Elevate your holiday feast with Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce. Bursting with tart and sweet flavors, this homemade cranberry sauce is the perfect accompaniment to turkey, ham, or any festive meal. Using the convenience of the Instant Pot, you can whip up this flavorful sauce in no time.
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Why This Recipe Works
- Quick and Easy: This Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce recipe is time-saving and effortlessly prepared in your Instant Pot.
- Fresh Flavor Burst: Experience the vibrant burst of fresh cranberries infused with just the right balance of sweetness.
- Versatile and Delicious: From Thanksgiving feasts to everyday meals, this cranberry sauce adds a touch of homemade goodness to your dinner.
📋 Ingredients
- Oranges: The zest and juice from the oranges add a bright, citrusy flavor that perfectly complements the tartness of the cranberries.
- Honey: Adds a subtle, natural sweetness that enhances the flavors of the other ingredients without overpowering them.
- Frozen Cranberries: Provide the sauce with its characteristic tangy flavor and beautiful ruby-red color.
- Granulated Sugar: Helps to balance out the tartness of the cranberries, making the sauce pleasantly sweet but not overly so.
- Cinnamon Sticks: Infuses the sauce with a hint of warm, spicy flavor, adding depth and complexity to the overall taste.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
- Maple Infusion: For a flavorful substitution, swap honey with maple syrup in the Instant Pot cranberry sauce recipe to add a unique twist to the dish.
🔪 How To Make Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce?
- Step 1: In a large bowl, zest the two oranges and then juice each one.
- Step 2: Add honey to the bowl of orange juice and mix.
- Step 3: Pour the orange and honey mixture into the inner pot of your Instant Pot. Add the cranberries and then top off with granulated sugar and a cinnamon stick. Cover the Instant Pot with the lid and set on manual high pressure for 2 minutes.
- Step 4: Naturally release the pressure for 10 minutes. Remove the lid from your Instant Pot and set it to the sauté function. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick and scoop the Instant Pot cranberry sauce into a serving dish. Serve with fresh orange zest on top if desired and enjoy!
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Natural Thickeners: Use ingredients like chia seeds or ground flaxseed as natural thickeners to achieve a thicker consistency without added sugars or artificial thickeners.
- Acidity Adjustment: Adjust the acidity of the Instant Pot cranberry sauce by adding a splash of balsamic vinegar or lemon juice, enhancing the brightness of the flavors.
💭 FAQs
Let your leftover cranberry sauce cool to room temperature before storing. Place it in a covered container and refrigerate for 7-10 days.
For longer storage, freeze cranberry sauce in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2-3 months.
Cranberries naturally contain pectin, which helps thicken the sauce as it cools. If it’s too thin, let it simmer longer to reduce the liquid or mash some of the cranberries for a thicker texture.
Yes! Frozen cranberries work just like fresh ones—no need to thaw before cooking. If using dried cranberries, soak them in hot water or juice for about 15 minutes before cooking to rehydrate them.
For more depth, try adding orange zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, or a splash of bourbon. Sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or brown sugar can also enhance the taste.
To achieve a jellied cranberry sauce consistency, you can strain out the cranberry skins after cooking and then chill the sauce until it sets.
Serving Suggestions
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Cranberry Sauce:
- Roast Turkey: Enhance your Thanksgiving dinner with Instant Pot cranberry sauce, a classic accompaniment to roast turkey. Its sweet and tart flavor complements the savory taste of the turkey, adding a burst of freshness to each bite.
- Baked Brie: Serve Instant Pot cranberry sauce alongside baked brie for an elegant appetizer. The creamy cheese pairs beautifully with the tangy sweetness of the cranberry sauce, creating a perfect balance of flavors.
- Pork Tenderloin: Cranberry sauce is a fantastic condiment for pork tenderloin. Its bright flavor cuts through the richness of the pork, adding a pop of color and taste to the dish.
- Cheese Plate: Add cranberry sauce to a cheese plate for a festive touch. Pair it with a variety of cheeses such as brie, cheddar, and goat cheese for a delicious and elegant appetizer spread.
🍜 Related Recipes
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Easy Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 Large Oranges
- 3 tablespoon Honey
- 3 cups Cranberries Frozen
- 1 cup Sugar White
- 1 Stick Cinnamon
Instructions
- In a large bowl, zest the two oranges and then juice each one.
- Add honey to the bowl of orange juice and mix.
- Pour the orange and honey mixture into the inner pot of your Instant Pot. Add the cranberries and then top off with granulated sugar and a cinnamon stick.
- Cover the Instant Pot with the lid and set on manual high pressure for 2 minutes.
- Once the time is up, allow for a 10-minute NPR (Natural Pressure Release).
- Remove the lid to your Instant Pot and set it to the sauté function. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove the cinnamon stick and scoop the Instant Pot cranberry sauce into a serving dish. Serve with fresh orange zest on top if desired and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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Hello! I am tripling this recipe. Do I need to alter my times? Thanks!
Angela
no.. it is best to stick to the same times, although the time it takes to come to pressure may change with more ingredients and liquid.
How much liquid is gotten from two squeezed oranges? I have added a chopped apple and 1/4 raisins, which thickens it.
Hi Kittie, 2 Oranges will make about 1/2 cup of orange juice but you'l need to follow the recipe exactly to make it work. If you add apple and rasins, you may need to add more liquid if it's too thick.