Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce Recipe | Easy Holiday Side Dish
Bright, tangy, and perfectly sweet, this Instant Pot cranberry sauce is the ultimate holiday side dish. Quick to make and bursting with flavor, it’s a must-have for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any festive meal.
Equipment
- Instant Pot (6-quart or larger)
- Mixing spoon
- Measuring cups
- Citrus zester (optional)
Ingredients
- 12 oz fresh cranberries (about 3 cups)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (or honey/maple syrup)
- ½ cup orange juice
- ½ cup water
- 1 tsp orange zest (optional)
- ½ tsp cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare cranberries: Rinse and discard any soft berries.
- Add ingredients: Place cranberries, sugar, orange juice, water, and optional zest/spices into Instant Pot.
- Pressure cook: Seal lid. Cook on high pressure for 2 minutes.
- Natural release: Allow 10 minutes natural release, then open lid.
- Mash & adjust: Stir gently, mash cranberries to desired texture, and adjust sweetness if needed.
- Cool & serve: Transfer to bowl. Sauce thickens as it cools.
Notes
- Make-ahead: Stores in fridge up to 10 days; freezes up to 2 months.
- Variations: Add cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, or swap sugar for honey/maple syrup.
- Tip: Natural release preserves texture and prevents splattering.
- Serving ideas: Pair with turkey, ham, sandwiches, cheese boards, or desserts.