• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Pinterest
My Cookbook
About Jo
Get in Touch

Craving Home Cooked

Delicious Home Cooked Meals That Everyone Craves

Display Search Bar
Main Menu
Recipe Index
Dinner
30 Minute Meals
One Pot Meals
Desserts
Free EBook
My Cookbook
About Jo
Get in Touch
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Pinterest
Visit my other site: Jo Cooks
Tap to download our free eBook!

Subscribe & receive a FREE Comfort Food Recipe Book!





Recipe Index
Dinner
30 Minute Meals
One Pot Meals
Desserts
Free EBook
HomeIngredientCondiment
5 from 4 votes
Leave a Comment

Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce

Total Time30 minutes minutes
Recipe
Print
By: Joanna Cismaru Posted: 10/08/20 Updated: 05/17/24

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This made from scratch Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce is a beautiful addition to your Thanksgiving or Christmas table! A quick, sweet, tart, home made ruby red sauce, exploding with flavor makes ready in just 30 minutes.

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • Ingredient Notes
  • How to Pick Out the Freshest Cranberries
  • How to Make Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce
  • What Else Can I Add to My Cranberry Sauce?
  • Why You’ll Love This Recipe
  • Leftovers
  • What To Serve With
  • Craving More Holiday Sides?
  • Subscribe & receive a FREE Comfort Food Recipe Book!
  • Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce
  • Did you try this recipe?
cranberry sauce in two little bowls garnished with mint

Am I allowed to say “Tis The Season!” yet? Because believe it or not Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner! I know, kind of crazy! And the closer that we get to the holidays the more I keep thinking about essential holiday recipes for all of you!

You truly can not go wrong with a homemade cranberry sauce. It’s harvest season around these parts of Canada and I cannot even begin to describe the flavor that is, fresh cranberries. This cranberry sauce is made in one pot, with a little bit of nutmeg and some orange zest – and let me tell you, it’s a home run!

Ingredient Notes

overhead shot of ingredients needed for cranberry sauce
  • Cranberries – The most important ingredient in this recipe. I am using 1 bag of fresh cranberries today but frozen cranberries work just as well.
  • Orange – We’re using the juice and the zest, this will help to add acidity and will also brighten our sauce.
  • Sugar – Simple, granulated white sugar is all that’s needed.
  • Nutmeg – This is going to help round out the sauce – if you don’t have any on hand, cinnamon will work just as well.
  • Vanilla – The secret ingredient! Only a little splash in needed to bring all these flavors together!

How to Pick Out the Freshest Cranberries

If you’re really going the extra mile for this cranberry sauce and picking out individual fresh cranberries, there are a couple things you want to look for.

  1. Look for cranberries that are deep red in color, and
  2. They should also be plump, and firm to touch.

You will know they are fresh if you can bounce a couple off the floor (I’m not kidding, try to be discrete!).

How to Make Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce

process shots showing how to make cranberry sauce in the instant pot
  1. Assemble the sauce: In an instant pot or pressure cooker, add 8oz of the cranberries, orange juice, and orange zest. Lock the lid into place, turn the valve to sealing. Select manual/pressure cook and adjust pressure to high; set the timer for 15 minutes. When cooking has finished, let the pressure release naturally and then turn the valve to venting in order to release any remaining pressure.
  2. Finish the sauce: Remove the lid and add in left over portion of cranberries, as well as the sugar, nutmeg, and vanilla. Stir until sugar is dissolved and the last berries begin to burst – which should be within 3 minutes. And voila!

NOTE: If the sauce is too thick, you can add water (not too much!) in order to thin the sauce to better suit your liking!

overhead shot of two bowls with cranberry sauce

What Else Can I Add to My Cranberry Sauce?

You can add lots! Cranberry sauce is a bit of a blank canvas, here are a few suggestions:

  • Nuts – Any of your choice – chopped pecans would be delish!
  • Spices – Different spices such as allspice, cinnamon, or cloves.
  • Raisins
  • Candied ginger
  • Pomegranate molasses

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Versatility you guys! Don’t limit yourself to only making this sauce a couple times a year – there are so many ways to use this cranberry sauce that are not dependant on whether or not it’s a holiday!

  • Jam – Use it like a jam, on fresh breads, paninis, pancakes and waffles.
  • Flavor – Add it to yogurt, smoothies, cream cheese spreads, or even whipped cream.
  • Baking – This is a no brainer! Put it in tarts, muffins, pastries and so much more!
  • Glaze – Add it onto poultry or meat for a little zingy topping!
cranberry sauce in a small bowl

Leftovers

If you store cranberry sauce in the fridge in an airtight container it will actually last up tp 2 weeks! It freezes really well too making it super helpful for preparing ahead of time!

What To Serve With

  • Balsamic Pork Loin
  • Baked Chicken Thighs
  • Roast Turkey
  • Cranberry Meatballs
cranberry sauce in two bowls

Craving More Holiday Sides?

