This Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce Recipe uses only three simple ingredients. It’s low carb, sugar-free, and keto-friendly, making it an ideal condiment for holiday meals or any time you want a tangy, guilt-free topping.
Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce Ingredients
To make this cranberry sauce without sugar, you only need three pantry staples. Quantities and full instructions are included below in the recipe card.
- Frozen cranberries
- Powdered Swerve (or another powdered sugar substitute)
- Water
How to Make Cranberry Sauce Without Sugar
This healthy cranberry sauce comes together in about 15 minutes and requires virtually no prep. It’s straightforward and great for busy holiday kitchens.
- Combine ingredients in a saucepan. In a small saucepan, add the frozen cranberries, powdered Swerve (start with the amount suggested in the recipe and adjust to taste), and water. Stir to combine.
- Cook until cranberries pop. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for about 15 minutes, or until the cranberries begin to burst and soften.
- Texture and mash. For a chunkier sauce, leave most berries whole. For a smoother texture, press about half the cranberries with a potato masher or the back of a spoon.
- Cool and thicken. Remove from heat and cool completely so the sauce can thicken. Chilling the sauce in the refrigerator will set it further.
Why Use Powdered Swerve?
Powdered Swerve or a powdered sweetener blends into the sauce more smoothly and helps prevent crystallization during refrigeration. If you plan to serve the sauce immediately, a granular sweetener or liquid sweetener could work, but powdered forms deliver the most consistent texture for storage.
Variations
If you want to change the flavor profile, try adding orange zest and a splash of fresh orange juice for brightness—reduce the water slightly if you add juice. You can also mix in other berries, such as raspberries or blackberries, to create a mixed-berry sauce with a similar low-sugar approach.
What to Serve with Keto Cranberry Sauce
This cranberry sauce pairs beautifully with turkey, chicken, or pork. It’s also delicious spooned over yogurt, mixed into oatmeal, spread on toast, or layered on a sandwich—especially turkey sandwiches with leftover holiday meat. Use it as a topping for muffins, pancakes, or low-carb desserts for a tart, flavorful contrast.
Storage Instructions
Transfer cooled cranberry sauce to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to five days when made with powdered Swerve. For longer storage, freeze the sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to one month. Thaw in the refrigerator and stir gently before serving.
Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce Recipe
A quick, three-ingredient cranberry sauce that is sugar free, low carb, and keto-friendly. Makes a bright, tart accompaniment for holiday meals and everyday dishes.
Prep Time: 1 min | Cook Time: 15 mins | Total Time: 16 mins | Servings: 6 | Calories: 35 kcal per serving
Ingredients
- 16 oz frozen cranberries
- 1 cup powdered Swerve (more or less to taste)
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Place cranberries, powdered Swerve, and water in a small saucepan. Stir to combine.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for about 15 minutes, until cranberries begin to pop.
- Optional: use a potato masher to press about half of the cranberries for a mix of whole and mashed berries.
- Remove from heat, cool completely, and refrigerate until thickened before serving.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 35 kcal | Carbohydrates: 9 g | Protein: 0.3 g | Fat: 0.1 g | Fiber: 3 g | Sugar: 3 g
Nutrition information is an estimate calculated with online tools and should be used as a general guide.
Recipe by Emily Pecoraro
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