Making cranberry sauce in an Instant Pot makes homemade sauce a breeze, without the worry of burning, boiling, or losing precious space on the stovetop. This no-fuss recipe is the perfect way to cross off your to-do list before a big holiday like Thanksgiving. You can make this recipe up to 5 days ahead of time, so you can focus on the rest of your holiday meal instead.
Natural or Quick Release?
This recipe requires a natural release of pressure. A quick release stops the cooking process quickly, so it’s best to use it when cooking dishes that you want to avoid overcooking. A natural release is perfect for dishes that have more liquid, like this cranberry sauce, where you want a well-cooked sauce. It’s a completely hands-off way of cooking cranberry sauce!
The Cranberries Thicken the Sauce
If you’ve ever wondered how cranberry sauce thickens without added thickeners a, it all comes down to pectin! Pectin is a naturally occurring carbohydrate found in many fruits and vegetables, and in high concentrations, it acts as a gelling agent. Cranberries are naturally high in pectin, and as your sauce cools, it will thicken to a perfect consistency.
Fresh or Frozen Cranberries
You can use fresh or frozen cranberries interchangeably in this recipe! If you can’t find fresh cranberries, substitute frozen and let sit at room temperature to thaw slightly before adding them to the instant pot. Alternatively, you can make this with frozen cranberries and add 1 minute to the cooking time.
Make It Your Own
Prefer it sweeter? Increase the sugar to 1 cup.Add your own spices, like 1/8 teaspoon cloves or nutmeg, for a twist on this recipe!Try adding a peeled, chopped apple for a cranberry-apple concoction.Experiment with maple syrup instead of sugar in this recipe, reducing the orange juice by half.
More Recipes for Cranberry Lovers
Cranberry Upside Down Cake Focaccia With Cranberries, Caramelized Onions, and Brie Cranberry Sorbet Cranberry Relish Cranberry Orange Sangria
Refrigerate the cranberry sauce in an airtight container for 5-7 days. Did you love the recipe? Leave us stars below!
