• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Winding Creek Ranch
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Main Dishes
  • About
    • Contact Me
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Memorial Day
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Memorial Day
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Holiday Recipes

    Whole30 Cranberry Sauce Recipe

    Published: Oct 22, 2021 · Modified: Jun 20, 2022 by Jeri Walker · This post may contain affiliate links · 6 Comments

    Sharing is Caring!

    • Facebook
    Jump to Recipe
    A white bowl filled with healthy homemade Whole30 cranberry sauce, ready to be eaten.
    A white bowl filled with healthy homemade Whole30 cranberry sauce, ready to be eaten.

    This Whole30 Cranberry Sauce is an easy recipe that is perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations! This version is not that different from the traditional recipe, just a few slight ingredient changes (sweetener). This is a quick recipe that you can whip up with items you likely already have in your kitchen. This homemade cranberry sauce is also dairy-free, gluten-free, and follows the Paleo and Whole30 diets. If you're looking for a healthier alternative to store-bought cranberry sauces or want to try something new this holiday season, give this recipe a try!

    PIN the recipe to try it later!

    Homemade Whole30 cranberry sauce served in a white serving bowl, with a few whole cranberries and cinnamon sticks behind the bowl. this …

    Cranberry sauce is a staple on most Thanksgiving tables in the US and Canada. After all, it goes perfectly with turkey, ham, potatoes, stuffing, and more! Unfortunately, it is also one of the more unhealthy dishes with sugars as high as 50g per serving. By using Whole30-approved whole fruits, you can control all ingredients that go into this sauce, making it Whole30 compliant and more healthy.

    This recipe will make your holidays much healthier and more satisfying if you follow the Whole30 diet this holiday season. Believe me; nobody can even tell the difference! So try this recipe; you will love it!

    Jump to:
    • What is the Whole30 diet?
    • Recipe Features
    • Ingredients
    • How to make the cranberry sauce
    • Can I make this cranberry sauce in the Instant Pot?
    • Equipment
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Storage
    • Top tips
    • FAQS
    • Health benefits of cranberries
    • More recipes for you to try
    • 📋 Recipe
    • Food safety
    • 💬 Comments

    What is the Whole30 diet?

    For those who don't know, the Whole30 diet is a nutritional reset. You cut out all sugar, alcohol, grains, legumes, and dairy for 30 days. After that, only natural, unprocessed food is allowed.

    Whole30 cranberry sauce is perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. It is Paleo and Whole30 compliant and refined sugar-free. It is made with natural ingredients and has no sweeteners other than the fruit itself (cranberries, apples, dates). After trying this recipe, you will never want to eat canned cranberry sauce again!

    Recipe Features

    Easy: The cranberries, apple, orange juice, date paste, and spices are all cooked together in one dish, making for easy cleanup.

    Healthy: This homemade sauce is made with natural and healthy ingredients. The cranberries are high in antioxidants, the dates are nutrient-rich and packed with antioxidants, and apples are high in vitamin C and fiber and can improve your cardiovascular health.

    Paleo, Whole30 compliant: Only wholesome natural ingredients are used, and the sauce is sweetened with dates, a Whole30-approved sweetener.

    Great for leftovers: This cranberry sauce can last for at least four days in an airtight container stored in the fridge, so feel free to double the recipe and save half for later (it freezes well too)!

    Ingredients

    You can easily have cranberry sauce on the Whole30 diet as long as you change the ingredients up a bit. Instead of sugar added to the cranberries, you can use natural sweeteners like dates to make your cranberry sauce. Not only is this Whole30 cranberry sauce easy, but it uses healthy ingredients that are easily found in stores.

    Ingredients for cranberry sauce measured out and place in bowls and dishes on a white wooden table
    • Whole fresh or frozen cranberries: Unsweetened whole cranberries are much healthier than processed versions because they contain no added sugar and much more vitamin C and fiber.
    • Apple, diced: Chop the apple very fine, it does not soften as fast as the cranberries do.
    • Orange juice: Unsweetened
    • Date paste: This is the only sweetener approved by the Whole30 diet. This paste can easily be made with whole, pitted dates and water pulsed together in a food processor until a thick paste forms.
    • Water: The cranberries need some moisture to cook.
    • Spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt

    See the recipe card for quantities.

    How to make the cranberry sauce

    MAKE THE DATE PASTE: Add the dates and water to a food processor. Pulse until the dates combine with the water to make a thick paste. Set aside.

