Instant pot cranberry sauce is super easy to make. In just 2 mins after the pressure cooker comes to pressure, you’ll have a delightful sauce to serve with your thanksgiving turkey, ham or any holiday side dish.
Instant pot pressure cooker cranberry sauce recipe
The holidays are fast approaching, which means it's time to start planning your holiday meals. If you're looking for an easy way to make cranberry sauce, using an Instant Pot is the way to go.
Cranberry sauce made in an Instant Pot has a delicious concentrated flavor and cuts down significantly on cook time compared to stovetop methods.
Since we’re talking holiday food, you should try this pomegranate lemonade and our 4th of July Oreos.
Why this recipe works
- It's incredibly fast the sauce takes only about 3 minutes to cook after it the pressure cooker comes to pressure thanks to the Instant Pot's pressure cooking function. No more waiting around stirring sauce on the stovetop for over 30 minutes.
- The sauce has a bright, pronounced cranberry flavor. The sealed environment of the Instant Pot helps the berries release their juice and concentrates the flavor.
- Clean up is a breeze since you aren't dealing with a sticky saucepan situation. The Instant Pot inner pot cleans up nicely after use.
- Easy Hands free method: Simply lock the lid, set the timer and let the Instant Pot do its thing while you focus on other dishes.
Ingredients
- Fresh cranberries
- Sugar: You substitute with honey or maple syrup. If you are looking to make sugar free cranberry sauce, you can use sugar alternatives like monk fruit or Allulose.
- Orange juice: You can either use store bought or freshly squeezed orange juice.
- Orange zest
- Cinnamon (optional)
Tools for this recipe
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Instant pot
How to make it
This is an overview of the recipe with step by step photos. Scroll down to end of post for a printable recipe card with the amount of ingredients and full recipe instructions.
Add cleaned cranberries to the Instant Pot along with granulated sugar, orange juice, cinnamon and orange zest. Stir to combine.
Lock the lid and seal the pressure valve on the Instant Pot. Select the Manual/Pressure Cook setting and adjust to high pressure for 2 minutes.
When cooking is complete, use a natural pressure release by allowing the pot to sit undisturbed for 10-15 minutes. After this time, carefully turn the valve to release any remaining steam.
Remove the lid and stir the cranberry sauce, breaking up any cranberries that are still whole.
Let the sauce cool slightly, then transfer it to an airtight container. Refrigerate until ready to serve. The sauce will thicken up as it cools. Enjoy!
How to serve cranberry sauce
Cranberry sauce is the perfect accompaniment to hearty holiday meals. Here are some delicious options to serve it with:
Turkey: Cranberry sauce is a classic pairing with roasted and fried turkey. The bright acidity helps cut through the rich flavors.
Ham: The tart sweetness pairs well with salty cured ham and other pork dishes
Brie cheese: Spread cranberry sauce on brie for an easy appetizer.
Yogurt parfaits: Add a dollop of cranberry sauce in yogurt parfaits along with granola for a breakfast treat.
Oatmeal: Stir a spoonful of cranberry sauce into your morning oatmeal for extra fruit flavor.
Pancakes: Use as a topping for pancakes such as these mini pancakes.
Storage instructions
One of the bonuses of Instant Pot cranberry sauce is that it keeps well in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Here are some tips for storing and reheating:
Allow the sauce to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. Store in the fridge.
Freeze extra sauce in freezer bags or containers for up to 3 months.
FAQs
Just 2 minutes once the pot reaches pressure! Then allow 10 minutes for natural pressure release. Give and take, it takes about 20 mins from start to finish.
Yes, but don't fill the inner pot more than ½ way full. No need to adjust the cook time it stays the same.
You can dial back on the sugar if you want the sauce more tart. Add more sugar to taste if you want it sweeter.
High pressure for 2 minutes, followed by 10 minute natural release is ideal.
Helpful Tips
- Rinse the fresh cranberries and discard any damaged ones.
- While bottled orange juice works, Use fresh orange juice for the best flavor.
- Homemade sauce will be looser than jellied sauce. Chill it to thicken.
- Taste the sauce after cooking and adjust the sugar as needed by 1 teaspoon at a time.
- After the 10 mins natural do the pressure release in bursts so as not to get the sauce spew out with the steam.
More recipes to try
- Air fryer Turkey breast
- Mayo Ketchup
- Pink sauce pasta
- Check out all our Home Cooked Recipes
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Instant pot cranberry sauce
Ingredients
- 12 oz cranberries
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup orange juice
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon optional
- Zest of one orange optional
Instructions
- Rinse 1 bag (12 oz) of fresh cranberries and pick through them, discarding any damaged berries.
- Add the cranberries to the Instant Pot along with 1 cup of granulated sugar, ½ cup orange juice, ground cinnamon if using and orange zest.
- Stir to combine the ingredients.
- Lock the lid and seal the pressure valve on the Instant Pot. Select the Manual/Pressure Cook setting and adjust to high pressure for 2 minutes.
- When cooking is complete, use a natural pressure release by allowing the pot to sit undisturbed for 10-15 minutes. After this time, carefully turn the valve to release any remaining steam.
- Remove the lid and stir the cranberry sauce, breaking up any cranberries that are still whole.
- Let the sauce cool slightly, then transfer it to an airtight container. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- The sauce will thicken up as it cools. Enjoy!
Notes
- Rinse the fresh cranberries and discard any damaged ones.
- While bottled orange juice works, Use fresh orange juice for the best flavor.
- Natural sauce will be looser than jellied sauce. Chill it to thicken.
- Taste the sauce after cooking and adjust the sugar as needed 1 teaspoon at a time
Wendy Klik says
Great idea using the instant pot. Can't wait to try this recipe.