• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
A Mind "Full" Mom
  • ingredient
    • Pasta
    • Beef
    • Poultry
    • Pork
    • Seafood
    • Vegetarian
    • soups
    • burgers
  • course
    • Beverages
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Main Courses
    • Sides
    • Salads
    • Snacks
    • Desserts
    • Condiments
  • method
    • 30-Minute Meals
    • Grilling
    • Instant Pot
    • Slow Cooker
    • Air Fryer
  • All Recipes
    • Main Courses
      • Beef Recipes
      • Chicken & Turkey
      • Pasta
      • Pork
      • Seafood
      • Soup, Stew, and Chili
      • Vegetarian
    • Breakfast
    • Breads and Muffins
    • Desserts
    • Kid-Friendly
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Slow Cooker
    • Snacks
    • Pantry Staples
    • Allergy Friendly Recipes
      • Plant-Based
      • Gluten-Free
      • Dairy-Free
  • Instant Pot
  • 30-Minute Meals
  • Meet Kristen
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Instant Pot
  • 30-Minute Meals
  • All Recipes
  • Meet Kristen
  • Subscribe
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce

    Allergy Friendly Recipes Dairy-Free Recipes Gluten Free Holiday Cuisine Instant Pot Instant Pot Side Dishes Real Food March 1, 2023 | By Kristen Chidsey | 2 Comments | *This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe
    Cranberry sauce topped with orange zest next to the inner pot.

    Fresh cranberries and tangy orange juice combine to quickly make a delicious Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce.

    Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce in a clear glass serving dish next to instant pot.

    Cranberry Sauce Made Fast

    Inspired by my recipe for Cranberry Orange Sauce, this recipe for Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce comes together with very little effort.

    Seriously, it is almost as easy as opening up canned Cranberry Sauce, yet the flavor is so much better.

    Flavored with orange, maple, cinnamon, and brown sugar, this recipe for Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce is tart, yet sweet and is the best compliment to the heavier holiday dishes.

    Notes on Ingredients

    Ingredients Labeled for Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce.
    • Cranberries: Use fresh or frozen cranberries. No need to defrost frozen cranberries or adjust the cooking time.
    • Orange Juice: Orange and cranberries are a natural pairing. Using 100% orange juice as the liquid in the cranberry sauce adds delicious flavor. If you don't happen to have orange juice on hand, pineapple juice is a great alternative.
    • Brown Sugar: I prefer using brown sugar over granulated sugar, as the molasses flavor from the brown sugar really adds depth to the cranberry sauce.
    • Maple Syrup: Adding a bit of maple to the cranberry sauce, is going to add rich notes. Just be sure to use 100% pure maple syrup.
    • Cinnamon: Cinnamon is absolutely optional, but it does pair beautifully with cranberries.

    How to Make Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce

    • If using fresh cranberries, give them a good rinse and drain well.
    • Add the cranberries to the inner pot, along with the orange juice, brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
    • Give that all a good mix to evenly coat the cranberries with the sugar and cinnamon.
    Ingredients for cranberry sauce in inner pot of instant pot.
    • Place the lid on the inner pot and turn the vent knob to the sealed position.
    • Set the cooking time to 4 minutes on high pressure. 
    • Once the cooking time has elapsed, allow the pressure to release for 10 minutes. 
    • Open the lid and give your cranberry sauce a good stir.
    Cooked cranberry sauce in instant pot.
    • Right now, the cranberry sauce is truly a sauce, but keep in mind it will thicken as it cools. If you would like your cranberry sauce to be thicker, turn the instant pot to saute and let simmer until some of the liquid has evaporated.
    • Allow the sauce to cool slightly and then transfer to a storage container and refrigerate until fully chilled, as cranberry sauce tastes better after it has had time to chill and the flavors meld together.
    • Once chilled transfer the cranberry sauce to a serving dish for serving.
    Cranberry sauce topped with orange zest next to the inner pot.

    Leftover Cranberry Sauce

    Leftover cranberry sauce can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator or frozen in a freezer-safe container with 1-inch of space for expansion for up to 3 months.

    And don't just limit Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce is not only good for Thanksgiving, but the is delicious served over pancakes, sweet potato pancakes, or sweet potato waffles. It is also delicious served on leftover turkey sandwiches, on baked brie, or even mixed with barbecue sauce for a BBQ Turkey Pizza--so so good!

    Recipe FAQs

    Is there enough liquid to prevent a burn notice?

    I always say that you need 1 cup of thin liquid when pressure cooking in a 6-quart Instant Pot and 1.5 cups for an 8-quart Instant Pot. However, the cranberries will immediately release some of their natural juices as pressure is building, so no need to use the standard liquid needed when pressure cooking. 

    Why is this recipe different than your stovetop recipe for cranberry sauce?

    My recipe for Cranberry Orange Sauce uses orange juice concentrate. This eliminates the need for adding brown sugar because the concentrated orange juice is plenty sweet. However, the orange juice concentrate burns easily and therefore should be avoided when pressure cooking.

    Can this recipe be cut in half?

    Yes, but you will still need to use ½ cup of orange juice for a 6-quart Instant Pot and ¾ cup for an 8-quart. You may need to drain off some of the liquid or simmer using the saute function to thicken.

    What if I want a smooth cranberry sauce?

