Paleo Cranberry Sauce – no processed sugar, zesty, and tang citrus cranberry sauce. Why would you buy that stuff from a can?
Somehow along the way, I have become a food snob. Now don't get me wrong, if someone is kind enough to make me or buy me dinner, I will graciously accept and eat what is put before me. But whenever I can, I choose the homemade. The fresh. The local.
Now I realize not everyone is comfortable or enjoys spending their time in the kitchen, but this paleo cranberry sauce is so easy! It can be made ahead of time and preserved or made fresh, and you know there is no added anything: sugar, corn starch, chemicals, insect or rodent droppings. The FDA has an entire book on manufactured foods and acceptable contaminates. I don't recommend looking at the link if you are squeamish. The acceptable levels of mold in cranberry sauce, less than 15%. Cool, you'll probably be okay. Bet it's not the worst thing you've ever eaten. And insects add protein? No big deal…
Cranberry Sauce Mold (AOAC 970.76) Average mold count is more than 15% OR The mold count of any 1 subsample is more than 50%.
Raj has said it a few times and I agree, “food is love”, and when you open a can, there isn't much romance. Not that you always need romance for love, I can attest, single girl, lots of love, not much romance. But from what I remember, romance was nice. So bring home some flowers, use the good table-cloth, and a romantic dinner with fresh paleo cranberry sauce love.
By the way, Paleo Cranberry Sauce is great with the Paleo Thanksgiving for Two and don't forget the Candied Maple Pecan Yams! I think this citrus cranberry sauce should be the standard holiday sauce!

Paleo Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 6 cups cranberries fresh or frozen
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2/3 cup maple syrup
Instructions
- Place cranberries in a pot, add water orange juice and maple syrup.
- Bring to a gentle boil on high heat stirring regularly.
- Reduce to a simmer, add cinnamon and orange zest, stir often.
- Continue to simmer until most of the cranberries “pop” and the sauce thickens to desired texture.
Notes
I boiling-bath-canned this cranberry sauce, so on Thanksgiving I simply open a jar and place it on the table. It's a great and economical preserve, when cranberries are deeply discounted after the holiday to do up for gifts, for potlucks or future turkey meals!
- Category: Sauce
- Cuisine: Holiday
I love the colour of cranberry sauce as well as the flavour. I do a similar one, ie. ingredients are similar, but it is not cooked. Happy Thanksgiving!
Not cooked? Interesting… happy thanksgiving to you too! Enjoy the family time
Yeah, it’s like a cranberry chutney.
How many does this serve?
It made 4 500ml jars of cranberry sauce. Enough to feed a few! 🙂
I am confused by the note at the bottom. Did you put these in a hot bath or did you refrigerate after making?
I water bath canned, but if you are feeding a large crew, or aren’t comfortable canning, you can simply refrigerate!
Do you have nutritional value for this?
Hi Michele,
This sauce is real food made from real ingredients with love. Good for your body, mind and spirit.
As for numbers… no, sorry. We could use a plugin for an only-so-accurate automated calculation, but neither of us encourage focusing on dietary numbers as much as focusing on the quality of ingredients. BUT, if we see a demand from readers I’d consider looking into such a plugin.
Such a beautiful color! Love this clean version and I make a similar recipe every Thanksgiving.
So much yum! I love homemade cranberry sauce!
Have you seen Holley’s Port Cranberry Sauce?
https://www.theprimaldesire.com/adult-port-cranberry-sauce/
I bet that maple syrup makes it taste SO good! Yum! Cranberries are my favorite with every bite of turkey!!
I’m in love with this gorgeous cranberry recipe. Looks so bright and delicious!
I love cranberry and orange together, and that touch of cinnamon sounds delicious!
This is the ONLY way to make homemade cranberry sauce! Looks amazing!
I make a similar cranberry sauce to this one, but I’ve never added cinnamon to the mixture – definitely going to give this a try!
I’m not usually into cranberry sauce, but this one looks so tasty!
I’m obsessed with fruit jam and sauce lately. Have to try this recipe very soon !
YUM! Homemade cranberry sauce is the way to go. Never canned. Look amazing.