Vegan Cranberry Sauce
This 2-ingredient vegan cranberry sauce makes a festive and vibrant addition to any meal! It comes together in just 15 minutes on the stovetop and can even be made ahead of time. Whether you’re planning a holiday feast or just want to add a special touch to your daily meals, this recipe is sure to impress.
โค๏ธ Why youโll love this recipe
- Quick & easy: With a total time of only 15 minutes, 2 ingredients (plus water), and 1 pot, you can make this vegan cranberry sauce with your eyes closed!
- Better than store-bought: Made with fresh, natural ingredients, it offers a healthier and much more flavorful alternative to store-bought versions.
- Customizable: We provide tons of ideas for optional add-ins so you can make your vegan cranberry sauce suit your taste preferences.
- Versatile: Who says cranberry sauce is just for holiday feasts like Thanksgiving and Christmas? It makes a great addition to everyday meals too.
If you love vegan cranberry sauce, be sure to check out our strawberry compote, chamoy sauce, abodo sauce, and blueberry compote.
๐ 2-ingredient vegan cranberry sauce
We know how stressful it can be to put together a Thanksgiving or Christmas menu when youโre hosting friends and family. Thatโs why weโve created this 2-ingredient vegan cranberry sauce that can be whipped together in 15 minutes or less!
Thereโs no need to buy store-bought sauce filled with artificial flavors and preservatives when you have this recipe in your back pocket. All you need is cranberries, brown sugar, and water to create a perfectly tart and sweet dish that elevates any holiday table.
It has a thick, jammy consistency and is bursting with chunks of fresh cranberries. Plus, itโs incredibly easy to customize! Pair it with your favorite holiday dishes, incorporate it into desserts, or add it to breakfast recipes like oatmeal.
๐ Ingredients & substitutions
- Cranberries: The star of the show, providing a tart and vibrant flavor. We use fresh cranberries, but you can just as easily use frozen ones.
- Brown sugar: We love to use brown sugar to sweeten the cranberries and add a layer of molasses flavor. Cane sugar or maple syrup are good alternatives.
- Water: Water provides a simple base, but if you feel like shaking things up, try adding orange juice for a citrusy twist.
For a complete ingredient list and step-by-step guide, scroll down to our recipe card.
๐ How to make vegan cranberry sauce
Step 1: Prepare the base
Make sure the cranberries are rinsed and free from any stems or damaged berries. Dissolve the sugar in water or orange juice in a saucepan, creating a sweet base for the cranberries.
Step 2: Cook the sauce
Add the cranberries and cook them until they start to burst and release their natural pectin, thickening the sauce. At this point, you can incorporate any additional spices or mix-ins for a customized taste (find some of our favorite ideas below).
Step 3: Cool & serve
Remove the sauce from the heat and let it cool. As it cools, it will thicken to the perfect consistency! You can serve it at room temperature or let it chill. Happy eating!
If you have questions about this vegan cranberry sauce recipe, check out our FAQs or leave a comment down below!
๐ฅ What to serve vegan cranberry sauce with
For the ultimate plant-based holiday feast, serve your vegan cranberry sauce with mains and other sides like these:
- Vegan roasts and loaves: Try vegan meatloaf, cauliflower steaks, vegan stuffed portobello mushrooms, or vegan stuffed acorn squash.
- Potato dishes: Think vegan mashed potatoes, vegan mashed sweet potatoes, red skin mashed potatoes, stewed potatoes, or vegan scalloped potatoes.
- Roasted vegetables: We love air fryer butternut squash, maple glazed carrots, balsamic glaze Brussels sprouts, air fryer Brussels sprouts, or air fryer green beans.
- Bread: Use vegan cornbread, dairy-free bread, sourdough bread, or vegan biscuits to soak up every last drop!
- Grain bowls: It adds the perfect contrast to a harvest bowl!
Donโt just limit vegan cranberry sauce to savory meals either! It makes a sweet-tart addition to vegan oatmeal, vegan pumpkin pancakes, coconut yogurt, and more.
๐ก๏ธ Storage & reheating
If you end up with leftover vegan cranberry sauce, hereโs what to do:
- Fridge: Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 10 days.
- Freezer: Vegan cranberry sauce can be frozen for up to 2 months if needed. Once cooled, transfer it to a freezer-safe container or jar.
- Reheating: Thaw the sauce in the fridge overnight if itโs frozen. Cranberry sauce is generally served chilled or at room temperature, but if you prefer it warm, you can reheat it in a saucepan over low-medium.
- Make ahead: Cranberry sauce is meant to be enjoyed chilled, so you can make this vegan cranberry sauce up to a few days in advance and store it in the fridge until youโre ready to eat.