    After the cranberry sauce has been cooled slightly, you can blend it with an immersion blender or in a blender or food processor.

    How sweet is this recipe for cranberry sauce?

    This recipe as prepared is on the tarter side. For a sweeter cranberry sauce use a full 1 cup of brown sugar. 

    Step-By-Step Video

    If you learn better through visual steps, be sure to check out my video on YouTube for Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce.

    Cranberry Sauce with Instant Pot Cut Out and text that reads cranberry sauce.

    More Instant Pot Thanksgiving Recipes

    • Instant Pot Turkey Breast
    • Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
    • Instant Pot Green Beans
    • Instant Pot Stuffing
    • Instant Pot Pumpkin Cheesecake

    If you made this Instant Pot Cranberry, be sure to leave a comment and review below.

    Cranberry sauce topped with orange zest next to the inner pot.

    Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce

    Flavored with orange, maple, cinnamon, and brown sugar, this recipe for Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce is tart yet sweet and incredibly easy to make.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 3 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 4 minutes minutes
    Pressure Build-Up and Release: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 27 minutes minutes
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 110kcal
    Author: Kristen Chidsey

    Ingredients

    • 24 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries
    • ½-3/4 cup orange juice see note
    • 3 tablespoons maple syrup
    • â…” cup brown sugar see note
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • pinch of salt
    Prevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.

    Instructions

    • Combine the cranberries, orange juice, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and a pinch of salt in the inner pot of your pressure cooker.
    • Close the pressure cooker and be sure the vent knob is sealed. Set the cooking time to 4 minutes on high pressure.
    • Once the cooking time has elapsed, allow the pressure to release naturally for at least 10 minutes.
    • Open up the Instant Pot and give everything a good stir. Allow the cranberry sauce to cool slightly and then transfer to an airtight container and chill completely, for at least 4 hours before serving.

    Equipment Needed

    • Electric Pressure Cooker (6 or 8 quart)

    Notes

    Orange Juice: For a 6-quart Instant Pot, use ½ cup of orange juice. For an 8-quart Instant Pot use ¾ cup of orange juice. Use either freshly squeezed or refrigerated orange juice. 
    Brown Sugar: For a tarter sauce, use â…” cup of brown sugar, for a sweeter sauce use a full 1 cup of brown sugar. 
    Storage: Store cranberry sauce in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator or in a freezer-safe container, leaving 1-inch of space for expansion, for up to 3 months. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 110kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 117mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 66IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1mg
    Liked this Recipe? Tag me Today!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram - I would love to see!
    « Turkey Gravy
    Turkey Fruit Platter »

    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Gina

      November 08, 2021 at 12:29 pm

      5 stars
      My favorite part of Thanksgiving is always the cranberry sauce. Love how this recipe makes it even easier by using the IP! Another thing off the stove and away from the oven is always helpful!

      Reply
    2. Katherine

      November 08, 2021 at 11:18 am

      5 stars
      I love how quick and easy it is to make this cranberry sauce in the instant pot! And no splattering all over the stove -win-win!

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Cranberry sauce topped with orange zest next to the inner pot.

    Meet a Mind "Full" Mom

    A Picture of A Mind"Full"Mom

    Hi! I'm Kristen. I want to welcome you into my kitchen and my REAL, imperfect life. Let me share with you tips and tricks to help you make healthy eating a reality for your family in the chaos of life and on the constraints of a budget. Read more

    Instant Pot Favorites

    • jar of plain yogurt next to instant pot
      Instant Pot Yogurt
    • Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs Sliced Open on cutting board
      Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
    • Instant Pot Pot Roast sliced up on white platter with carrots and potatoes.
      Instant Pot Pot Roast
    • Whole seasoned chicken on trivet inside inner pot.
      Instant Pot Whole Chicken
    • Bowl of Cold Start Yogurt
      Instant Pot Cold Start Yogurt
    • Inner pot of instant pot filled dried beans
      Instant Pot Beans
    • How to use the instant pot as a slow cooker
      How to Use Your Instant Pot as a Slow Cooker
    • 4 chicken breasts cooked inside instant pot.
      Instant Pot Chicken Breast (Fresh or Frozen)

    Reader Favorites

    • Bowl of creamy coleslaw made with shredded green cabbage.
      Easy Homemade Coleslaw
    • Homemade Chicken Tenders on platter.
      Homemade Chicken Tenders
    • Baked Instant Pot Sweet Potato on white plate topped with pat of butter.
      Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
    • Chili seasonings labled on wooden board
      Chili Seasoning Recipe
    • 3 Salmon Fillets on green plate topped with limes.
      Easy Baked Salmon
    • Instant Pot Chicken Wing being dipped into ranch dressing.
      Instant Pot Chicken Wings
    • Latte in glass mug with coffee beans on the counter.
      Easy Homemade Latte Recipe
    • Creamy and Cheesy Chicken and Rice in yellow casserole dish
      Creamy and Cheesy Chicken and Rice

    Footer

    Cranberry sauce topped with orange zest next to the inner pot.

    Featured on:

    Websites AMind"Full"Mom has been featured on

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work with me

    DISCLAIMER: THE SITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE AND IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR TREATMENT. AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS I GENUINELY LOVE ARE OFTEN INCORPORATED IN MY POSTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

    Copyright © 2020 · A MIND "FULL" MOM