Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce is a quick, easy, and delicious way to make homemade cranberry sauce with minimal effort. With the Instant Pot, you can have a perfectly cooked, tangy, and sweet cranberry sauce in just minutes, making it a perfect addition to your holiday meals. This recipe allows you to control the sweetness and flavor, and it’s great for making ahead!

Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Ingredients:

• 12 oz (340g) fresh cranberries, rinsed
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (or to taste)
• 1/4 cup orange juice (fresh or from a bottle)
• Zest of 1 orange (optional, for extra flavor)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Instant Pot: Add the cranberries, water, sugar, orange juice, orange zest (if using), and ground cinnamon (if using) into the Instant Pot insert. Stir to combine.
2. Set the Instant Pot: Close the lid and set the valve to the “Sealing” position. Select the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” button and cook on high pressure for 3 minutes.
3. Natural Release: Once the cooking time is up, let the Instant Pot naturally release pressure for about 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, carefully turn the valve to “Venting” to release any remaining pressure.
4. Mash and Adjust: Open the lid and stir the cranberry sauce. You can mash it with a spoon for a chunkier texture or use an immersion blender if you prefer a smoother sauce. Taste the sauce and adjust the sweetness, adding more sugar if desired.
5. Cool and Serve: Let the cranberry sauce cool for a few minutes before serving. It will thicken as it cools. For best results, allow it to cool completely and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving to let the flavors meld together.

Tips:

• Make it ahead: This cranberry sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. It also freezes well for up to 2 months.
• Spice it up: Add a pinch of ground cloves or ginger for a warm, spiced flavor, or even a splash of brandy for an adult twist.
• Sweeteners: You can use honey, maple syrup, or a sugar substitute if you want to change up the sweetness.
• Texture: For a chunkier cranberry sauce, feel free to skip the mashing and leave it as is, or use a potato masher to gently crush the cranberries.

This Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce is the perfect combination of sweet and tart and is a simple way to elevate your holiday meal. Enjoy!