This Gluten-Free Vegan No-Cook Raw Cranberry Sauce is an easy and healthy recipe to make with only 6 clean, real food ingredients. Because it's a no-cook cranberry sauce, it's ready to enjoy in about 5 minutes and is Medical Medium compliant!
Enjoy my healthy no-cook cranberry sauce recipe not only at Thanksgiving but year-round!
Gluten-Free Vegan No-Cook Raw Cranberry Sauce
Here's why this recipe works - my top 3 reasons:
- Ready to enjoy in less than 5 minutes
- Not just a Thanksgiving side dish
- Made with only 6 clean, real food ingredients
Ready To Enjoy in Less Than 5 Minutes
Most cranberry sauce recipes require stovetop cooking which diminishes the nutritional content of the cranberries and apples.
In my no-cook cranberry sauce recipe, there is no cooking involved
In fact, all you need to do is add all the ingredients to a food processor and it's ready to enjoy in less than 5 minutes!
Not Just a Thanksgiving Side Dish
Every table in America probably has a cranberry sauce dish on the table - either homemade or a canned version.
But this healthy recipe can be enjoyed year-round because of the impressive list of ingredients.
Cranberries, apples, and Medjool dates are all highly recommended foods to consume for liver health by Anthony William in his "Liver Rescue" book.
For example, I try to eat 1-2 apples combined with Medjool dates every day for a healthy snack.
But making my no-cook cranberry sauce is an easier way to consume them and I get the extra benefits of cranberries!
And, make sure you try my Vegan No-Bake Chocolate Chip Cranberry Cheesecake recipe I made using this recipe...it's amazing!
Made With Only 6 Clean, Real Food Ingredients
Did you know store-bought cranberry sauce typically contains high fructose corn syrup?
It's true!
Canned cranberry sauce contains refined sugars and even some homemade versions use refined white sugar as the sweetener.
My healthier recipe uses Medjool dates as a natural sweetener with health benefits that refined white sugar just can't provide.
Here are the typical ingredients in store-bought canned cranberry sauce:
S.A.D. (Standard American Diet) Ocean Spray Canned Cranberry Sauce: Ingredients: Cranberries, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup, Water
Although it has a minimal ingredient list, it is still made with non-organic cranberries (which can be sprayed with up to 13 different pesticides) and contains both GMO corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup.
You can feel good about the ingredients in my homemade cranberry sauce like cranberries, apples, Medjool dates, vanilla bean powder, ground cinnamon, and ground clove.
My healthy version is organic, plant-based, raw, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo-friendly, contains no refined sugars and Medical Medium compliant.
How To Make Clean Eating Cranberry Sauce: Step-By-Step Instructions
Here's how to make this recipe and I'll show you with step-by-step instructions below.
Step 1: Process the Ingredients
Firstly, dice the apples into cube pieces, which will make them easier to process.
Add all ingredients for the cranberry sauce to a food processor and blend until it gets to the consistency you prefer.
For example, processor longer for a "smoother" texture and process shorter for a "chunky" texture.
Step 2: Taste and Adjust Seasonings
Secondly, take a taste of the cranberry sauce and adjust the seasonings and/or sweetener if you prefer.
If you'd like the cranberry sauce a little sweeter, add a couple of extra Medjool dates (pitted).
Step 3: How To Store the Cranberry Sauce
Lastly, store the cranberry sauce in an air-tight BPA-free container for a couple of days.
Expert Tips + Ingredient Substitutions for No-Cook Cranberry Sauce
Here are some expert tips to make this recipe perfectly:
Cranberries. I have used both frozen and fresh organic cranberries. Keep a couple of bags of frozen cranberries in your freezer so you can enjoy this as a healthy snack year-round!
Apples. Typically, I use green "granny" apples because I like their tart flavor, but I've also used red "gala" apples, so feel free to use your favorite variety.
Medjool Dates. This is what I used as a natural sweetener and to balance the tartness from the cranberries and apples. If you prefer to not use Medjool dates, you can try organic maple syrup, although it hasn't been tested.
Vanilla Bean Powder. This can be substituted with organic pure vanilla extract or alcohol-free vanilla extract to keep the recipe 100% Medical Medium compliant.
Want More Healthy Plant-Based Vegan Sauce Recipes?
Check out these:
- Smoked Paprika Habanero Sauce
- Chimichurri Sauce
- Creamy Mushroom Sauce
- or my CLEAN EATING Cookbook with 75+ plant-based vegan + gluten-free recipes made with clean, real food ingredients just like this one that you will love!
Gluten-Free Vegan No-Cook Raw Cranberry Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups organic cranberries
- 2 cups organic green apples (diced)
- 1 cup organic Medjool dates (pitted)
- 1/8 teaspoon organic ground vanilla bean powder
- 1/8 teaspoon organic ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch organic ground clove
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a food processor and process until it gets to your desired consistency.
- Taste and adjust spices and/or sweetener to your preference.
- Store in an air-tight BPA-free container in the refrigerator.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Information
Hi, I'm Karielyn! I'm the published cookbook author of CLEAN DESSERTS and content creator of The Healthy Family and Home™ website since 2012. I specialize in creating easy, healthy plant-based and Medical Medium® compliant recipes that are gluten-free + vegan and made with clean, real food ingredients that you can feel good about eating.
Usnea says
Another perfect recipe! Just made a half batch of this, and it's delicious. So easy and healthy. I can't believe cranberry sauce is made any other way. Thank you again!
Karielyn says
Hi there Usnea! I'm so excited to hear you enjoyed the recipe! I'm like you - when I see pictures of the store-bought canned cranberry sauce I just smh lol!
Thanks for trying out the recipe and for taking the time to let me know you liked it...I really appreciate it 🙂
Alex Caspero MA,RD (@delishknowledge) says
Yum! This looks amazing! I love the healthier cranberry sauce idea. I'm a huge fan of cranberry sauce, I put it on everything this time of year!
Karielyn says
Hi there Alex! Thanks and I do too! I appreciate you stopping by 😉
rachel says
love that this is made with dates! Awesome!
Karielyn says
Hi there Rachel! Thanks so much and I appreciate you stopping by 😉
Sarah Jane @ The Fit Cookie says
What a great recipe! I was going to make cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving this year, but my husband isn't a huge fan! Crazy, right?! I think I will still make some for my kiddos to enjoy 🙂
Karielyn says
Hi there Sarah Jane! I hope your little ones enjoy it! Thanks so much and I appreciate you stopping by 😉
jill conyers says
I've been thinking about making my own cranberry sauce this year and your recipe would be perfect! I recently read about canned cranberry sauce and was honestly surprised by what I learned. I guess I thought it was cleaner.
Karielyn says
Hi there Jill! I think you will be pleasantly surprised to see what a difference fresh, homemade cranberry sauce tastes compared to the canned...you will never go back! Thanks for stopping by 😉