Using only 3 ingredients, Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce is tart, sweet, and a must have dish at every Thanksgiving dinner! Make this cranberry sauce the day before so it cools and the flavors meld, and on Thanksgiving day you'll have the most delicious cranberry sauce, the canned stuff doesn't even compare!
The Instant Pot has become a favorite of mine to make sauces and jams. Over the Summer I tried making jams and they turned out perfectly! Now that it's cranberry season, why not make the jam that everyone is talking about and everyone needs come November, cranberry sauce!
Here are some other jam and sauce recipes that are made completely in the Instant Pot!
If you're looking for more cranberry recipes, don't forget to check out these cranberry orange sourdough muffins. Buy a big bag of fresh cranberries and use half in the sauce and half in the muffins for breakfast the next day!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Homemade tastes better than bought! In my option at least! Being able to make something from fresh ingredients instead of relying on a product that has been sitting in a can for a long time is much preferred.
- The Instant Pot does all the hard work! Stove space is at a premium on Thanksgiving and the days leading up to the holiday. Don't worry about trying to squeeze in another pot to make cranberry sauce, do it in the Instant Pot!
- It's a make ahead dream! This sauce can be made a day or two ahead of time and kept in an air tight container in the refrigerator. When you need it, scoop it into a serving dish and serve with your holiday menu.
- It's not just for Thanksgiving! Cranberry sauce is a staple on most holiday menus, but you can use this to slather on scones, or an English muffin for breakfast throughout the winter!
Tell Me About Cranberries
Living in New England, cranberries are very much a thing come October and November. The cranberry bogs down by Cape Cod are getting ready to harvest those cranberries once October hits.
It is said that the Native Americans first introduced the settlers to cranberries as far back as the 1500s. Cranberries grow in low bushes and when it is time to harvest them, the fields that they grow in are flooded. The cranberries float to the top of the water and are harvested. Pretty cool!
What's In This Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce?
- Cranberries- a 12 ounce bag is all you need. That would equal 1 ½ cups of fresh or frozen cranberries.
- Sugar- Maple syrup or honey can be used instead. It might seem like a lot of sugar, but cranberries are very tart. In order to offset that tartness, we need a lot of sugar.
- Orange juice- To sweeten but also provide the liquid needed to cook the cranberries.
Let's Make Cranberry Sauce!
This recipe could not be more simple!
Place all the ingredients in the Instant Pot. Do not stir as this could trigger the "Burn" warning on your Instant Pot.
Seal the Instant Pot and cook on high for 8 minutes. After 8 minutes, let the Instant Pot naturally release for 5 minutes. Once some of the pressure is released, manually release the rest of the pressure. Be careful when you do this as steam and liquid may come out the top of the Instant Pot.
Serve the cranberry sauce warm or cold and enjoy!
Fresh or Frozen Cranberries?
In October and November, you can find fresh cranberries in all the major grocery stores. If you can't find fresh cranberries, frozen cranberries are a great alternative. The cooking times would be the same and the other ingredients would remain the same as well.
Stovetop Instructions
If you don't have an Instant Pot, you can still make this recipe!
Place all the ingredients in a saucepan and turn the stove on medium heat. Cook the cranberries for 20 minutes. Make sure you stay close to the stove, because all the sugar and cranberries can easily burn if the mixture is left on the direct heat for too long without being stirred.
Tips and Tricks
- When you open the Instant Pot, it might seem that there is too much liquid. As the cranberry sauce cools, the sauce will thicken.
- If you would like a smoother sauce, once you open the Instant Pot, use an immersion blender and blend the berries. This will give you more of a jam consistency instead of a sauce with whole berries in it.
- Once the cooking process is complete, taste the cranberry sauce. If it is too tart for your liking, add 1 tablespoon of sugar at a time until you have reached the desired sweetness.
- Optional add ins would be a stick of cinnamon, a teaspoon of vanilla, or a tablespoon of your favorite bourbon!
Frequently Asked Questions
This cranberry sauce will last a week in the refrigerator in an air tight container.
Yes! Cranberry sauce is just as good when defrosted from frozen. To freeze, allow the cranberry sauce to cool completely and then place it in an airtight container or a Ziploc bag. Freeze for 3-4 months. To defrost, simply place the cranberry sauce in the refrigerator and allow it to defrost slowly.
Yes! You can easily double or even triple this recipe. Just make sure you Instant Pot is big enough. You do not want to overfill the Instant Pot as it will not cook properly. If you have a smaller Instant Pot, just make this recipe in batches.
Other Recipes You'll Love
Did you love this Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce a try? I'd so appreciate it if you would give this recipe a 5 star review! That will help other hungry readers find my recipes!
And don't forget to tag me on Instagram or Facebook and share this recipe on Pinterest! Thanks for sharing this journey with me and enjoy these delicious recipes!
- Halloween Pasta Salad
- Spooky Halloween Tortilla Chips
- Cozy Instant Pot Ham and Potato Soup
- Instant Pot Marinara Sauce
- Sweet and Salty Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
- Homemade Chunky Applesauce
- Halloween Funfetti Cheesecake Bars
- All in One Apple Cake
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📖 Recipe
Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 ounce Cranberries About 1.5 cups
- 1 cup Sugar
- ½ cup Fresh squeezed Orange juice
- Zest of 1 orange
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients into the Instant Pot. Do not stir, as stirring could trigger the burn warning on your Instant Pot.
- Seal the Instant Pot and set the pressure to "HIGH" for 8 minutes.
- Allow the Instant Pot to naturally release for 5 minutes and then release the rest of the pressure. Open the Instant Pot and stir the ingredients together.
- Taste the cranberry sauce and if it's a little too tart, add 1 tablespoon of sugar more until it reaches your desired sweetness. Serve warm or cold!
Notes
- The cranberry sauce will thicken as it cools. When you open the Instant Pot it might be too watery, but it will thicken.
- Optional add ins would be cinnamon, or a little shot of bourbon!
- Fresh or frozen cranberries work perfectly in this recipe.
Cindy
Absolutely delicious!
Anne
So simple yet so tasty!
Linda
Current favorite sauce. Plus, it can be done in an Instant Pot!
Mandy Applegate
Easy and tasty - what more could you want?
Jennifer
Cranberry sauce in my IP! Right on! One less pot on the stove this holiday!
Aimee
So perfect for fall!
Sachi
Fresh cranberry sauce is so worth it and now easy to make in an Instapot!
Kathy Hester
So delicious and it doesn't take up valuable stove space during a big holiday dinner!
Sherry Ronning
I love your 3 ingredients cranberry sauce!!
laura
I love how handy the Instant Pot is in the kitchen!!