    MAKE THE SAUCE: Add whole fresh cranberries to a pot with one medium-sized apple, chopped fine. Add orange juice, water, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix well. Bring the mixture to a low boil, and boil the mixture for about 5 minutes while stirring frequently, then reduce the heat to low. Add ⅛ cup of date paste and mix well. Taste the sauce, and if it is still too tart, add more date paste until the desired sweetness is reached. Depending on how sweet you like your sauce or how sour your cranberries are, you may need to use all of the date paste. 🙂 Cover with a lid and simmer until thickened (about 10 minutes). Stir occasionally to make sure it does not run out of liquid and burn.

    COOL: Once done, remove whole cranberry sauce from heat and cool completely before transferring it into a glass jar or container. The Whole 30 cranberry sauce will last in the refrigerator, covered, for about 3 to 4 days. Make sure it is cooled completely before serving or refrigerating.

    Whole cranberries added to a saucepan with water
    Diced apples added to a saucepan with the cranberries
    Spices and orange juice added to the saucepan

    Can I make this cranberry sauce in the Instant Pot?

    Yes! To make this sauce in the Instant Pot, add water, orange juice, cranberries, diced apple, and seasonings. Place the lid on and set to cook on high pressure for 1 minute. When finished, let the pressure naturally release for about 8 minutes, then manually release the pressure. Add date paste to taste and stir well. Turn the instant pot to saute and cook the sauce for 2-3 minutes. Turn off the instant pot and cool completely before pouring the cranberry sauce into a glass container or jar.

    Equipment

    To make the date paste, you will need a food processor. If you do not have a food processor, chop up the dates as fine as you can and add them to the cranberry mixture to cook. They will soften and combine with cranberries and apples.

    If you are making it in the instant pot, you will need an Instant Pot.

    Substitutions

    • SWEETENER: Instead of date paste, you could use a Whole30-approved sugar-free jam as a sweetener instead of dates.
    • APPLE: Instead of apples, you could use an orange. If you don't have fresh oranges on hand, feel free to substitute store-bought juice, but try your best to find one that doesn't have added sugar!
    • Water: Instead of water, you could use pineapple juice, unsweetened.
    • SPICES: You could add cloves, ginger, or add extra cinnamon, giving it an excellent flavor combination!

    Variations

    • Cranberry ginger sauce: For a spicier variation, try adding 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger at the beginning of the cooking process.
    • Cranberry sauce with pineapple: Substitute pineapple juice for the water.
    • Cranberry pineapple orange sauce: Substitute pineapple juice for the water and orange for the apple.
    • KETO: This paleo cranberry sauce is NOT keto-friendly. This is because the dates and apples contain too many carbohydrates. To make it keto-friendly, you need to omit the apple and dates and sweeten it with erythritol instead. If you do this, it would then not be Whole30 compliant.

    Storage

    FRIDGE: To store leftover cranberry sauce, pour it into an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator. Whole30 cranberry sauce will keep for up to 4 days when stored properly.

    FREEZER: This homemade sauce can also be frozen if you would like to make extra, then freeze it until the next holiday season!

    A white bowl filled with ready to eat whole30 cranberry sauce

    Top tips

    It is a good idea to make the cranberry sauce a day in advance. The flavors will meld together overnight, and it'll be even better on Thanksgiving or Christmas Day. If you want this recipe to be Whole30 compliant, make sure that you avoid dried cranberries, as they are full of refined sugars.

    My favorite thing about this healthy cranberry sauce is that it's sweetened with whole, dried fruit instead of refined sugar - so you can feel good about eating it! This Whole30 cranberry sauce is just as delicious as the stuff you've had at family dinners in the past. This homemade sauce is flavorful and is sure to become a favorite of the whole family!

    FAQS

    Why is my cranberry sauce tart?

    Cranberries are a naturally tart fruit. Therefore, it is essential to check for sweetness as you make the homemade sauce. If it's too sour, add more date paste, a tablespoon at a time - until the sweet/tart balance is just right for you. Once you've found the perfect amount of sweetener, stir and cook for another minute to make sure it blends in with the rest of the sauce.

    Can you overcook cranberry sauce?

    Yes, you can overcook the sauce. The liquid will evaporate, and the sauce will burn. You only cook the cranberries until they have almost all burst. The others that haven't burst will pop when you remove them from the heat.

    Why is my cranberry sauce not thickening?

