Until I began a grain-free lifestyle, I thought homemade cranberry sauce was a role for Martha Stewart. I believed only someone who could fold a fitted sheet was domestically gifted enough to make homemade cranberry sauce.
When I cut out refined sugar from my diet, the traditional canned cranberry sauce became off limits. Fortunately, homemade paleo cranberry sauce requires just three ingredients and about 10 minutes.
This version uses a splash of maple syrup to sweeten without overpowering the vibrant flavor of fresh berries.
- 12 oz fresh cranberries
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- 1 orange
- Zest and juice the orange. Place the orange zest, juice, cranberries and maple syrup in a saucepan. Cover partially, and cook for 10-15 minutes until thickened. Stir occasionally with a spatula.
- Optionally (this is what I prefer), use an immersion blender to create a smoother sauce.
- Chill until ready to serve. It lasts for about 5 days in the fridge.

Yum,
I can’t wait to try your recipe. I have just left the sugar behind. It’s not easy to find healthy sweet recipes.
Thank you for sharing,
I make a similar sauce and love it! Sometimes I add a little diced apple to change things up. This honestly tastes better (and fresher) than anything that comes in a can. I prefer mine chunky, but the immersion blender is a great idea to make it seem more like the store bought kind.
I use a little honey and pineapple with my cranberries. So easy and always comes out great.
To make it a “spiced” cranberry sauce, follow the recipe but also reserve some of the orange peel and dice it into fine cubes. Scrape those in with the berries. Then sprinkle some cinnamon on top before you cook it. A dash or several.
Yum.
Yummy! This paleo cranberry sauce looks is really awesome! This recipe gives me an excuse to trying it! Thanks for share…
I loved it and yes it was so easy. Thank you.
Is this on medium heat or boil then simmer? Looks tasty!!!
I would think if you were cooking it for ten to fifteen minutes that you would have to simmer not boil for that amount of time of it would burn… i havent tried to make it but this is just my thought,best of intent!
Thanks for the delicious recipe! It went over great at thanksgiving