Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce (GF, V)

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Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce is quick and easy to make using fresh or frozen cranberries. All you need is 5 minutes of hand-on time and 5 ingredients!

Suitable for vegan and gluten free diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.

instant pot cranberry sauce served in a ceramic bowl with spoon and cloth napkin

Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce is a fun and easy way to make your very own version of the classic sweet and tart side sauce that has pride of place at every festive table. Making it in the pressure cooker frees up your stovetop for all the other things you need to be cooking over busy periods.

Plus this homemade cranberry sauce is also healthier because it is sweetened with maple syrup instead of tons of refined sugar. It comes together in just a few minutes and with only 5 essential everyday ingredients and a few optional add-ins.

This easy Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce can be made using fresh or frozen cranberries, so you can easily make this at any time of year!

Instant pot quick start guide image

My family loves whipping up this homemade cranberry sauce for Christmas, Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, Easter and all festive occasions. It goes great with roast turkey breast, mashed sweet potato, brussels sprouts, and beef or pork. And adding leftover cranberry sauce is soooooo great on a turkey sandwich.

top down view of the finished instant pot cranberry sauce recipe

Why You’ll ♡ It

  • Quick and easy – done in one pot with 5 minutes of hands-on time.
  • Healthier – sweetened with maple syrup so refined sugar free.
  • Pantry-friendly – made with pantry items you already own.
  • Make ahead – and keep in the refrigerator till needed.

Tools Needed

How To Make Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce.

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below. 

  • Add the fresh or frozen cranberries in the Instant Pot insert.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine maple syrup, orange juice, cinnamon and nutmeg and add into the Instant Pot along with the strips of orange peel.
  • Cover and seal your Instant Pot. Press Pressure Cook/Manual on high pressure and set to 4 minutes.
  • Let the pressure release naturally before opening the Instant Pot and removing the orange peel.
  • Mash the cranberry sauce to your desired texture or leave it as is before serving.
image collage showing the steps for making instant pot cranberry sauce

Recipe Tips

  • Allow the sauce to cool down sufficiently before mashing.
  • Add more maple syrup if your homemade cranberry sauce is too tart.
  • Try to use freshly squeezed orange juice instead of made from concentrate.
  • Cooking time listed does not include time to come up to pressure or for the pressure to release.

Recipe Variations

  • Vary the sweeteners: You can use honey, agave, or date syrup.
  • Vary the spices: Try it with allspice, ginger, or cloves.
  • Top with nuts: Top with chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds for some crunch.
instant pot cranberry sauce inside the instant pot insert

Storage

Storing – Stored in the fridge, this will last for 5-6 days.

Freeze – Follow the handy tips below on how to freeze this.

  • Let cool down then transfer into these convenient Ziploc freezer bags.
  • Squeeze out all the extra air and seal the bags.
  • Label the bags and then lay them flat in the freezer.
  • Store in the freezer for three months.

Defrost – Thaw overnight in the fridge.

instant pot cranberry sauce inside a glass storage container

FAQs

Can I Scale Up The Recipe

Absolutely. Double or triple the ingredients and cook for the same amount of time. Just make sure you don’t fill your Instant pot past the maximum fill line.

Can I Make This Boozy

You sure can. Add in a little bit of vodka or bourbon and you are good to go. #boozycranberrysauce

close up view of the instant pot cranberry sauce in a serving bowl

Serving Suggestions

More Instant Pot Holiday Recipes

If you like this Cranberry Sauce Instant Pot, you’ll want to try this other delicious Instant Pot Recipes:

Weight Watchers Points

There are 5 Blue Plan SmartPoints in a serving of this pressure cooker cranberry sauce.

Thank you for reading my Homemade Cranberry Sauce Instant Pot recipe post. And please visit again as I continue dreaming up recipes, traditional African recipes, African fusion recipes, Sierra Leone recipes, travel plans and much more for you. Thanks for reading Recipes from a Pantry, UK food blog.

Get The Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce Recipe:

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instant pot cranberry sauce served in a ceramic bowl with spoon and cloth napkin
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce

Making homemade Cranberry Sauce in the Instant Pot is so quick and easy!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time4 minutes
Course: Sauce, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Western
Servings: 12
Calories: 111kcal
Author: Bintu Hardy

Ingredients

  • 24 ounces (680g) fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1 cup (240 ml) orange juice freshly squeezed, if possible
  • 1 cup (240 ml) maple syrup
  • 3 strips of orange peel
  • 1/3 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions

  • Add the fresh or frozen cranberries in the Instant Pot insert.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine maple syrup, orange juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg and then add to the Instant Pot along with the orange peel strips.
  • Cover and seal your Instant Pot. Press Pressure Cook/Manual on high pressure and set to 4 minutes.
  • Let the pressure release naturally before opening the Instant Pot and removing the strips of orange peel.
  • Mash the cranberry sauce to your desired texture or leave it as is before serving.
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Notes

  • Allow the sauce to cool down sufficiently before mashing.
  • Add more maple syrup if your homemade cranberry sauce is too tart.
  • Try to use freshly squeezed orange juice instead of made from concentrate.
  • Cooking time listed does not include time to come up to pressure or for the pressure to release.
There are 5 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 111kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 156mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 88IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 1mg

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One Comment

  1. 5 stars
    Love cranberry sauce and making it in the Instant Pot is a total game changer! Super tasty.