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    Make It Skinny Please » Recipes » Sauces & Dressings » Cranberry Pear Sauce with ginger

    Published: Nov 7, 2022 by Toni Dash · 8 Comments

    Cranberry Pear Sauce with ginger

    Weight Watchers Points2
    Calories: 58kcal
    Carbs: 15g
    Protein: 0.4g
    Fats: 0.1g
    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    cranberry pear sauce in a silver serving bowl with spoon.

    Move over regular cranberry sauce! This homemade Cranberry Pear Sauce is delicious, easy to make and lower in calories! You don't have to forego one of your favorite Thanksgiving sides to watch calories anymore!

    cranberry pear sauce in a silver serving bowl with spoon.

    Sweet pears and tart cranberries are a perfect pair in this easy cranberry pear sauce recipe. It's a delicious balance of sweet and tart flavors perfect for Thanksgiving dinner.

    There is a much lower amount of white sugar too thanks to the natural sweetness in the ripe pear and fresh orange juice. It tames the tartness of the cranberries without overwhelming with sweetness.

    This low calorie best cranberry sauce recipe is perfect on both the Thanksgiving table and Christmas table. The Thanksgiving menu isn't complete without it!

    Try our Cranberry Pineapple Sauce too!

    Jump to:
    • What make it skinny?
    • Recipe Ingredient Notes
    • How to make Cranberry Pear Sauce
    • Variations
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • How to Store
    • More recipes you'll love!
    • Recipe

    What make it skinny?

    Regular homemade cranberry sauce usually contains about 1 cup of sugar for a bag of cranberries. That's what makes it super sweet and helps it gel. But that also makes it a higher calorie side dish.

    Using fresh ripe pears and orange juice along with just 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar gives plenty of sweetness and more flavor without going overboard on the sweetness.

    Many people complain cranberry sauce is just too sweet; this is the solution for that too!

    CALORIE COMPARISON: Canned cranberry sauce is 105 calories for a ¼ cup. This Cranberry Pear Sauce is 58 calories for ¼ cup.

    Recipe Ingredient Notes

    Printable recipe card at the end of the post.

    cranberry pear sauce labeled ingredients

    Cranberries. Use a 12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries: rinsed and sorted to discard any damaged or rotting cranberries. Frozen thawed cranberries can also be used.

    Pear. One medium size fully ripe pear, peeled, cored and cut into chunks. Use a Bartlett pear. They are very juicy and sweet when ripe. When they cook they won't completely disintegrate leaving small soft pieces of pear in the sauce. Bosc pears work though tend to be more firm and not as juicy when ripe.

    Orange juice. This replaced water in the recipe. Use fresh orange juice if possible for best flavor. You'll need ½ cup if making the cranberry sauce in the slow cooker and ⅔ cup if making on the stove top. This adds more flavor and sweetness and replaces water in cooking the cranberries.

    Granulated sugar. Only 3 tablespoons are used. This cuts the tartness from the cranberries and adds just the right amount of sweetness.

    Fresh ginger. This enhances the flavor of the cranberry pear sauce without making it overly gingery. We use 1 teaspoon peeled and minced. It could also be grated. Feel free to add more for a stronger ginger flavor.

    Lime zest or orange zest. The homemade cranberry sauce is delicious without this but adding some zest perks up the flavor even more. Lime zest will give it a bright, fresh flavor note while orange zest enhances the orange flavor from the orange juice. Use the zest of half a lime or a quarter of an orange.

    pear cranberry sauce on silver tray.

    How to make Cranberry Pear Sauce

    We have two methods for making this sauce: slow cooker or stove top. The stove top is very fast, about 15 minutes. We included a slow cooker option in case you'd prefer to keep it off the stove top during busy Thanksgiving cooking. Both work well AND cranberry sauce is best if chilled before serving as this makes it thicken.

    Slow Cooker method

    Add all the ingredients to the slow cooker (photo 1). Stir to combine (photo 2).

    Add lid and cook on HIGH for 3 hours. Check at 3 hours, stir. The cranberries will have partially popped and the sauce begun to thicken.

    slow cooker cranberry sauce recipe steps.

    You can stop and chill the sauce now, continue to cook it to desired consistency or use an immersion blender to break down the berries further.

    Stove top

    Add all the ingredients to a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir to combine and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer or low boil and cook for 10-15 minutes until the cranberries pop.

    Chill to thicken.

    cranberrry pear sauce in silver bowl.

    Variations

    Add some spices. The natural flavor and sweetness of this cranberry sauce is delicious but you can change it up by adding some cinnamon, allspice, or cardamom start with ⅛ teaspoon, taste and adjust up if needed). You could also add pumpkin pie spice. OR add a cinnamon stick when simmering for natural cinnamon flavor. Remove before chilling.

    Add a splash of port wine. This gives a sophisticated flavor.

    Reduce the sugar by 1 tablespoon. If you want to take out a few more calories you can just use 2 tablespoons of sugar (this removes 48 calories).

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I use a sugar substitute?

    We have not tested the recipe with sugar substitutes but you should be able to swap that in.

    Can this homemade cranberry sauce be frozen?

    Yes! Allow it to fully cool. I would put it in the refrigerator overnight before packing it to be frozen. Then add it to a freezer-safe airtight container or bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Allow to thaw in the refrigerator before using.

