From the Sugar Happy Kitchen: Healthy & Low-Carb Cranberry Sauce

Nadia Al-Samarrie

Cranberry sauce has become a beloved staple on holiday tables across America, especially paired with roasted turkey. But this tart, ruby-red fruit has a history that goes far beyond festive dinners. Cranberries are one of the few fruits native to North America and were a vital part of the Native American diet—used not only for nourishment but also as natural dye due to their vibrant color.

When European settlers arrived, they discovered the cranberry’s potential but had to tame its naturally tart flavor. After decades of trial and error, they finally cultivated sugar crops to sweeten and preserve the berries, leading to the first documented cranberry sauce recipe in 1796.

Fast forward to the 1930s, when Ocean Spray revolutionized cranberry farming by introducing wet harvesting techniques—submerging bogs to easily gather ripe berries. This innovation paved the way for large-scale production and made cranberries accessible to households nationwide.

Today, cranberry sauce remains a beloved tradition, and with this Diabetes Health low-carb recipe, you can enjoy the bright flavor and festive flair without spiking your blood sugar. We’ve swapped out traditional sugar for diabetes-friendly sweeteners and added natural citrus zest to elevate the flavor—perfect for a healthy holiday table.

Why Swerve Makes This Recipe Low-Carb and Diabetes-Friendly

Swerve is made from erythritol, a sugar alcohol found naturally in fruits and vegetables. Unlike regular sugar, it has:

• Zero calories and zero net carbs – making it ideal for low-carb and diabetic diets.

• No effect on blood sugar or insulin levels – erythritol is absorbed but not metabolized.

• The same sweetness level as sugar – making it the perfect replacement in recipes.

This allows you to enjoy traditional holiday favorites like cranberry sauce—without the blood sugar spike.

Ingredients:

12 ounces Fresh Cranberry

1 tablespoon of orange zest

3/4 cup of water

1/2 cup Swerve powdered sugar

Ingredients:

12 ounces Fresh Cranberry

1 tablespoon of orange zest

3/4 cup of water

1/2 cup Erythritol Sugar Substitute Swerve powder sugar

Instructions:

Heat water, sugar, and orange zest in a saucepan until the water is warm on medium heat.

Add one 12 ounce bag of fresh cranberries.

Put a lid on the pan and bring it to a boil.

Turn the stove off and let it sit for 5 minutes.

Mash the cranberries.

Pour into a bowl- allow to cool, then refrigerate.

Nutrition Facts:

Serving Size 12

2.2 Net Carbs per Serving

13 Calorie, Total Fat 0.0g, Saturated Fat 0.0 g, Cholesterol 0.0g, Sodium 0.0mg, Total Carbohydrates 3.5, Fiber 1.3 g, Total Sugar 1.2g, Protein 0g 

Disclaimer: This nutritional information is an estimate based on publicly available data. Actual values may vary depending on exact ingredients used and portion sizes. Always consult with a healthcare provider or nutritionist for personalized dietary advice.

The post From the Sugar Happy Kitchen: Healthy & Low-Carb Cranberry Sauce appeared first on Diabetes Health.