This Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce recipe is made with three simple ingredients. It’s a delicious and wholesome side dish. Make this easy recipe for your holiday table.

instant pot cranberry sauce in bowl.

You aren’t going to believe how easy it is to make Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce. It’s faster than using the stove top, plus it gives you more cooking space.

While cranberries are traditionally eaten just around the holidays, but they can be enjoyed throughout the year. I personally love to buy frozen bagged whole cranberries from the grocery store and make homemade cranberry sauce during any season.

Cranberries are pretty amazing little berries! They have lots of antioxidants and they’re known for helping to prevent urinary tract infections.

Key Ingredients

With just three ingredients, it doesn’t get much easier than this recipe.

labeled photo for instant pot cranberry sauce.
  • Frozen cranberries are ideal for this Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce recipe (as opposed to whole fresh cranberries) because they will prevent foaming while they cook.
  • Orange juice adds natural sweetness and a tangy orange flavor that is perfect for this classic recipe. Feel free to save some orange peel or orange zest for serving.
  • Maple syrup cuts the tartness from the cranberries and makes this a delightful side dish that goes great with Thanksgiving turkey.

See the full recipe card at the end of this post for the exact measurements.

Recipe Steps

ingredients for instant pot cranberry sauce in an instant pot.

Step One

Combine the cranberries, orange juice, and maple syrup in the base of a 6-quart electric pressure cooker.

If you want to be extra, you can also zest the orange before you juice it. Add the orange zest to the pot as well.

Step Two

Set the cooking time to 4 minutes on high pressure and then let the pressure come down naturally (natural release) for 10 minutes.

Carefully use the quick release pressure release to get rid of any remaining pressure, and then remove the lid.

cooked cranberry relish in an instant pot pressure cooker.

Step Three

Transfer the cooked cranberry sauce to a serving dish, and serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled.

This Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce recipe is perfect for your holiday menu. I hope your family enjoys this cranberry recipe as much as mine does!

Recipe Benefits

  • Cranberry sauce is not just for Thanksgiving dinner, it can be served with any lean protein as a side dish or topping.
  • Whether you want to save space on your stovetop or you just want a hands-off method while you prepare your holiday meal, I think you’re going to love this easy recipe.
  • Skip the cups of refined sugar and use this recipe with pure maple syrup instead. it’s perfect for your healthy Thanksgiving table.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use fresh cranberries instead of frozen?

Yes, I have tried it both ways. But, you are less likely to get foam when you use frozen cranberries. Do not use dried cranberries for this recipe as it will not work.

Will the relish thicken as it cools?

Yes, it does! I like to make mine the day before I want to use it, and let it cool and thicken overnight in the fridge. You do not need to add any extra thickeners to this recipe, it will thicken naturally.

I thought you weren’t supposed to cook cranberries in the Instant Pot because of foam?

In my experimentation, there is a lot less foam when you use frozen cranberries. I did have foam and sputtering when I tested this using fresh cranberries, so my recommendation is to use frozen cranberries.

Can I use white sugar or brown sugar in this recipe?

I recommend using maple syrup because the liquid sweetener helps add to the minimum amount of liquid you will need to get the pot to pressure. Plus, maple syrup is less refined than brown or white sugar so it’s considered more of a natural sweetener.

Is cranberry sauce sweet or savory?

Cranberries are naturally very tart and so it’s necessary to add some sweetness to make them tolerable and palatable. That said, cranberry sauce is meant to be sweet enough to serve as a condiment or side dish with savory dishes; it is not meant to be served as a dessert or on its own.

Make Ahead & Serving Tips for Thanksgiving

One of the best parts about this Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce is how easy it is to prepare ahead of the big day. You can make it up to a week in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator or even the freezer. The flavor actually improves as it sits. The tart cranberries mellow and the sauce thickens beautifully overnight.

If you freeze this recipe, be sure to let it thaw in the refrigerator at least 48 hours before the big day.

On Thanksgiving Day, you can serve it cold, at room temperature, or gently warmed on the stove or in the microwave. If you prefer a smoother texture, give it a quick stir before serving. This recipe also travels well, making it perfect for potlucks or family gatherings.

I hope you make this recipe! If you do, please leave a comment and a starred review below.

And, consider following me on social media so we can stay connected. I’m on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube!

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cooked instant pot cranberry sauce ready to eat.

Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce Recipe

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4.9 from 13 reviews

Print Recipe

This Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce recipe is made with three simple ingredients. It’s a delicious and wholesome side dish. Make this easy recipe for your holiday table.

  • Total Time: 29 minutes
  • Yield: 10 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 10–ounce bag frozen cranberries
  • 1/3 cup freshly-squeezed orange juice (from about 1 large orange)
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup

Instructions

  1. Combine the cranberries, orange juice, and maple syrup in the base of a 6-quart pressure cooker.
  2. Set the time to high pressure for 4 minutes.
  3. Then, when the cooking time is up, let the pressure come down naturally for 10 minutes and then use the quick-release to release any remaining pressure.
  4. Carefully remove the lid and transfer the sauce to a serving bowl.

Notes

  1. If you want a stronger orange flavor, zest the orange before you use it and add the zest to the pot with the other ingredients.
  2. If you don’t have orange juice, you can also use apple juice.
  3. You can make this recipe in a slow cooker as well. Cook the ingredients on high for 4-6 hours.
  4. If you want a smoother texture, you can use a potato masher or an immersion blender to reach the desired consistency.
  5. Serve hot or cold. The cranberry sauce will thicken in the refrigerator.
  6. Refrigerate any leftovers for up to a week.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/10 of recipe
  • Calories: 132
  • Sugar: 30.8 g
  • Sodium: 3.4 mg
  • Fat: 0.3 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34.9 g
  • Fiber: 1.5 g
  • Protein: 0.1 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

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About the Author: Carrie Forrest is the author of the best-selling Instant Pot-authorized cookbook, The Healthy Meal Prep Instant Pot Cookbook. She has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition and receives over 5 million annual visitors to her site. Send Carrie a message through her contact form.

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