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Cranberry Sauce with Chia Seed and Pecans

This diabetes-friendly Cranberry Chia Sauce is a vegan, gluten-free, and high-fibre twist on the holiday classic — made with real fruit, citrus, and naturally sweetened with maple syrup or your sweetener of choice. A quick, wholesome side dish perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or everyday meals.
Servings: 8
Calories: 62.2kcal
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time12 minutes
Total Time17 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cranberries fresh or frozen
  • ¼ cup water
  • ¼ cup orange juice
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup or sweetener of choice
  • 1 tsp orange zest
  • ¼ tsp cinnamon
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp chia seeds
  • 2 tbsp pecans chopped

Equipment

  • Small saucepan
  • Zester or microplane

Instructions

  • Add cranberries, water, orange juice, maple syrup (or sweetener), orange zest, cinnamon, and salt to a small pot.
    2 cups cranberries, ¼ cup water, ¼ cup orange juice, 2 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tsp orange zest, ¼ tsp cinnamon, 1 pinch salt
  • Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat and simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cranberries burst and the mixture thickens.
  • Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
    1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Stir in chia seeds while the mixture is still warm — they’ll thicken the sauce within 5–10 minutes.
    2 tbsp chia seeds
  • Fold in chopped pecans. Let cool completely, then refrigerate for up to 7 days.
    2 tbsp pecans

Cooking Tips

  • Adjust Sweetness Naturally: Taste during cooking and adjust sweetener as needed — try stevia, erythritol, or date syrup for diabetes-friendly alternatives.
  • Consistency Check: Sauce will thicken more as it cools; don’t overcook expecting final thickness.
  • Use Fresh or Frozen: Frozen cranberries work just as well as fresh, making this an easy year-round recipe.
  • Make It Nut-Free: Simply omit pecans or replace them with pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds.
  • Boost the Citrus: For extra zest, add a squeeze of lemon juice or additional orange zest for brightness.
  • Use as a Multi-Purpose Spread: Great on oatmeal, toast, yogurt, or even as a topping for grilled meats or roasted veggies.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Cranberry Sauce with Chia Seed and Pecans
Serving Size
 
2 tbsp
Amount per Serving
Calories
62.2
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
2.8
g
4
%
Saturated Fat
 
0.3
g
2
%
Trans Fat
 
0.004
g
Sodium
 
6.8
mg
0
%
Potassium
 
70.8
mg
2
%
Carbohydrates
 
9
g
3
%
Fiber
 
2.2
g
9
%
Sugar
 
4.9
g
5
%
Protein
 
0.9
g
2
%
Vitamin C
 
7.8
mg
9
%
Calcium
 
30.3
mg
3
%
Iron
 
0.4
mg
2
%
Magnesium
 
16.7
mg
4
%
Zinc
 
0.3
mg
2
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.