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    Allianna's Kitchen » Recipes » Fall

    Published: Oct 26, 2020 · Modified: May 4, 2024 by Allianna Moximchalk · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

    Whole30 Cranberry Sauce

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    This Whole30 Cranberry Sauce is exactly what you need on your thanksgiving table. The combination of orange, maple, cinnamon and cranberries makes this cranberry sauce tart but yet so sweet. It is the perfect side to meet all of your holiday needs. With this side dish only taking 10 minutes to prep it is not only a delicious clean thanksgiving recipe, but it is easy and quick!

    Cooked cranberry sauce garnished with orange zest and orange sliced in a white baking dish.

    There is something about cranberries and oranges that scream winter. I love the cranberry orange combination. If you love this recipe you will love the other cranberry and orange recipes on my blog like my Gluten Free Orange Cake and Cranberry BBQ Meatballs. This recipe is a great addition to your Thanksgiving spread with my Dairy Free Green Bean Casserole as well.

    Jump to:
    • Why This Recipe Works
    • Ingredients
    • Recipe Substitutions
    • How To Make
    • Recipe FAQ’s
    • Other Paleo Thanksgiving Side Dishes
    • Did you try this recipe?
    • Whole30 Cranberry Sauce

    Why This Recipe Works

    • This Paleo Cranberry Sauce is full of flavor and so easy to make around the holidays.
    • You can prepare this recipe ahead of time which means it is one less thing you have to do on actual Thanksgiving!
    • This recipe is naturally paleo, vegan, Whole30, dairy free, gluten free, grain free and autoimmune protocol (AIP) friendly.
    • While this recipe is so easy to make, if you would prefer to have it delivered to you-check out my meal prep delivery service based in Pittsburgh.
    • This recipe only takes 5 minutes to prep.
    • I love pairing this recipe with just about anything. From paleo mashed potatoes to turkey, it is the best sauce!

    Ingredients

    Whole30 cranbery sauce ingredients laid out in clear bowls.

    Cranberries– Cranberries are known for being one of nature’s superfoods! They are loaded with antioxidants. While they typically aren’t eaten alone because of their tart flavor, they pair super well with anything sweet. In this recipe I like to use fresh cranberries. 

    Oranges- The natural sugars from the oranges naturally cut the tart flavor of the cranberries. 

    Maple syrup- Since cranberries natural flavor is pretty tart it is important to pair that tart flavor with something sweet, this is where the maple syrup comes into play! However, if you are following the whole30 you can omit the maple syrup and use the dates and orange juice alone. 

    Dates– The dates add an additional layer of sweet to these muffins. Dates are naturally whole30 compliant and one of my favorite ways to sweeten whole30 dishes. 

    Cinnamon- Adds a nice layer of warmth to this recipe.

    Recipe Substitutions

    You can substitute honey for the maple syrup.

    Fresh cranberries in a pot.
    Step 1: Place the cranberries in a pot to cook on the stove.
    Fresh cranberries, orange zest, orange juice and dates in a pot.
    Step 2: Add the orange juice, zest, dates and optional maple syrup to the pot.
    Cooked cranberry sauce in a gray pan.
    Step 3: Mix around the sauce in a pan over medium heat on the stovetop until it reaches a boil for 12 minutes.
    Hand holding an orange zesting it over a lemon zester over a white casserole dish filled with cooked cranberry sauce.
    Step 4: Zest optional additional orange zest over top to garnish.

    How To Make

    • First things first, you want to soak the dates in boiling hot water for 10 minutes. This will allow the dates to be a lot softer and easier to dice up. 
    • Next, you want to zest the oranges. This will add the additional flavor to this paleo orange cranberry sauce. Then, you will cut the orange in half and juice it by squeezing it with our hands. 
    • Now, you should add all other ingredients to a large saucepan and bring to a boil on medium heat for 12 minutes. It is important for the refined sugar free cranberry sauce to be continuously mixed or it could burn on the bottom. So mix it up!
    • Once the cranberry sauce is cooked, I like to garnish it with additional orange zest to make it pretty.
    Close up photo of cooked cranberry sauce in a casserole dish with orange zest and orange sliced on top.