  • Butter Biscuits
  • Potatoes Au Gratin
  • Roasted Green Beans
  • Garlic Herb Red Potato Salad
  • Garlic Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Craving More? Follow Along:

Free Newsletter

Subscribe & receive a FREE Comfort Food Recipe Book!





Pinterest
Facebook
Instagram
Recipe
5 from 4 votes

Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce

This made from scratch Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce is a beautiful addition to your Thanksgiving or Christmas table! A quick, sweet, tart, home made ruby red sauce, exploding with flavor makes it a perfect holiday essential.
Prep: 5 minutes mins
Cook: 15 minutes mins
Total: 30 minutes mins
NPR: 10 minutes mins
Print
Rate
8

Equipment

  • Instant Pot – 6 quart

Ingredients

  • 12 ounce cranberries fresh (1 bag)
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1/2 cup sugar granulated
  • 2 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Add 8 oz of the cranberries, orange juice and orange zest to the Instant Pot. Lock the lid into place and turn the valve to “sealing.” Select Manual or Pressure Cook and adjust the pressure to High. Set the time for 15 minutes. When cooking ends, let the pressure release naturally for 7 minutes, then turn the valve to “venting” to quick release the remaining pressure.
  • Unlock and remove the lid. Select Sauté mode. Add remaining cranberries, sugar, nutmeg and vanilla extract. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the last berries begin to burst, about 3 minutes. Add a bit of water to thin the sauce out if it gets too thick for your liking.

Tips & Notes:

  1. If you store cranberry sauce in the fridge in an airtight container it will actually last up tp 2 weeks! It freezes really well too making it super helpful for preparing ahead of time!

nutrition facts

Calories: 78kcal (4%) Carbohydrates: 20g (7%) Protein: 1g (2%) Fat: 1g (2%) Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) Sodium: 1mg Potassium: 67mg (2%) Fiber: 2g (8%) Sugar: 16g (18%) Vitamin A: 63IU (1%) Vitamin C: 15mg (18%) Calcium: 8mg (1%) Iron: 1mg (6%)
Author: Joanna Cismaru
Course: Sauce, Side Dish
Cuisine: American

before you go!

Did you try this recipe?

Leave us a recipe rating below + tag @cravinghomecooked on instagram and hashtag it #cravinghomecooked!

Joanna Cismaru

Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts. Find me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Read More

Comfort Food Recipes

Subscribe and receive a FREE copy of my Top 25 Recipes eBook!





Previous Post
Focaccia Bread
closeup of broccoli chicken casserole in a skillet.
Next Post
Broccoli Chicken Casserole
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
Rate this recipe




guest
Rate this recipe




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

0 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

sidebar

joanna cismaru headshot.

welcome

Hi and Welcome! I’m Joanna and I’m the creator of this blog. I am a writer, a photographer and a cookbook author.

Read More…

Click to subscribe to new recipes & latest cravings!

Subscribe & receive a FREE Comfort Food Recipe Book!




Popular Now

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Creamy Parmesan Orzo with Chicken and Asparagus

Creamy Parmesan Orzo with Chicken and Asparagus

Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper

sliced up chicken parmesan on a bed of spaghetti in a black bowl.

Chicken Parmesan

Buffalo Chicken Lasagna

creamy tuscan chicken pasta in a black skillet.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta

a spatula lifting a piece of lasagna from a casserole dish.

The Best Lasagna

chicken club pasta salad in a white bowl.

Chicken Club Pasta Salad

Dinner Recipes

freshly made marry me chicken in a cast iron skillet garnished with parsley.

Marry Me Chicken

Instant Pot Meatloaf

Butter Chicken

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Taco Stuffed Pepper Casserole

freshly made garlic butter steak and potatoes in a skillet.

Garlic Butter Steak And Potatoes

chinese sizzling beef on a bed of rice in a plate.

Chinese Sizzling Beef

chicken fajitas on a tortilla garnished with sour cream and limes.

Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas

Comfort Food Recipes

Subscribe and receive a FREE copy of my 25 Recipe ebook!

Download Now

Subscribe & receive a FREE Comfort Food Recipe Book!





our top ten

most popular recipes

creamy tuscan chicken pasta in a black skillet.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Creamy Parmesan Orzo with Chicken and Asparagus

Creamy Parmesan Orzo with Chicken and Asparagus

Easy Pasta Alfredo

freshly made marry me chicken in a cast iron skillet garnished with parsley.

Marry Me Chicken

a spatula lifting a piece of lasagna from a casserole dish.

The Best Lasagna

honey garlic chicken bites on a bed of rice in a bowl.

Honey Garlic Chicken Bites

freshly baked blueberry biscuits in a black cast iron skillet.

Blueberry Biscuits

Chicken Spaghetti

Butter Chicken

Browse All

Explore:

Recipe Index
Cookbook
Free eBook
Contact

Follow Along:

Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Pinterest

AS FEATURED ON:

parade logo.
thekitchen logo.
msn logo.
bloglovin logo.
Visit My Other Site: Jo Cooks
Privacy Policy
Accessibility
© 2025
Site Credits
Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled
wpDiscuz

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required