This simple Instant Pot cranberry sauce recipe is made with frozen cranberries and orange juice. Cranberry sauce makes the perfect side dish recipe not only for Thanksgiving dinner. But it also pairs well with chicken and pork.

This quick and easy cranberry sauce recipe is sweet with a little tartness and bright in color. Making a great side dish recipe for Thanksgiving dinner.
Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce
As a kid, I can remember at Thanksgiving my grandma having the cranberry sauce that came out of the can. You know the type that is in the form of the can as it sits on the plate jiggling at you?
Maybe it was because it was still in the shape of the can or maybe it was the fact it jiggled, but cranberry sauce didn't appeal to me. That was until I started making my raspberry cranberry jello recipe.
This recipe must have been the golden ticket for me to fall in love with cranberries altogether. Now I like to add dried cranberries to my salads or mix them with nuts for a snack.
I got thinking about that cranberry sauce that grandma use to open. There must be a better way to have it so I turned to my beloved Instant Pot to help to make a simple cranberry sauce.
This Instant Pot cranberry sauce only takes 2 minutes in the pressure cooker. How great is that for a quick side dish recipe?
How To Make Cranberry Sauce
Sharing tips in the kitchen is one of my favorite things to do. One of the biggest tips I have. Is before you start to make a recipe make sure you have all the ingredients.
I'm not sure how many times in my younger cooking days I would be in the middle of cooking and not have a needed ingredient. Sometimes the recipe turned out better and sometimes it was really missing that key ingredient.
Instant Pot cranberry sauce is made with fresh frozen cranberries, a dash of cinnamon, sugar, orange juice, and a bit of orange zest. Now that we have all the ingredients let's get this recipe going.
New to using the Instant Pot, we have an article on Instant Pot terms you may find useful. In the inner pot of your Instant Pot add the frozen cranberries, orange juice, cinnamon, orange zest, and sugar. It's important that you don't stir.
Stirring the mixture will cause the sugar to fall to the bottom of your inner pot, causing that dreaded burn notice. Place the lid onto your IP and press pressure cook. Make sure it says high pressure and then adjust the minutes to 2 minutes.
If your IP is like my 6- quart, then you will want to make sure the steam release valve is set to sealing. The Instant Pot won't come to pressure if it isn't turned to sealing.
Cranberry Sauce
It does take the Instant Pot about 5 minutes or so to come to pressure then it will start to cook and count down. When the 2 minute cook time is done do a natural release for 5 minutes at least.
Turn the steam release valve to venting and let the steam out. After you remove the lid you can give the sauce a good stir.
Transfer the cranberry sauce to a dish. I like to sever this recipe in one of two ways. I like it a little warm so I'll let it cool a bit before serving it. We also enjoy this sauce chilled, when it cools it will thicken.
Tips For Making Cranberry Sauce
You can use either fresh or frozen and get a delicious cranberry sauce. I prefer to use fresh cranberries that I freeze ahead of making the sauce. Since cranberries are a shorter season I like to stock up when my store has some available. Right now I believe I have four bags in my freezer. This way I have some for the rest of the year.
It sure can be doubled. Just keep in mind of the fill line in the inner pot. Since this recipe becomes foamy. The cook time will stay the same as this recipe.
You sure can, I would recommend honey or maple syrup.
After the cranberry sauce has chilled wit will thicken, adding water into it will loosen it up. I recommend doing this in a saucepan over medium heat. Add about 1 tablespoon of water at a time. As the sauce reheats and mixes in with the water it will loosen.
This recipe can be made in any size Instant Pot you may have.
I sure hope you enjoy this recipe for the sweet-tart ruby red cranberry sauce that is made in the Instant Pot. This Instant Pot cranberry sauce is a perfect addition to your Thanksgiving feast or Christmas dinner.
My Creative Manner is answering the question "what's there to eat" ~ Jen
Other My Creative Manner recipes you may enjoy are:
- Apple Pear Butter ~ Crockpot
- Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
- Pumpkin Pie
- Halloween Punch For Kids
- How To Make Mashed Potatoes In And Instant Pot
- Instant Pot Lasagna Soup
Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce With Orange Juice
Instant Pot Cranberry sauce is a great side dish recipe that pairs well with turkey, chicken, and pork. Add this sweet and tart-tasting simple recipe to your Thanksgiving dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 (16 ounce) Package Cranberries Frozen or fresh
- ⅓ Cup Orange Juice
- ⅛ Teaspoon Cinnamon
- ½ Teaspoon Orange Zest
- 1 Cup Sugar
Instructions
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In the inner pot of your Instant Pot add the frozen cranberries. On top of the cranberries pour the orange juice.
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Add on top of the cranberries the cinnamon, orange zest, and lastly the sugar. Do not stir.
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Place the lid onto the Instant Pot and make sure the release valve knob is set to sealing.
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Press the pressure cook button making sure it says high pressure. Adjust the cooking time to 2 minutes. It will take the Instant Pot a few minutes to come to pressure then start counting down.
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Once the cooking time is up let sit and do a natural release for 5 minutes. After the 5 minutes turn the release valve knob and release any steam that may still be in the pressure cooker.
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Remove the lid to the IP and stir the cranberry sauce. Taste the sauce to see if it's sweet enough for you. If not then add about a tablespoon of sugar into the cranberry sauce until you get the desired sweetness and stir.
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Pour the sauce into a serving dish and chill, the sauce will thicken as it cools down.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
I used frozen cranberries that I bought fresh.
The nutritional value may vary depending on the ingredients used.
Thank you for visiting My Creative Manner. We hope that you enjoy this and many more of our recipes. My Creative Manner is not responsible for the outcome of any of our recipes found on our website. Or that may be linked from or to other websites. The desired outcome of these recipes may not be achieved due to several factors, including ingredients, equipment, errors/typos, or the reader's individual cooking skills.
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