    Should cranberry sauce be served chilled or at room temperature?

    It can be served either way but will have more flavor if at room temperature. After cooking allow it to cool to room temperature or chill first so the sauce will fully thicken.

    pears and cranberries in box.

    How to Store

    Store leftover cranberry sauce in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to 10-14 days.

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    Recipe

    pear cranberry sauce on silver tray crop.

    Cranberry Pear Sauce

    Weight Watchers Points2
    Click to track Weight Watchers Points
    Cranberry Pear Sauce is full of natural sweetness from sweet ripe pear and orange juice with just a little bit of sugar. It's a low calorie cranberry sauce recipe everyone loves.
    5 from 57 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Sauce, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Low Calorie, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 12 minutes
    Chilling time (suggested): 1 hour
    Total Time: 1 hour 17 minutes
    Servings: 8 ¼-cup servings (total yield: 2 cups)
    Calories: 58kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 1 12-ouncce bag fresh cranberries rinsed and sorted to remove any blemished berries. Frozen and thawed cranberries can be used too.
    • ½ cup fresh orange juice for the slow cooker method; increase to ⅔ cup for stove top method
    • 1 medium ripe Bartlett pear peeled, cored and chopped
    • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
    • 1 teaspoon peeled, minced fresh ginger
    • lime zest or orange zest OPTIONAL: use zest of half a lime OR zest from one quarter of an orange

    Instructions

    Slow Cooker method (3 hours)

    • Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker. Cook on High for 3 hours. Cranberries will be partially popped and the sauce will have begun to thicken. Stir.
    • The sauce can be done at this point, cooked longer to breakdown more or use an immersion blender to pulverize into a smoother sauce.

    Stove top method (15 minutes)

    • Combine all ingredients in medium saucepan over medium high heat. Stir to dissolve the sugar and bring to a boil. Boil, stirring periodically, until all the cranberries burst (about 5 minutes).Remove from heat and allow to fully cool. Note: the sauce will thicken as it cools.

    Both methods

    • Remove from heat and allow to fully cool. It can be cooled to room temperature or chilled in the refrigerator for faster results.
      Note: the sauce will thicken as it cools.

    Notes

    Variations
    Add some spices. The natural flavor and sweetness of this cranberry sauce is delicious but you can change it up by:
    • adding some cinnamon, allspice, or cardamom start with ⅛ teaspoon, taste and adjust up if needed).
    • You could also add pumpkin pie spice.
    • OR add a cinnamon stick when simmering for natural cinnamon flavor. Remove before chilling.
    Add a splash of port wine. This gives a sophisticated flavor.
    Reduce the sugar by 1 tablespoon. If you want to take out a few more calories you can just use 2 tablespoons of sugar (this removes 48 calories).
    How to Store
    Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10-14 days.
    How to Freeze
    Allow it to fully cool. I would put it in the refrigerator overnight before freezing to chill it completely. Then add it to a freezer-safe airtight container or bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Allow to thaw in the refrigerator before using.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 58kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 88mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 63IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 0.2mg
    Tried this recipe? Please share it!Mention @MakeItSkinnyPlease or tag #MakeItSkinnyPlease!
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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutritional Coach and certified Weight Loss Specialist, writer/blogger, photographer, chief recipe developer and creator of Make It Skinny Please. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her slimmed down recipes using real food ingredients bring excitement to the dining table and never taste like 'diet food'. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Kim says

      November 10, 2022 at 12:19 pm

      5 stars
      This is such a great recipe. I made mine in the slow cooker and it turned out amazing. Took your suggestion to add wine and it was a huge success.

      Reply
    2. Paula K says

      November 07, 2022 at 10:15 am

      5 stars
      Love, love, love the addition of pear!! So fresh and delicious!

      Reply
    3. Terri says

      November 07, 2022 at 9:01 am

      5 stars
      What a great twist on cranberry sauce. Love the addition of the pear.

      Reply
    4. Tara says

      November 07, 2022 at 8:14 am

      5 stars
      This cranberry sauce is so good with the addition of the pear and ginger. I love how you included two cooking methods.

      Reply
    5. Dana says

      November 07, 2022 at 8:51 am

      5 stars
      The ginger totally changes the game here! Love it. Such a nice zing to go with that sweetness.

      Reply
    6. Gina Abernathy says

      November 07, 2022 at 7:54 am

      5 stars
      I love homemade cranberry sauce. This is a super easy recipe and the reduction of sugar is nice--you never miss it. Will make again and serve during the holidays.

      Reply
    7. Jen Vinuya says

      November 07, 2022 at 7:53 am

      5 stars
      This skinny version is really amazing! Thank you for sharing the recipe!

      Reply
    8. Pat Merrell says

      November 07, 2022 at 6:34 am

      5 stars
      You, are the best. Your recipes do what i need - get the calories and carbs as low as you can while pretty much still eating decent whole foods... i use several sites/emails and yours is definitely the best on several levels... i can get right to the recipe, print it.. everything is clear. And you have such great timely recipes every time... you work hard on this, please keep on keeping on!

      Reply

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    Welcome! I’m Toni. I'm a Certified Nutrition Coach and NASM certified Weight Loss Specialist. I'm excited to share Classic Recipes made more calorie friendly using real food!

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