This 21 Day Fix Low-Sugar Apple-Cranberry Sauce is a beautiful addition to any holiday table and can be made in either an Instant Pot or on the stovetop.
This post, originally published 11/17/16, has been updated to include frequently asked questions and Instant Pot directions making it easier than ever! Hope you guys love it!
Hiya foodies! How're things? Are you ready for some Turkey day action? I know, what you're really looking forward to is talking politics with your good ol' Uncle Joe, right? Yep. Good times.
Speaking of, my awesome brother-in-law recently lightened the post-election mood on Facebook by starting this very serious debate - cranberry sauce: yes or no? <-- This is why we love him, folks.
The answer was a resounding yes. Because OF COURSE. Cranberry sauce is a necessity!
How else are we supposed to plow through that enormous Thanksgiving day dish of delight if we don't have something deliciously tart to cut the richness? It's a must.
Plus it's pretty, don't forget that. ⇓
However... what is not a must is the loaded-with-an-insane-amount-of-sugar stuff. Homemade or otherwise.
I'm here to tell you, I love the shaped-like-a-can cranberry sauce as much as the next gal, but it has nothing on this ridiculously easy, way-less-sugar version.
Before we get onto the recipe, let's get to some cranberry sauce questions that you may have 🙂
How do you make cranberry sauce taste great with less sugar?
Let apples do the work! We're able to use â…“ of the amount of sugar in most cranberry sauce recipes because of the addition of sweet apples.
Will cranberry sauce thicken as it cools?
Yes, it will!
Can cranberry sauce be frozen?
Yep! I've frozen it before and it worked out great!
Can this Low-Sugar Apple Cranberry Sauce be doubled?
Absolutely, it'll just take a little longer to cook down.
Is this cranberry sauce vegan?
Yes 🙂
Is this recipe gluten-free?
It is!
Can this less-sugar cranberry sauce be made ahead?
Yep! This will last a good 4-5 days in the fridge and is as good on the last day as it is on the first!
Is this cranberry sauce with apples healthy?
While many cranberry sauces are loaded with sugar, since this one isn't, I would definitely consider it healthy. Cranberries are really high in nutrients and antioxidants, so enjoy!
What's the difference between cranberry sauce and cranberry relish?
Cranberry sauce is cooked and cranberry relish is uncooked - usually cranberries are put into a food processor with nuts and sugar and processed into a relish-like consistency. I should totally get a cranberry relish up on the blog, they're so good, too!
What does Low-Sugar Apple-Cranberry sauce go well with?
- Of course, all of the Thanksgiving things, like this delish Brown Rice and Sausage Stuffing, and my easy Slow-Cooker Turkey Breast with gravy.
- Put it on toast instead of jam.
- It would be amazing on this Fully Loaded Autumn Sandwich instead of the fresh cranberries for a fun change 🙂
- Spread on some pancakes or even on this Pumpkin French Toast from my friend, Carrie! OMG, I really need this right now, you guys.
- It would also be great stirred into oatmeal or yogurt!
Do you know what else I really love about this recipe? After the apples cook in the sauce, they end up being the perfect apple pie texture, and that completely won me over.
If you've never made homemade cranberry sauce before you're in for a surprise. There are only two steps to making it, it's so stinkin' easy!
How to Make Low-Sugar Cranberry Sauce on the Stovetop:
- Put the apples, cranberries, water and sugar in a pot.
- Cook, uncovered, giving 'em a stir every now and again until it looks like cranberry sauce. It's kind of magical, really.
- Ok, so there's three. But the third one is just refrigerate. That doesn't really count, does it? Once it refrigerates, it'll get a little thicker too.
See?? It couldn't be easier! Wait - just kidding - there's actually one way for it to be even easier! By making it in the Instant Pot which involves no watching or stirring! Plus it can be made ahead (Instant Pot or stovetop) so that's a huge bonus in my book.
Hope you guys love this one and that it makes an appearance on your Thanksgiving table!
If you make this Instant Pot low sugar cranberry sauce, be sure to snap a pic and tag me @thefoodieandthefix or use #thefoodieandthefix on Instagram so I can check it out! It makes me ridiculously happy to see what you guys are making 🙂
Want more recipes to round out your holiday dinner? Here's a great list full of delish and secretly healthy Thanksgiving recipes and a ton of tips on eating well on the big day!
Thanksgiving: 21 Day Fix-Style
Don't forget to save this Instant Pot Low-Sugar Apple-Cranberry Sauce to Pinterest! ↓
Just FYI – this recipe has only been tested in the Instant Pot 6-quart duo (which you can check out here! <- affiliate link) – If you have an 8 qt, you may need to add more liquid or double the recipe.
📖 Recipe
Low-Sugar Apple Cranberry Sauce
This easy low-sugar cranberry sauce is sweetened with apples and a small amount of raw sugar. A cranberry sauce you can feel good about that everyone will love!
Ingredients
- 1 (12 oz) bag of fresh cranberries, fresh or frozen
- 3 cups peeled and chopped gala apples (about 3 small)
- â…“ cup raw sugar
- 1 ½ cups water (only use ¼ cup for the Instant Pot)
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions:
- Put the cranberries, apples, raw sugar and ¼ water into the IP liner and give them a stir. Close lid, set to sealing and cook on manual (or pressure cook) for ZERO minutes (yes!!), then immediately release the pressure after cooking.
- Once pressure is fully released, remove lid, give it a stir and put it into a container to refrigerate. It'll thicken up even more once refrigerated.