โป๏ธ Flavor variations
- Spices: Add a cinnamon stick or a few whole cloves during simmering.
- Fresh fruits: Mix in berries like blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries. Or, add diced apples for a fruity variation.
- Dried fruits: Try raisins, currants, dried cherries, or even dried cranberries to add natural sweetness and texture.
- Citrus: Incorporate orange, lemon, or lime zest for added brightness.
- Ginger: Grate in some fresh ginger for a spicy kick.
- Vanilla: Stir in a teaspoon of vanilla extract after cooking.
- Chopped nuts: Add chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds for more texture.
- Spicy: Include a pinch of chile flakes for a spicy version.
- Herbs: Infuse your vegan cranberry sauce with fresh sprigs of rosemary or thyme for an aromatic touch.
๐งโ๐ณ Top tips
- Use the right cranberries: While you can make cranberry sauce from dried cranberries, this recipe is meant to be prepared with fresh or frozen berries.
- Watch the pot: Prevent the cranberry mixture from boiling over by maintaining a low heat and keeping an eye on the pot.
- Stir gently: Avoid mashing the cranberries too much. You want some texture!
- Add citrus last: To prevent the sauce from turning bitter, add citrus zest after youโve removed the pot from the heat if youโre using it.
- Let it cool: Vegan cranberry sauce thickens as it cools, so give it some time after removing the pot from the heat.
- Serve at the right temperature: Cranberry sauce is best served chilled or at room temperature.
๐ฌ FAQ
Vegan cranberry sauce is ready when most of the cranberries have burst and the mixture has thickened.
To make your vegan cranberry sauce thicker, you can cook it a bit longer or mash some of the cranberries to release more pectin. If itโs still not thick enough, make a cornstarch slurry and incorporate it into the sauce as it simmers.ย
Yes, you can use vegan cranberry sauce as a filling for pastries, serve it on top of cakes, or swirl it into vegan cheesecake.
Typically, cranberry sauce is a vegan-friendly side dish. However, just remember that some sugar (white or brown) is processed with bone char to make it white. If possible, use organic or vegan-certified sugar.
๐ด More sauce recipes
If you enjoyed this vegan cranberry sauce, check out some more of our most popular sauces like these:
- Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce: An ultra-creamy, hearty, and comforting sauce.
- Vegan Alfredo Sauce: A dairy-free spin on the original recipe.
- Vegan Gravy: A 15-minute sauce thatโs rich, complex, and savory.
- Mole Poblano: One of the most popular recipes in Mexico, made from scratch!
2-Ingredient Vegan Cranberry Sauce
Equipment
- Measuring cups
- Saucepan
Ingredients
- 12 ounces cranberries (fresh or frozen)
- ยพ cup brown sugar (or cane sugar)
- 1 cup water (or orange juice)
Optional add-ins
- Chopped pecans
- Orange zest
- Raisins or currants
- Blueberries
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Allspice
Instructions
- Rinse and drain the cranberries in a colander. Pick through the cranberries and discard any damaged ones or stems.
- Add the sugar and water to a medium saucepan. Bring it to a boil over high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- Add the cranberries and bring the mixture to a boil again. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes until most of the cranberries burst.
- At this point, you can incorporate seasonings like chopped pecans, orange zest, raisins, currants, blueberries, cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice if youโd like.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the cranberry sauce cool to room temperature before transferring it to the fridge. It will continue to thicken as it cools. Happy eating!
Video
Notes
- Use the right cranberries: While you can make cranberry sauce from dried cranberries, this recipe is meant to be prepared with fresh or frozen berries.ย
- Watch the pot: Prevent the cranberry mixture from boiling over by maintaining a low heat and keeping an eye on the pot.
- Stir gently: Avoid mashing the cranberries too much. You want some texture!
- Add citrus last: To prevent the sauce from turning bitter, add citrus zest after youโve removed the pot from the heat if youโre using it.
- Let it cool: Vegan cranberry sauce thickens as it cools, so give it some time after removing the pot from the heat.
- Serve at the right temperature: Cranberry sauce is best served chilled or at room temperature.
- Nutritional information is a rough estimate and should not be taken as health advice.
Nutrition
Mitch Chapman is a food writer, photographer, and one of the founders of Broke Bank Vegan. With a background in healthcare and the restaurant industry, he has a passion for sharing healthy yet flavorful plant-based food.
Use Clover Honey instead of sugar.Taste better.
Hi Bob,
Clover honey actually isn’t vegan-friendly, but that’s a good idea if you have it on hand! You could also try agave or maple syrup as a vegan option. Hope that helps! ๐