Cranberry sauce in a can has a special cult following, but the Jello-like substance that maintains the impression of the ridged can doesn’t hold a candle up to the real stuff.

Sorry, we know it’s a touchy debate, but the homemade stuff boasts far more depth of flavor and nixes the obscene amount of corn syrup, both high-fructose and not. Just stuff this recipe into a can if you’ve got can die-hards at your table this Thanksgiving.

Debates aside, cranberry sauce is mercifully very simple to make Paleo. In fact, it’s simple to make, period. It requires you to throw a few ingredients into a sauce pan, boil until the cranberries pop into a sauce, and then leave it alone to set for an hour or so. It also tastes like autumn incarnate, with notes of tart cranberries, maple, orange zest and spice milling about in a sauce suited to top your bacon-wrapped turkey or eat all on its own.

Want to go Paleo? Not sure where to start?
Start with this FREE Paleo For Beginners Guide Today!

The trick to getting an adequately thick cranberry sauce is resisting the urge to throw it into the fridge promptly after cooking. When left at room temperature, the pectin released by bursting cranberries will set into a jelly, with sugar helping the firming process along. Of course, if you’re in a time crunch or want to serve the sauce warm, you can make a quick slurry of water and tapioca starch or arrowroot powder and whisk it into the sauce as it cooks. This will thicken it immediately.

Cranberry purists can feel free to omit the oranges (but not the zest, it’s amazing, trust us). If you’re of the opinion that more is always better, add nuts like walnuts, pecans or other festive varieties. Dried fruits like apricots or dates add sweetness and texture, while fresh grapes, pineapple and apple add crunch to your sauce. Have fun and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Courtney Hamilton

Homemade Paleo Cranberry Sauce

Share on Facebook Pin It Tweet Email It

Total time:30 mins

Cook Time:20 mins 20 minutes

Prep Time: 10 mins 10 minutes

Serves:4

Homemade Paleo Cranberry Sauce

Recipe by: Courtney Hamilton

This homemade cranberry sauce tastes like autumn incarnate, with notes of tart cranberries, maple, orange zest and spice.

Tools

• Microplane or a Grater
• Saucepan
• Mixing bowl

Ingredients

• 1 12 oz package cranberries
• 4 small oranges (mandarin, clementine or any variety you prefer)
• ½ cup maple syrup
• ½ cup coconut sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 t cinnamon

Instructions

• Rinse your cranberries. Wash oranges, then zest all four oranges using a Microplane or a Grater. Peel oranges and segment them.
• In a saucepan, add cranberries, oranges, orange zest, maple syrup, coconut sugar, water and cinnamon. Bring mixture to a boil – be careful, cranberries will be bursting.
• Once boiling, turn heat to low. Simmer sauce for 20 minutes. If you’d like, whisk in your slurry here.
• Pour sauce into a bowl and allow it to cool and set at room temperature for at least one hour. Store in fridge until ready to serve.

Looking for Paleo ingredients? Here are a few we’d recommend:
Maple syrup (Hidden Springs Maple)
Coconut sugar (Wholesome)

(You’ll Also Love: Cranberry Recipes – 30 Decadent Desserts, Dinners, and Side Dishes)