Stovetop Instructions:
- Put all ingredients into a medium pot over medium heat. Cook until cranberries pop and mixture thickens, about 20 minutes if your cranberries are frozen. Less if they're raw. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
21 Day Fix Container Counts per Serving: ½ Purple, 1 teaspoon sugar
Weight Watchers Freestyle Points: 1
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 15 Serving Size: ¼ cupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 40Total Fat: 0g
Donna says
Very good. Also used maple syrup in place of sugar. Used 1 cup orange juice and half a cup of water. Was a little too soupy, so I thickened it up with some corn starch. It's like eating apple sauce with cranberries. Yum!
Stephanie says
I'm so thrilled it was a hit! Thanks so much for letting me know, it made my day. 🙂
Elizabeth says
So glad I found this recipe. I added the zest and juice of an orange and used 1/4 cup of maple syrup as my sugar. It was delicious.
Stephanie says
I'm so glad! Sounds delicious with your changes, too!
Sherry says
Hi Steph,so glad I found you, just diagnosed with diabetes ,can I use something like Stevia in the raw instead of regular raw sugar, and would I change the amount of tablespoons,never made real cranberry sauce before always ate store bought, but I saw your recipe and so want to try it THANK YOU
Stephanie says
Hey Sherry! What a difficult transition, especially right before the holidays! You can definitely use stevia in the raw. You probably need less, I'm honestly not sure of the amount. I would just add little by little until you get the sweetness that you want! I'm making this recipe for Thanksgiving too! I hope you love it 🙂
Sherry says
Thank you so much Steph , I’ll let you know how it turns out .
Diane says
Excellent Recipe........I like orange in with my cranberry sauce so I did make a small change.....added 1 peeled Orange cut up in very small pieces and cut the sugar down to 4 tbs. Loved Loved the results. Next time I'm going to add chopped pecans, love the nutty texture.
Stephanie says
Thanks, Diane! I bet the orange was great in here! I've had nuts in cranberry sauce before and it's really good that way, too!
Sabrina @ Familynano says
Perfect, Stephanie ! I was just on here a few days ago searching cranberry sauce recipes and didn’t find one. I’ve made it before but I knew if you had a version it would be the best. Thanks!
Stephanie says
So sweet of you to say, Sabrina! Thank you!
Amanda @ The Pretend Baker says
LOVE THIS! I, too, am no longer on board with the overly sugary sauce... even homemade! It's just too much. There's no reason we should feel like crap after dinner! Totally going to make this for sandwiches and to put on meatloaf (seriously, so good) instead of the sugary stuff!
As always, you're blowing my mind Steph!
Stephanie says
Thanks, Amanda! We're totally on the same page with the meatloaf! I've done that before and it's SO GOOD!!
Kate @ Framed Cooks says
I definitely vote a resounding YES on the cranberry sauce question, and I am SO HAPPY to have your low sugar version just in the nick of time! Pinning!!
Stephanie says
Right?! Thanks, Kate and thanks for pinning!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I'm in awe that we're less than a week away from Thanksgiving! Where has the time gone?! I love your brother-in-law's question on fb! And I agree, cranberry sauce is pretty much an American staple for Thanksgiving. I've never tried an apple cranberry combo, though. This looks SO pretty! And I love that it's not loaded with too much sugar. Just what I need for the holidays!
Stephanie says
Agreed! It's GOT to be there, right?! You don't really taste the apples so much (cranberries have such a strong flavor!), they just a little extra sweetness. I'm always looking for ways to cut added sugar! Thanks, Gayle!
karrie @ Tasty Ever After says
I like your bro-in-law and surprised he wasn't crying in the corner like everyone else. lol! Yes to cranberry sauce and lots of it! Pinned this delish recipe because I'm going to make it this weekend with a local farm pork roast I just picked up today. It looks so good, I can't even wait until Thanksgiving to try it! Plus, it's going to be perfect with the pork. I bet it would be so yummy on top of oatmeal for breakfast too 🙂
Stephanie says
Hahaha! Right?! I hope this isn't too forward, but I might love you. Just sayin'. I'm so excited that you're making this this weekend! It'll definitely be perfect with the pork, I hope you love it, Karrie! Yes! Great idea on the oatmeal! Thanks for pinning, my friend! XO
Demeter | Beaming Baker says
Hiya Steph! I'm half and half on cranberry sauce... unless you're making it, of course! 🙂 Well, now that I've read your reasoning--namely cutting the richness factor, and the prettiness of this sauce--I'm ON BOARD!! Plus, how seriously beautiful are these photos? The cranberry color just pops. 🙂 Also, "And I’m no slouch (just kidding, I’m totally a slouch)" Lololololol. Ya know I love all of your wonderfully awesome humor. And that lil nugget just proves how freaking awesome you are. Love the combo of apples and cranberries. What could be better? 🙂 Happy early Thanksgiving!!! Bog hogs! xo
Stephanie says
Hiya Demeter! Haha... glad I've got you on board! See? Cranberry sauce just makes sense. Ikr? Love that pretty cranberry color. Thanks, lady! You're pretty awesome yourself! Bog hogs and a Happy early Thanksgiving back at ya! XO
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
What an awesome idea to add some apples Stephanie! Thanksgiving would not be Thanksgiving without the cranberry sauce! Can't wait to try this recipe!
Stephanie says
Thanks, Mary Ann! I couldn't agree more, gotta have those cranberries!