    Homemade cranberry sauce thickens while it is cooking. If it is still too runny for your taste, reduce the liquid in the sauce down further by cooking until more of the liquid has evaporated. Remember, the sauce will thicken as it cools.

    Is cranberry sauce served warm or cold?

    Cranberry sauce tastes best served at room temperature or chilled in the fridge. I prefer cranberry sauce chilled for the best flavor.

    Health benefits of cranberries

    Cranberries are known as a superfood and for a good reason. They are incredibly high in antioxidants, they have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects and protect against liver disease, lower blood pressure, and improve cardiovascular health. They are also known to improve urinary tract health.

    Cranberries may also help with gut health by improving gut bacteria in people who eat an animal-based diet. In other words, if you eat a lot of meat and dairy, cranberries can help put good bacteria back into your digestive system!

    You can feel good knowing that this healthy cranberry sauce is sweetened with whole, dried fruit instead of refined sugar - so you can feel good about eating it!

    Homemade Whole30 cranberry sauce in a white bowl, ready to eat

    More recipes for you to try

    • Blackberry mojito in a tall glass with ice cubes and fresh blackberries for garnish.
      How To Make The Best Blackberry Mojito Cocktail
    • Brown sugar shaken espresso in a tall glass with a cocktail shaker and brown sugar in the background.
      Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso (Starbucks)
    • Creamy red skin potato salad in a white serving bowl, garnished with a sprinkle of paprika.
      Best Creamy Red Skin Potato Salad (Easy Recipe)
    • Traeger smoked salmon on a baking sheet.
      Best Traeger Smoked Salmon Recipe (Dry Brine)

    If you've tried this Whole30 Cranberry Sauce or any other recipe, please take a moment to leave a recipe rating or leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. I love hearing from you!

    You can also Follow Me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Would you please tag me in your photos @windingcreek_ranch? I would love to see your pictures!

    📋 Recipe

    Homemade Whole30 cranberry sauce served in a white serving bowl, with a few whole cranberries and cinnamon sticks behind the bowl.

    Whole30 Cranberry Sauce Recipe

    This Whole30 Cranberry Sauce is an easy recipe that is perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations! This version is not that different from the traditional recipe, just a few slight ingredient changes (sweetener). This is a quick recipe that you can whip up with items you likely already have in your kitchen. This homemade cranberry sauce is also dairy-free, gluten-free, and follows the Paleo and Whole30 diets. If you're looking for a healthier alternative to store-bought cranberry sauces or want to try something new this holiday season, give this recipe a try!
    5 from 62 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 3 cups
    Calories: 54kcal
    Author: Jeri Walker
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Food processor

    Ingredients

    • 4 cups whole cranberries fresh or frozen
    • 1 apple diced fine
    • 2 tablespoon orange juice unsweetened or freshly squeezed
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon ground
    • ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
    • ½ cup water

    Date Paste

    • 1 cup whole, pitted dates about 14-15
    • ¾ cup water

    Instructions

    MAKE THE DATE PASTE

    • First, add the dates and water to a food processor. Pulse until the dates combine with the water to make a thick paste. Set aside.

    MAKE THE SAUCE

    • Add whole fresh cranberries to a pot with one medium-sized apple, chopped fine. Add water, orange juice, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix well. Bring the mixture to a low boil, and boil the mixture for about 5 minutes while stirring frequently, then reduce the heat to low. Add ⅛ cup of date paste and mix well. Taste the sauce, and if it is still too tart, add more date paste until the desired sweetness is reached. Depending on how sweet you like your sauce or how sour your cranberries are, you may need to use all of the date paste. 🙂 Cover with a lid and simmer until thickened (about 10 minutes). Stir frequently to prevent burning.

    COOL

    • Once done, remove whole cranberry sauce from heat and cool completely before transferring it into a glass jar or container. The Whole 30 cranberry sauce will last in the refrigerator, covered, for about 3 to 4 days. Make sure it is cooled completely before serving or refrigerating.

    Instant Pot Instructions

    • First, add water, cranberries, diced apple, and seasonings to the Instant Pot. Set to cook on high pressure for 1 minute. When finished, let the pressure naturally release for about 8 minutes, then manually release the pressure. Add date paste to taste and stir well. Turn the instant pot to saute and cook the sauce for 2-3 minutes. Turn off the instant pot and cool completely before pouring the cranberry sauce into a glass container or jar.

