Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce

With the holidays coming up there is always a rush to create the perfect meal. With the hustle and bustle it’s a good idea to have a great collection of recipes that you know are easy, delicious and family approved. This Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce hits all of those marks plus you only need 7 ingredients. Let me show you how to make this homemade cranberry sauce recipe today.

Recipe and photography by Kelley Grant from Mom Makes Dinner

I bet you have a recipe that you remember being brought to every family holiday. The one that everyone waits for and there were no leftovers. This easy cranberry sauce is that recipe. It’s perfect for your Thanksgiving, Christmas or even New Years get together.

What is cranberry sauce?

Cranberry sauce is sauce or relish that is normally served as a side dish during the holidays when cranberries are readily available.

There are typically two types of cranberry sauce – one that chops up the cranberries into a true “relish” and the other that makes a sauce or almost gelatin out of the whole cranberries. This easy Instant Pot version is the second one and is naturally thickened with honey.

Instant Pot Cranberry sauce ingredients

I love this recipe because you only need 7 common ingredients. In fact, the most “exotic” ingredient would be the cranberries! To make this recipe you will need:

Cranberries

Orange juice

Orange zest

Brown sugar

Honey

Cinnamon stick

Cloves

 

Cranberries – These can be found in the fresh produce section of most grocery stores. They normally don’t have them out year round so you have to catch them during the holiday season. If you can’t find fresh cranberries, frozen ones will work as well.

Orange juice – You can use orange juice from a jug or freshly squeezed. I like to use freshly squeezed since I need to use the zest from an orange anyways.

Sweeteners – Honey and brown sugar are used in this easy cranberry sauce recipe. Together they naturally make the cranberry sauce gelatinous. No pectin needed for this recipe!

Spices – I love using whole spices for this cranberry sauce. One cinnamon stick and a few cloves give this recipe amazing flavor. You can also use ground cinnamon and cloves here as well.

How to make cranberry sauce in the Instant Pot

Once you have all your ingredients gathered you will also want to grab:

Your Instant Pot

Measuring cups and spoons

A spatula

 

Step 1 Measure your ingredients       

Measure all your ingredients and place them in your inner pot in your Instant Pot.

 

Step 2 Mix together

Mix all your ingredients together and place the lid on your Instant Pot.

 

Step 3 Pressure cook

Move your pressure valve to sealing. Set your pressure cooker to high pressure and 5 minutes. It will take about 10 minutes for your Instant Pot to build pressure.

 

Step 4 Naturally release pressure

Once your Instant Pot is done cooking it will beep. Allow it to release pressure naturally, which means leave it alone until the pin from the valve drops. Then all pressure has been released and it is safe to open your pressure cooker.

 

Step 5 Mix and serve

Once your cranberry sauce is done cooking, remove the lid and give it a good stir. Depending on how chunky you want your cranberry sauce to be, you might want to mash it a bit with a potato masher. The cranberries will be really soft from cooking and will easily blend into the liquid. You can also use an immersion blender if you want a more smooth consistency. Allow to cool slightly and serve.

 

Can I use frozen cranberries?

Yes! You can! You can either thaw your cranberries before adding them to your Instant Pot or you can add them frozen. You do not need to adjust the cooking time if you are using frozen cranberries.

Can I make this on the stove top?

Yes! You can easily make this homemade cranberry sauce on the stove top instead of in your pressure cooker. This classic cranberry sauce recipe is very similar to my Instant Pot version, but allows you to make it on the stove instead.

Can I make this in my Crock Pot?

Again, you sure can! Using your Crock Pot is similar to using your Instant Pot in that you free up oven space for other dishes. The only difference is you cook it a bit longer in your Crock Pot. This Crock Pot cranberry sauce is a great recipe to try if you are looking to use your slow cooker.

How to store leftovers

You are going to want to place any leftovers in an airtight container in your fridge. It will keep for 3-4 days, if stored properly.

Can I freeze this homemade cranberry sauce?

You can! Make the recipe as written and allow to cool completely. Place the cooled cranberry sauce in an airtight container or in a plastic Ziplock baggy. Place in your freezer. This cranberry sauce will keep for 3 months in the freezer.

To re-heat, thaw in the fridge overnight. Heat in the microwave and enjoy!

More favorite Thanksgiving recipes:

Slow Cooker Stuffing With Bacon Onions and Sage 

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast 

Pumpkin Soup

Pumpkin Mashed Potatoes