Crockpot Cranberry Sauce

This Crockpot Cranberry Sauce is a Thanksgiving staple! It’s the perfect balance of tart and sweet with just the right amount of citrus. Simple to make and refined sugar-free!

How to Make Cranberry Sauce in Your Slow Cooker

Forget the over-sweetened, canned cranberry sauce this year…because this Crockpot Cranberry Sauce is so easy to make. You literally just throw all of your ingredients in the slow cooker, then let it work its magic. 

You get to come back to a sweet, tart, delicious holiday classic ready to go! This cranberry sauce is made with super simple ingredients and it’s refined-sugar free! 

Ingredients Needed:

This homemade cranberry sauce is made with just a few simple ingredients and naturally sweetened with coconut sugar and honey! Here’s what you’ll need:

• Cranberries: good rinse and pick through to remove any soft or wrinkly ones
• Apples: peeled, cored, and diced. 
• Water: water makes this into a sauce.
• Orange: we’re using both orange juice and orange zest to add the perfect amount of citrus flavor.
• Sweetener: this cranberry sauce is sweetened with a mixture of coconut palm sugar and raw honey.
• Cinnamon: for a little sweet spice and warmth.

How to Make Cranberry Sauce in the Crockpot

This simple cranberry orange sauce requires no more than 10 minutes of hands-on time! Just throw everything into the slow cooker and let it do its thing.

1. Combine and cook: Add all of the ingredients to the slow cooker, then cook on high for 3 hours.
2. Mash and cook more: Use a potato masher to mash the sauce, then cook for another hour with the lid slightly ajar. 

How Do You Get the Bitterness out of Cranberry Sauce?

If your cranberry sauce is a little too tart for your tastes, you can easily just add more honey. I recommend starting with less, then adding more to taste until it’s sweet enough for you!

Why is my Homemade Cranberry Sauce Watery?

It’s super important that you leave the lid on the crockpot ajar for the last hour of cooking time. This allows the excess moisture to evaporate as the sauce cooks, so it thickens up nicely. 

Is your sauce still too watery? Transfer it to a saucepan and let it simmer on low until thickened or simply cook longer in the crockpot.

How to Store Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Leftover cranberry sauce will last in an airtight container in the fridge for 7-10 days. Since it can be stored for so long, it’s an excellent make-ahead dish so you can get ahead on holiday cooking!

When you’re ready to serve again, serve cold or reheat over low heat on the stove.

Can You Freeze Cranberry Sauce?

You can! Homemade cranberry sauce can be stored in an airtight container or ziplock baggie in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to serve, simply thaw in the fridge, then serve cold or warm on the stove.

Serving Suggestions

Cranberry sauce is a holiday classic, so serve it warm or cold alongside any of your favorite Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes! 

It’s also delicious as a spread for breakfast or served on Potato Latkes or Sweet Potato Latkes!

Other Holiday Favorites:

• Honey Glazed Carrots
• Harvest Salad with Maple Balsamic Dressing
• How to Roast a Thanksgiving Turkey
• Green Bean Casserole
• Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
• Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie
• Gluten Free Apple Pie

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