Published: · Modified: by Emily Criswell · I may receive commissions from purchases made through links in this article · 64 Comments
Healthy Cherry Cranberry Sauce is a must for the holidays. Skip the canned stuff and make this instead! It's easy to make, naturally sweetened, chock-full of cranberries, cherries and apples, with a hint of orange and cinnamon.
this RECIPE
The holidays are not the same without healthier, homemade cranberry sauce!
This healthy cherry cranberry sauce is one of my favorite things to make for the holidays. I love how it fills the house with its sweet aroma.
I have been making this healthy cherry cranberry sauce for many years.
It reminds me of the one that my mom made {with apples and orange juice} when I was growing up. I love the flavor combination and the addition of the extra fruit.
I’ve tried to mix it up over the years and add different things like fresh ginger, cloves, fresh apple juice, more honey, etc. but I always come back to this recipe, it’s my all time favorite.
Make this sauce the day before your holiday meal. It keeps well in the refrigerator and tastes even better the next day.
Healthy Cherry Cranberry Sauce
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Skip the canned cranberry sauce and make this amazing Healthy Cherry Cranberry Sauce for the holidays instead. It's easy to make, naturally sweetened, chock-full of cranberries, cherries and apples, with a hint of orange and cinnamon.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups fresh organic cranberries {frozen is fine}
- 1 cup frozen organic sweet cherries
- 1 medium-size organic apple {I use Fuji}, peeled and finely diced
- Zest of organic orange
- 1 organic orange {I use Valencia}, halved and juiced
- 2 organic cinnamon sticks {I always buy these in bulk to save money}
- ½ cup honey {make sure to use a lighter honey like clover - not wildflower honey}
Instructions
- Wash the cranberries, apple and orange. Peel and finely dice the apple. Zest the orange withmicroplanezester/standing grater zester. Cut orange in half to juice.
- Place the cranberries, frozen cherries, diced apple, orange zest, cinnamon sticks and honey in saucepan. Squeeze/juice the orange halves over the fruit, any pulp that falls into the saucepan is fine.
- Cover the saucepan and bring to a boil. Once it's boiling, remove the lid and reduce the heat to a simmer and simmer for about 30-35 minutes or until the sauce has thickened. [Note: Sauce will thicken more when cooled/refrigerated.]
- If you prefer a chunkier cranberry sauce, remove the cinnamon sticks and leave as is. If you prefer a smoother sauce, remove the cinnamon sticks and add contents to a food processor - pulse to combine until smooth {or use an immersion blender}.
- Transfer the cranberry sauce to a glass storage dish, cover and refrigerate for later {you can serve immediately if you prefer a warm/hot cranberry sauce}. Store in the refrigerator.
Notes
Note:If you prefer a sweeter sauce, add another ¼ - ½ cup honey. I use Valencia oranges because they tend to be sweeter than Navel oranges this time of year, they also tend to be juicier – Navel oranges tend to be more tart and have less juice. I prefer using a sweeter apple, Fuji is usually the least expensive at my local co-op, but any sweet apple would work fine.
Vegan-Option:Coconut palm sugarororganic maple syrup grade Bcould be substituted instead of honey.
Storage:Make this sauce the day before your holiday meal. It keeps well, up to 3 days, in the refrigerator and tastes even better the next day.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 164Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 3mgCarbohydrates: 44gFiber: 4gSugar: 37gProtein: 1g
This nutritional information was auto-generated based on serving size, number of servings, and typical information for the ingredients listed. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, please calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients and amounts used, using your preferred nutrition calculator. Under no circ*mstances shall the this website and the author be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on the given nutritional information. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
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About Emily Criswell
Emily Criswell is a chocolate- and sweet treat-loving, holistic-minded mom of 4. She's a 4-time cookbook author -The Art of Great Cooking withYour Instant Pot {ranked in Amazon's top 10 new releases - gluten free recipes}, Amazing Mexican Favorites with Your Instant Pot{ranked as a #1 New Release BEST SELLER!}, Low-Carb Cooking with Your Instant Pot, The Big Book of Instant Pot Recipes, food photographer, homeschooler and the founder of Recipes to Nourish, a gluten-free blog focusing on real food and natural living. She works to empower her readers by showing them that there is a healthier way to eat and live. Her passion is to make healthy, natural living as uncomplicated and enjoyable as possible.Find Emily’s latest recipes and natural living tips atRecipes to Nourish. Connect with her on Facebook, Instagram,Pinterest, Twitterand YouTube plus grab her free eBookHolistic Tips to Keep Your Family Healthy. Read more >>About Emily.
Reader Interactions
Comments
April @ The 21st Century Housewife
I like the addition of the cherries to your cranberry sauce - what a delicious seasonal treat! I've pinned this recipe 🙂
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Emily Sunwell
Thank you April! I LOVE the cherries, they add such a wonderful flavor.
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Alea Milham
This looks amazing! I love the combination of flavors. I am sharing this in my highlights on the Hearth and Soul Hop tonight.
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Emily Sunwell
Thanks Alea! I don't know why I just saw this so late, sorry. Hope all is well.
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Pat @ Elegantly GF
Sounds like a wonderful combination for cranberry sauce -- I'm sure I'd love it!
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andrea
Okay, this looks amazing! I am spending thanksgiving with my mom this year, and I will definitely add this to our list. Pinning!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thanks so much! It's so delicious. I look forward to it every year. I hope you get to make some. Enjoy your time with your mom.
