Try this Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce for hassle-free Thanksgiving prep! This pressure cooker recipe takes a few minutes to complete and with only a handful of ingredients yet delivers the same sweet-tart flavors you love from the classic holiday sauce.
There are many reasons to love homemade cranberry sauce this and every holiday season other than the tart, bright burst of flavor.
- It’s easy to make in minutes and with only a few ingredients.
- It requires almost zero tending and frees up the stovetop, pots, and the cook for other dishes on the menu.
- It’s made of natural ingredients and no preservatives.
- It can be prepped in advance and will keep well the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Cranberries are super healthy and nutritious. They are a good source of fiber, antioxidants, and immune-boosting nutrients. You get all these with just a handful of ingredients!
Ingredients and Alternatives
- Cranberries– the cranberry harvest takes place once a year in Fall and fresh cranberries are available at grocery stores from October to January. You can also use frozen to make this recipe year-round.
- Orange juice and zest– brightens the sauce with a refreshing citrus taste
- Honey– acts as a natural sweetener. You can use granulated sugar if you prefer or maple syrup as a vegan alternative
- Cinnamon powder– provides warmth and a hint of spice
- Vanilla extract– enhances the other flavors in the recipe
- Salt– balances the sweetness
How to choose fresh cranberries
- Choose berries that are shiny and plump with a light red to dark red color. Avoid ones that are mushy or shriveled, and have brown spots or molds.
- To check for freshness, throw a berry on the floor. It should be hard enough to bounce.
Helpful tips
- Cranberries are very bitter and tart due to their low sugar content and high levels of tannins. Feel free to adjust the amount of honey to temper the sour and acrid tastes to your liking.
- If you prefer a thicker consistency, continue to cook the sauce using the SAUTE function to reduce it further. You can also add pectin or cornstarch slurry to help it set. Remember, the sauce will thicken more as it cools.
Serving Suggestions
While cranberry sauce or jam is traditionally served as a condiment for holiday turkey or ham, there are many tasty ways to enjoy this fruit relish.
- It makes a delicious glaze for grilled meats such as beef kebabs and pork chops, or sauce for appetizer bites like meatballs and chicken wings.
- Use as filling for hand pies, tarts, or cakes.
- Spread it on bagels along with generous layer of cream cheese.
- Stir a dollp in your morning yogurt or top on pancakes, french toast, and waffles.
- Add to BBQ marinades or homemade salad dressings.
Forget store-bought cranberry sauce! Making it from scratch is a breeze using the Instant Pot. You get the same bright, sweet-tart flavors in minutes and with only a handful of ingredients. The perfect condiment for your holiday roast!
Course: Condiment, Side Dish
servings
Ingredients
- 3 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 cup honey
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Equipment
6-qt Instant Pot
Instructions
- Wash the fresh cranberries in cool water and drain well. If using frozen, do not thaw. Place the cranberries in the Instant Pot.
- In a bowl, combine the honey, orange juice, vanilla extract, and cinnamon powder. Stir until well-blended. Add to the pot.
- Add the orange zest.
- Close and lock the lid and set the valve on the SEALING position. Set to Manual and Pressure cook on HIGH for 4 minutes.
- When finished, do a NATURAL RELEASE for 10 minutes and quickly release any remaining pressure.
- Open the pressure cooker and remove the zest strips. Serve the cranberry sauce as is or mash to desired consistency.
Notes
If you prefer a thicker consistency, continue to cook the sauce using the SAUTE function to reduce it further. You can also add pectin or cornstarch slurry to help it set. Remember, the sauce will thicken more as it cools.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 107kcal, Carbohydrates: 29g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 99mg, Potassium: 78mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 26g, Vitamin A: 56IU, Vitamin C: 14mg, Calcium: 6mg, Iron: 1mg
“This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.”
1. 24 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries
2. 1 cup honey
3. 1 1/4 cup orange juice
4. 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
5. 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
6. 2 strips orange zest
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