recipe
Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce (Keto)
Ingredients
- 12 oz cranberries, fresh or frozen 350g
- 1 cup powdered sweetener 150g (use ¾ cup if you prefer more tartness)
- 1 tablespoon brandy optional
- ¼ cup water 60ml
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a pot. Bring to the boil.
- Reduce to a medium heat and cook for around 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from the heat once the cranberries have popped and the liquid is reducing. The sauce will thicken further as it cools.
Isaac
To all the thanks expressed and I connect too. But I want to add one more thanks! With today's food prices and the high cost of life in general, this jam is budget friendly also.