    Recipe FAQ’s

    Can I Prep In Advance?

    Absolutely! You can prepare this recipe up to 5 days prior to eating it.

    Can I Use Canned Cranberries?

    I suggest using fresh or frozen. Canned cranberries tend to be more like a jelly.

    How Long Does Cranberry Sauce Last?

    This recipe will last for up to 5 days.

    How Should I Store It?

    I suggest storing it in an air tight glass container.

    What Goes Well With Cranberry Sauce?

    I am obsessed with pairing cranberry sauce with mashed potatoes! My Whole30 Mashed Potatoes are my favorite!

    Other Paleo Thanksgiving Side Dishes

    • Dairy free gravy in a bowl with a piece of fresh thyme on top.
      Dairy Free Gravy
    • dairy free green bean casserole on plates
      Dairy Free Green Bean Casserole
    • side view of turkey
      Turkey Breast Dutch Oven Recipe
    • Close up photo of mashed potatoes in a bowl with gravy, parsley and red pepper flakes on top.
      Gluten Free Mashed Potatoes

    Did you try this recipe?

    Leave a rating and review below. Be sure to tag me on instagram @alliannaskitchen

    instagram
    cranberry sauce in bowl with towel

    Whole30 Cranberry Sauce

    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 12 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 12 minutes minutes
    Total Time 24 minutes minutes
    Servings 5 servings
    Author Allianna Moximchalk
    128kcal
    Cost $5
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    Equipment

    • large saucepan

    Ingredients

    • 4 cups fresh cranberries
    • 2 whole oranges zested and juiced.
    • 1/2 cup maple syrup Make sure it is pure maple syrup. Omit for whole30.
    • 8 whole dates Soaked in hot/ boiling water.
    • 1/2 cup filtered water
    • 1/2 tsp cinnamon

    OPTIONAL: to garnish

    • orange zest

    Instructions

    • Mince the pitted dates. Wash the cranberries and add them to the saucepan with the dates. Zest the oranges, then cut them in half and squeeze to juice. Add the zest and juice to the pan. Add the (optional if doing Whole30) maple syrup and filtered water. Bring the saucepan to medium heat and cook for 12 minutes. Mix the cranberry sauce with a metal spoon throughout (it will stain wood.) Now, after the 12 minutes is up remove from the pan and add the addition orange zest on top if desired.
      If you enjoyed this recipe it would mean the world to me if you rated it and left a comment below. It helps others find it on google.

    Notes

    Storage: You can store this cranberry sauce in a glass container. 
    Nutrition: The calorie count for this recipe is an estimate not an exact. 
    Servings: This recipe should yield 5 servings. 
    This paleo and whole30 cranberry sauce is the perfect combination between sweet and tart.
    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 128kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 151mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 48IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Tag me on instagram @alliannaskitchen!

    More Gluten Free Fall Recipes

    • Roasted cauliflower and carrots on a brown plate with fresh parsley on top.
      Roasted Carrots and Cauliflower
    • Gingerbread cocktail in a brown glass with bells on top and a gingerbread man standing next to the cup.
      Gingerbread Cocktail
    • Italian wedding soup in a bowl with fresh parsley sprinkled on top.
      Gluten Free Italian Wedding Soup
    • Allianna. 2024 Shoots.
      Getting Your Home Ready For Fall

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Debbie says

      November 18, 2022 at 1:22 pm

      The recipe does not say when to add the dates?!

      Reply
      • Allianna Moximchalk says

        November 28, 2022 at 8:12 am

        You can add it when boiling 🙂

        Reply
    2. Kirsty says

      November 24, 2021 at 8:05 pm

      5 stars
      Perfect quick, easy and healthy side dish for the holidays. I outsourced my entire meal except for this since it’s minimal mess and effort yet so delicious.

      Reply
      • Allianna Moximchalk says

        November 27, 2021 at 5:06 pm

        I am so glad you liked it!

        Reply
    5 from 1 vote

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