Quick & easy Low Sugar Cranberry Sauce made with fresh cranberries, orange juice, a crisp apple, cinnamon, and a touch of brown sugar — ready in about 15 minutes. A bright, tart-sweet side that’s perfect for Thanksgiving and year-round meals.
Cranberry sauce is a classic Thanksgiving side. I grew up on canned cranberry sauce, but as a dietitian and a mom I wanted a version that tastes great with less added sugar. This spiced apple cranberry sauce, inspired by a friend’s family recipe, uses fresh apple and orange to naturally sweeten and add depth of flavor.
This isn’t the traditional, plain cranberry jelly — it’s more flavorful and textured, with fresh apple, citrus, and warm cinnamon that make it a favorite next to roast turkey or pork. It’s simple to make and far better than the canned version.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast and easy: A short ingredient list and about 15 minutes from start to finish.
- Simple ingredients: Fresh cranberries, orange juice, a sweet apple, cinnamon, water, and a bit of brown sugar — no artificial sweeteners.
- Kid-approved: This version is mild and slightly sweetened by the apple, so picky eaters often enjoy it as a snack.
- Versatile holiday side: A natural companion to turkey, pork, chicken, sandwiches, or as a topping for desserts and cheeses.
- Lower in added sugar: Sweetness comes mainly from fruit with only a small amount of brown sugar for balance, giving a tart-and-sweet spread without excess added sugar.
Ingredient Notes
- Cranberries: Tart, colorful, and nutritious. Use fresh or frozen cranberries; rinse before using. Frozen cranberries may add a little extra cook time.
- Apple: A sweet apple like Honeycrisp or Gala adds natural pectin and sweetness. No need to peel—just core and chop.
- Orange juice: Fresh or store-bought both work; it brightens the flavor. Orange zest can be added for extra aroma.
- Cinnamon: Adds warmth. Use ground cinnamon or simmer a cinnamon stick and remove it before mashing.
- Brown sugar: A small amount balances tartness and helps achieve the expected sauce texture.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Quick overview — full ingredient amounts and details are in the recipe card below.
- Core and chop the apple into small pieces.
- Cook the apple with 1/4 cup water in a medium saucepan over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apple softens.
- Add cranberries to the soft apples and cook another 3 minutes, until many cranberries pop.
- Mash the cranberries and apples together, then stir in orange juice, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Simmer 1–2 minutes more to combine, then remove from heat and cool.
Helpful Tips
- This recipe yields about 16 two-tablespoon servings. Double for a crowd.
- Leave the apple skins on for color and fiber; they soften during cooking.
- Rinse cranberries whether fresh or frozen.
- Smaller apple pieces will cook faster and blend more smoothly with cranberries.
- If you omit orange juice, increase the sugar slightly or use apple juice/cider to maintain sweetness.
- Make ahead: the sauce keeps well refrigerated for a day or two and also freezes beautifully.
- Add 1 teaspoon orange zest at the end if you enjoy a stronger citrus note.
- Use two small apples if substituting smaller varieties like Gala; Granny Smith will give a tarter result.
- This is a reduced-added-sugar recipe, not sugar-free; most sugar here comes from the fruit.
Dietitian Tip
Swapping part of the added sugar in recipes with fresh fruit increases fruit consumption and adds nutrients while reducing overall added sugar. This cranberry sauce relies on an apple and orange juice to balance tart cranberries without over-sweetening.
How to Use Leftover Cranberry Sauce
Homemade cranberry sauce is versatile beyond the holiday table.
- Side: Serve alongside roasted pork, chicken, or turkey.
- Spread: Use like jam on sandwiches or turkey wraps for extra flavor.
- Appetizer: Pair with cheese and crackers for a simple starter.
- Snack: Kids often enjoy it plain with crackers or pretzels.
- Topping: Spoon over vanilla ice cream or mix into cottage cheese or yogurt.
Questions You May Have
Yes. Make it a day or two ahead and serve chilled or at room temperature.
Yes. Cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag and remove excess air before freezing.
Store fresh cranberries in the refrigerator for short-term use or freeze extra bags for year-round use.
Related
- Thanksgiving Fruit Salad
- Christmas Salad
- Apple and Pear Crumble
- Holiday Punch (Non-Alcoholic)
More Easy Recipes
- Easy Air Fryer Cod (3-Ingredients!)
- Quick Tuna and Chickpea Salad (High-Protein Lunch)
- Simple Egg Salad with Greek Yogurt (No Mayo)
- Green Goddess Salad with Green Goddess Dressing (Homemade)
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📖 Recipe
Low Sugar Cranberry Sauce
Kristi
Pin Recipe
Equipment
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Food masher
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Medium saucepan
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Liquid measuring cup and measuring spoons
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh cranberries Can use fresh or frozen; rinse well.
- 1 Honeycrisp apple 1 large, cored and chopped (about 1½–2 cups).
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup orange juice
- 3 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
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Core and chop the apple into small pieces.
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Add the chopped apple and 1/4 cup water to a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apple softens.
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Stir in the cranberries and cook about 3 minutes, until many cranberries begin to pop.
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Mash the softened cranberries and apples together with a food masher to reach your preferred texture.
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Stir in 1/4 cup orange juice, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Cook 1–2 minutes more to combine, then remove from heat and let cool.
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Optional: stir in 1 teaspoon orange zest while the sauce is still warm for extra brightness.
Notes
- Keep apple skins on for color and fiber; they soften during cooking.
- Substitute a different sweet apple if needed; smaller apples may require two.
- Smaller apple pieces reduce cooking time and blend better with cranberries.
- Frozen cranberries may extend cook time slightly.
- If you don’t have orange juice, replace with a bit more water and brown sugar or use apple juice/cider.
- The recipe scales easily—double or triple as needed.
- Kids often enjoy leftovers plain, with crackers, or on sandwiches.
- Leftover fresh cranberries freeze well in a resealable bag for later use.
* Nutrition information is an estimate and may vary based on ingredients and amounts used.