20-Minute Gluten-Free Cranberry Sauce (Dairy-Free, Vegan)

Make this homemade gluten-free cranberry sauce from scratch in just 20 minutes with only 4 ingredients! Rich and flavorful, cranberry sauce is a must-have side at your Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas table, and its vibrant color and tart and sweet taste makes it irresistible! Also dairy-free and vegan!

Jump to:

• What is Cranberry Sauce?
• I Love Everything Homemade
• Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe from Scratch
• Why This Recipe Works:
• Ingredients You’ll Need + Notes/Substitutions
• How to Make Gluten-Free Cranberry Sauce (Step by Step):
• Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:
• Recipe FAQs:
• Other Thanksgiving Recipes You’ll Enjoy:
• Holiday Recipes to Indulge In:
• Other Basic Recipes You’ll Love:
• 20-Minute Gluten-Free Cranberry Sauce (Dairy-Free, Vegan)

We’re officially in the last quarter of the year, and that means that Thanksgiving and the holiday season will be here before we know it!

This is my absolute favorite part of the year, and because it means gathering with family and friends, and being in great company as we enjoy delicious food.

If you celebrate Thanksgiving, then you’re probably already familiar with cranberry sauce (also known as cranberry jam), which is always present at the holiday dinner.

What is Cranberry Sauce?

For those of you don’t know what cranberry sauce is, it’s basically a sauce or a relish made from cranberries, and is often served as a condiment or a side dish at the Thanksgiving holiday meal in North America and at Christmas dinner in the United Kingdom and Canada.

While the main ingredients are mainly the same (including cranberries, sugar and water), it is usually more sour and tart in taste in Europe, while it’s generally sweeter in North America.

I Love Everything Homemade

I’m a big proponent of anything homemade, from homemade bread to nut milks to jams and marmalades. I just like the idea of making food from scratch, because it feels empowering (especially when the recipes are easy!)

Some of my favorite homemade recipes include:

• Soft, Fluffy Gluten-Free Bread (Dairy-Free)
• 5-Minute Homemade Almond Meal (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
• Cashew Milk (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
• Almond Milk (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
• Homemade Chocolate (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
• Homemade Plum Jam (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

Naturally, I also prefer making cranberry sauce from scratch, which is really way easier than it sounds!

Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe from Scratch

While you can easily buy the store-bought version of cranberry jam, it often comes with additives and preservatives that I’d rather not have. Plus, canned cranberry sauce is usually sweetened with high fructose corn syrup which is bad for health!

If you’re a cranberry sauce fan, I guarantee you that once you start making your own cranberry sauce, you’ll never go back to buying the canned stuff again – because it simply doesn’t get any fresher and delicious than this!

Make a bowl for your Thanksgiving or Christmas holiday table, and wait for your guests to pile on the praises.

Why This Recipe Works:

• Simple Ingredients: You only need 4 ingredients for this homemade gluten-free cranberry sauce recipe, and they are easily accessible at the local grocery store (nothing fancy required!).
• Easy to Make: Even if this is your first time making fresh cranberry sauce, don’t worry! This recipe comes together so easily and is ready in literally 20 minutes! It really doesn’t get any easier than this!
• Incredible Flavor: This delicious cranberry sauce is tart, bright and full of flavor.
• Totally Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free and Vegan: The good news is that this cranberry sauce is naturally 100% gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan, which means that even those with Celiac disease or gluten and lactose intolerances, or those simply on a gluten-free diet or vegan diet can enjoy it without worries!

Ingredients You’ll Need + Notes/Substitutions

• Sugar: I used white sugar in this recipe, but you can also use light brown sugar, dark brown sugar or coconut sugar if you prefer. If you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I highly recommend using Lakanto Monkfruit Sweetener (a 1:1 sugar substitute that has zero glycemic index and will not raise your blood sugar). Alternatively, you may also use maple syrup as your sweetener or choice if you prefer. Depending on how sweet you like your cranberry sauce, feel free to add more or less sugar accordingly.
• Water: I always try to use filtered water when cooking if possible.
• Lemon Juice: I like using fresh lemon juice, but you can also use fresh orange juice in equal quantities.
• Cranberries: I prefer using fresh tart cranberries when possible, but you can also use equal amounts of frozen cranberries if that’s what you have on hand. If you can’t find frozen or fresh berries, simply use 3/4 cup of unsweetened dried cranberries (soaked in water for at least 30 minutes) in place of the fresh cranberries specified.

How to Make Gluten-Free Cranberry Sauce (Step by Step):

1. Mix and Dissolve

In a large pot, place sugar and water and bring mixture to a boil until sugar is totally dissolved.

2. Simmer

When the mixture starts boiling, add cranberries and lemon juice and return to a boil. Next, bring the heat down to medium-low and let the sauce simmer for around 15 to 20 minutes until it has achieved a thick jam-like consistency.

3. Transfer to Jar

Let the sauce cool down to room temperature before transferring it to a sterilized glass jar.

Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:

• Halve the Fresh Cranberries: I find that cutting the fresh cranberries in halves before cooking helps them to release their juices better.
• Lemon Juice: I like how the tartness of the fresh lemon juice brightens up and makes this gluten-free cranberry sauce lighter and more vibrant. If you prefer a sweeter and less tart version, simply leave out the lemon juice.
• Garnish with Zest: To make the sauce look fancier, you can also garnish it with freshly orange zest or lemon zest.

Recipe FAQs:

Other Thanksgiving Recipes You’ll Enjoy:

• Gluten-free Cranberry Bread Pudding
• Cranberry and Walnut Tart (Gluten-Free)
• Easy Rosemary Cornbread (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Jalapeño Cornbread (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Gluten-Free Skillet Cornbread
• Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Lemon and Parmesan (Gluten-Free)
• Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
• Roasted Rainbow Carrots with Rosemary and Parsley (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
• Roasted Delicata Squash Salad (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

Holiday Recipes to Indulge In:

Other Basic Recipes You’ll Love:

P.S. If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating below, and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to check out my entire Recipe Index for all the recipes on the blog. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Sign up for my Email List to get fresh recipes in your inbox each week!

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