Homemade Cranberry Sauce

This homemade cranberry sauce is the perfect addition to your holiday meals. We love a good cranberry sauce. For holiday meals, it feels like we are juggling what stove and oven space. That’s why we have this recipe available in both Instant Pot and stovetop versions.

So, whether you’re making it for the first time or a seasoned pro, this Instant Pot cranberry sauce is a holiday essential that will undoubtedly become your favorite thing on the holiday menu. Enjoy, and may your holiday season be filled with the warm, comforting flavors of this cranberry sauce.

Recipe Ingredient Notes

To make this homemade cranberry sauce, you will need the following ingredients:

• Fresh cranberries
• 100% Orange Juice
• Sugar
• Cinnamon
• Pure maple syrup

Equipment Needed

We use a Instant Pot LUX 6 Quart 6-in-1 Programmable Pressure Cooker. It is basically seven appliances in one. You can use it as a pressure cooker, rice cooker, slow cooker, saute, steamer, cake maker, and warmer.

For this recipe, you only need a few simple kitchen tools. We recommend using the following equipment:

• Instant Pot
• Saucepan (Medium)
• Airtight Container
• Spatula
• Whisk

How to Make Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Instant Pot Instructions

1. Add all the ingredients to the inside of the Instant Pot and mix together.
2. Place the lid on top and lock into place. Turn the valve to SEALING. Select MANUAL (or Pressure Cook). Set the time for 7 minutes.
3. When cooking ends, do a NATURAL RELEASE of the pressure (will take 10-15 minutes).
4. Remove the lid.
5. Spoon the sauce into a bowl and chill until ready to serve. The sauce will continue to thicken up as it cools.

Stovetop Instructions

1. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar and orange juice and whisk together until sugar is dissolved.  
2. Stir in cranberries and cook for about 10 minutes, or until they begin to pop. 
3. Remove from heat and transfer to a bowl.  
4. Sauce will thicken as it cools.

Recipe Notes

Cranberries themselves are naturally bitter. By adding in the maple syrup and sugar this recipe is able to counter act the bitterness of the cranberries, making it the perfect topping for your turkey.

Since this is such an easy Instant Pot recipe, you might just have time to make your own orange juice for this recipe. If you have not made your own before, take a look at this fresh orange juice recipe and simply swap your homemade orange juice with store bought juice.

Storage Suggestions

As it stands, this cranberry sauce will thicken. Do not refrigerate or freeze until sauce has completely cooled.

• In the Refrigerator: Place room temperature cranberry sauce in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
• In the Freezer: Place room temperature cranberry sauce in an airtight container or ziplock bag. Write the recipe name and date on the container, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. To thaw, place in the refrigerator overnight. To warm your cranberry sauce, heat on a stovetop over medium heat until it’s your preferred consistency.

Enjoy More Delicious Thanksgiving Recipes

Looking for more delicious side dishes for your Thanksgiving meal, we have got you covered. Check out our comprehensive collection of Thanksgiving recipes here.

• Easy Homemade Rolls
• How To Make Turkey Gravy from Scratch
• Parker House Rolls
• Thanksgiving Turkey Vegetable Tray Recipe and Homemade Ranch Dip

Instant Pot Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Whether using the Instant Pot or stovetop, make our homemade cranberry sauce with fresh cranberries, orange juice, cinnamon and maple syrup.

ServingServing: 12 servings

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 7 minutes minutes

Natural Release 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 22 minutes minutes

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Ingredients

• ▢ 16 ounces fresh cranberries
• ▢ 1 cup 100% orange juice
• ▢ ½ cup sugar
• ▢ 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ▢ zest from 1 orange
• ▢ 2 Tablespoons pure maple syrup

Equipment

• Instant Pot
• Saucepan (Medium)
• Airtight Container
• Spatula
• Whisk

Instructions

Instant Pot Instructions

1. Add all the ingredients to the inside of the Instant Pot and mix together.
2. Place the lid on top and lock into place. Turn the valve to SEALING. Select MANUAL (or Pressure Cook). Set the time for 7 minutes.
3. When cooking ends, do a NATURAL RELEASE of the pressure (will take 10-15 minutes).
4. Remove the lid.
5. Spoon the sauce into a bowl and chill until ready to serve. The sauce will continue to thicken up as it cools.

Stovetop Instructions

1. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar and orange juice and whisk together until sugar is dissolved.  
2. Stir in cranberries and cook for about 10 minutes, or until they begin to pop. 
3. Remove from heat and transfer to a bowl.  
4. Sauce will thicken as it cools.

Notes

• As the sauce cools down, it will thicken. If your sauce still has a lot of liquid when you are putting it in the container, do not worry.
• Make this recipe the day before, and store in the refrigerator until ready to eat.
• Cranberries are naturally bitter. By adding in the maple syrup and sugar this recipe is able to counteract the bitterness of the cranberries. 

Nutrition

Calories: 68 kcal · Carbohydrates: 17 g · Protein: 1 g · Fat: 1 g · Saturated Fat: 1 g · Sodium: 1 mg · Potassium: 81 mg · Fiber: 2 g · Sugar: 14 g · Vitamin A: 64 IU · Vitamin C: 15 mg · Calcium: 11 mg · Iron: 1 mg

Cuisine: American

Cost: $8

Author: Steph Loaiza

Course: Dips, Dressings, Sauces, and Seasonings

Did You Make This Recipe?We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a review or a question in the comment section below the post.