    Notes

    Nutritional information is approximate and is meant as a guideline only.
    Storage:
    Fridge: To store leftover cranberry sauce, pour it into an airtight container and place it in the fridge. Whole30 cranberry sauce will keep for up to 4 days when stored properly.
    Freezer: This homemade sauce can also be frozen if you would like to make extra, then freeze it until the next holiday season!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 54kcal | Carbohydrates: 14.1g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 34mg | Potassium: 74mg | Fiber: 1.3g | Sugar: 10.8g | Calcium: 5mg
    L❤️VE this recipe? PIN it for later! 😊Mention @windingcreek_ranch or tag #windingcreek_ranch on IG!

    Food safety

    • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
    • Never leave cooking food unattended

    More Easy & Delicious Holiday Recipes

    • A collage of summer salad recipes for a july fourth barbecue.
      60+ Best 4th Of July Salads
    • A tall glass of vanilla sweet cream cold brew with a mason jar of cold brew in the background and a french press.
      Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew Recipe (Starbucks Copycat)
    • Creamy bacon ranch pasta salad in a white serving bowl, garnished with chopped bacon and green onion.
      Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe
    • A Bacardi strawberry daiquiri in a cocktail glass garnished with a slice of lime and fresh strawberry.
      The Best Bacardi Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri Recipe

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mihaela | https://theworldisanoyster.com/

      October 28, 2021 at 12:23 pm

      5 stars
      Thinking of the amount of cooking that happens in the cold season, this sauce is perfect for meat dishes or cakes!

      Reply
    2. Toni

      October 28, 2021 at 8:09 am

      5 stars
      This is perfectly easy and delicious! Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
    3. Agnieszka

      October 27, 2021 at 9:53 pm

      5 stars
      Finally a really good cranberry sauce recipe with no sugar added! It will definitely be served at my house this Thanksgiving.

      Reply
    4. Natalie

      October 27, 2021 at 4:37 am

      5 stars
      This sauce looks amazing. Homemade is always the best, right?! I'm going to save your recipe and make this delicious sauce for Thanksgiving. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Freya

        October 27, 2021 at 1:36 pm

        5 stars
        So full of lovely flavour with no synthetic nasties! A breeze to make and I froze a batch for the holidays!

        Reply
    5. Toni

      October 23, 2021 at 1:34 pm

      5 stars
      Such a delicious and healthy cranberry sauce! Thank you!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Jeri!

    I'm a passionate home cook who loves creating easy and delicious recipes for busy families! My goal is to help you make tasty meals quickly so you can spend more time on what matters most-- family!

    More about me →

    Memorial Day Recipes

    • A smoked whole chicken sitting upright in a holder.
      Smoked Whole Chicken On A Pellet Grill
    • A smoked brisket on a wooden cutting board.
      The Best Smoked Beef Brisket Recipe in Electric Smoker
    • Two smoked pork tenderloins on white paper on a white table, one is left whole, and one is sliced.
      The Best Smoked Pork Tenderloin on Pellet Grill
    • A large glass bowl filled with Greek cucumber salad, with a small bowl of homemade dressing beside it.
      Easy Greek Cucumber Salad Recipe
    • Creamy cucumber and onion salad in a white serving bowl.
      Creamy Old-Fashioned Cucumber Salad With Mayo
    • The macaroni salad in a white serving dish, topped with chopped fresh parsley.
      Best Authentic Hawaiian Macaroni Salad Recipe

    Trending Recipes

    • Perfectly cooked thighs in the air fryer basket.
      Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
    • Homemade iced coffee with cream being added to the glass.
      How To Make Delicious Iced Coffee At Home
    • Creamy peanut butter fudge cut into small squares on a round cutting board.
      Easy 2 Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe
    • A closeup of pork chops on a platter.
      Thin Pork Chops in the Air Fryer
    • Smoked salmon fillet baked to perfection, placed on a slate board with slices of lemon beside it.
      Best Smoked Salmon on Pellet Grill
    • Closeup of smoked chicken thighs stacked on a white plate.
      The Best Smoked Chicken Thighs On A Pellet Grill

    As seen in

    A collection of sites where my recipes have been featured.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Reach Out

    • About
    • Contact Me
    • Subscribe

    Let's Connect

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
    • Twitter
    • Web stories

    Disclaimers

    • Privacy Policy
    • Copyright Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Disclaimer
    • Accessibility Statement

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Winding Creek Ranch | All Rights Reserved