Paraben Free Maple Cranberry Sauce with Orange & Ginger
Tart cranberries, bright citrus, warming ginger, and a touch of Ceylon cinnamon come together in a sauce that tastes far more complex than the short ingredient list suggests. The natural sweetness here comes entirely from pure maple syrup and honey — no refined sugars, no synthetic additives, and none of the preservatives that sneak into so many store-bought condiments. That matters more than people realize, since jarred cranberry sauces are a surprisingly common source of hidden chemical additives that those avoiding parabens and synthetic preservatives need to watch out for. Making it from scratch with whole, recognizable ingredients means you know exactly what's going into the pot. Fresh orange juice and zest give it a sunny lift, while the grated ginger adds just enough warmth to keep things interesting without overwhelming the fruit. The sauce loosens up as it cooks but firms beautifully as it cools, landing at that perfect spoonable consistency that clings to everything it touches. Whether it's anchoring a holiday table or brightening up a weeknight plate, this is the kind of simple, clean recipe you'll want to keep on repeat.
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Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
- 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries
- ½ cup fresh orange juice (from about 2 oranges)
- ¼ cup water
- 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- ½ tsp ground ceylon cinnamon
- 1 tsp orange zest
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
Instructions
- 1
Combine the cranberries, orange juice, and water in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries begin to burst and release their liquid, about 5 minutes.
- 2
Stir in the maple syrup, honey, ginger, Ceylon cinnamon, and sea salt. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and most of the cranberries have broken down, about 8–10 minutes. Watch the heat — the sugars can scorch quickly once the liquid reduces; lower the flame if the sauce begins to spit or stick.
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