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linda spiker
I make a very similar one! Looks amazing and easy!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
It's so good, right?
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Megan Stevens
This looks just great. Wonderful flavor combinations. Our family would love this. I can heal the cries of pleasure if I make this for Thanksgiving!!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
🙂 Thanks Megan! I love the flavor combos too. There's something about the cherries that takes it to a different level.
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Dina-Marie @ Cultured Palate
What a surprise adding cherries - great idea and sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thanks! The cherries really add a delicious flavor. I love this version so much.
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Jacquelyn @ LittleOwlCrunchyMomma
This sounds divine! I went ahead and added it to my Fresh Cranberries Recipe Collection. Hope that was okay! Let me know if not.
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thanks so much! Totally fine, I appreciate it.
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Anni
Cranberry + Cherry... you know, I never put those two flavors together (mentally or physically)!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
It's so delicious! They really do complement each other.
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Renee Kohley
This looks amazing!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thank you! 🙂
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Tiffany
Hi, Emily ~ This sounds yummy, and I'll bet it smells great, too. Thanks for sharing with us at the Merry Monday Link Party. Hope to see you again on Sunday night!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thanks so much Tiffany! It does smell delicious 🙂
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Megan Stevens
This makes my mouth water! Plus that texture! SO yummy, sure to be POPULAR at any holiday table!! 🙂
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
xo thank you so much Megan! 🙂 It's so nice to have good ole classic favorites for the holidays.
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Lindsey Dietz
Wow! Cranberry, cherry, orange, apple... heavenly flavor combo! I'm not typically a cranberry sauce fan, but I just *might* LOVE this recipe!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
🙂 it's pretty yummy! The cherries add a really nice flavor.
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Yang
The flavour combination you have going in this sauce is amazing! This is going to complement well with many meat entrees.
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thanks so much! It's so yummy with meat dishes. 🙂
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Joni Gomes
Omg why have I never thought to add cherry before? Genius! Plus that gorgeous color 🙂
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
You totally have to! 🙂 It's so good!
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linda spiker
This sauce looks and sounds amazing! Love that you added cherries!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thanks Linda! 🙂 It's so yummy.
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Renee Kohley
We have so many cherries in the freezer from picking this summer! I"m definitely using them for the cranberry sauce this Thanksgiving! Thanks for the great recipe idea!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
I love that you have all of those beauties left from your cherry picking! Enjoy them! I hope you get to use some in some cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving. 🙂
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Jean
The color of this sauce is so vibrant and beautiful! What a great recipe for the holidays.
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thanks Jean! I love the color too. 🙂
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Tina | The Worktop
Yes! It's time for cranberry sauce season 🙂 Loving this with the cherries!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
It's that time of the year, so quickly approaching.
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Carol Little R.H.
I've never had cherries with cranberry before but I will try it next time for a change!
I tend to make the same one ---and it's renowned -- but hey-- it's good to try new ideas!
Pretty too!Reply
Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thanks Carol! I think you'd love this. 🙂
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Carrie
What a gorgeous and healthy recipe, Emily!!! I am going to buy extra cranberries this year so I can make this after the holidays. Yum!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thanks so much Carrie! 🙂
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Cristina Curp
Yum! I'n usually not a fan of cranberry sauce, but you have won me over with this recipe.
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thanks Cristina! 🙂 It's a nice twist on the traditional one.
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Jessica DeMay
This looks a million times better than any canned cranberry sauce. I love the addition of cherries and apples- yum! This would be so perfect for Thanksgiving!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
LOL thank you! 🙂 It's so yummy with the extra fruit.
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Kari
I'm so excited to try this one for Thanksgiving because my mom is a huge fan of cherries, and she's going to flip for this!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Love that! I hope she enjoys it Kari 🙂
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Tina
I'm normally not a huge cranberry sauce fan but DANG this one I am definitely trying!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
It's a fun option with the cherries in there, I love the flavor it adds. 🙂
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Melissa
This is beautiful and looks delicious! I make one I love but the berries sound fun!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thank you Melissa! Enjoy yours for the holidays 🙂
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ChihYu
This sauce looks so gorgeous and delicious ! I'm going to make this for my holiday party !
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thanks so much! I hope everyone enjoys it. 🙂
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Carrie Forrest
I love the color of this sauce. I want to make it for my holiday table. Thanks!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thanks! Hope you get to make some. 🙂
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Katja`
Perfect! Just in time for the holidays. I love that you added cherries. YUM!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thanks! It's such a fun holiday side. 🙂
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Becky Winkler
This looks so good! I don't love traditional cranberry sauce, but bet I'd love this one because I'm a huge cherry fan!!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thanks so much Becky! It's so yummy 🙂
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Stephanie
Oh man, I made this cranberry sauce this afternoon and it is amazing! I’m a huge fan of cranberry sauce, I skip the gravy at thanksgiving and just have cranberry sauce with my turkey. This is going to be my new go-to recipe. With the cherries, orange, apple and cinnamon sticks it tastes like the holiday season. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
I'm so thrilled to hear you enjoyed it! 🙂 I love that cranberry sauce is your preference over gravy. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
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Laura
This sounds really good, but I need a substitute for the LEMON. I'm allergic to all citrus products.
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Emily Vidaurri
Hi Laura, there's no lemon in my recipe - however there is fresh orange juice. I've never made it without, so I don't have a substitute. You could probably replace the orange juice with apple juice if you need an alternative.
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