Name: Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 16 oz cranberries (fresh or frozen); 1 cup sugar (you can also use honey, maple syrup, Splenda or Erythritol); 1/2 cup water

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Bright, tangy, and sweet, this Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce is a holiday essential! It’s made with simple ingredients and ready in just 10 minutes, giving you delicious, fresh cranberry sauce without the hassle. Whether you’re making it for Thanksgiving or serving it as a side, you’ll love how easy and flavorful this recipe is.

This Instant Pot cranberry sauce is amazing! Homemade cranberry sauce has never been easier thanks to the Instant Pot!

Why You’ll Love Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce

Quick and Easy: This recipe only takes 10 minutes of cook time in the Instant Pot, making it the fastest way to prepare homemade cranberry sauce.
Made from Fresh Ingredients: Using fresh or frozen cranberries ensures a bright and bold flavor that’s far superior to store-bought canned versions.
Minimal Effort: The Instant Pot does all the work for you! Just dump in the ingredients and walk away – no stirring or watching the pot is required.
Perfect for Meal Prep: You can make this cranberry sauce ahead of time, refrigerate it for up to a week, or freeze it for up to 3 months, making it perfect for busy holiday preparations.
Customizable Sweetness: You can easily adjust the sweetness by using honey, maple syrup, or your favorite sugar substitute, allowing you to tailor the sauce to your taste.

Look at this bright red cranberry sauce! Made from scratch from fresh cranberries, it is truly mouthwatering!

You will want to stick your spoon in the Instant Pot and eat up this cranberry sauce before it even gets a chance to cool down! Who can resist this sweet and sour goodness? Homemade cranberry sauce tastes so fresh and intense, once you try it, you’ll never want to eat the cranberry sauce from the can!

Best of all, homemade cranberry sauce is so easy to make with the Instant Pot, there is no excuse to have the canned stuff around. With the Instant Pot, you don’t need to “babysit” the pot – just dump in your cranberries and walk away, it will make cranberry sauce for you! No Instant Pot? Learn more about it here. I also have a recipe for a stovetop cranberry sauce (no Instant Pot needed for that one).

You can make this cranberry sauce ahead and keep it in a refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. I love making things ahead, especially when it comes to holidays – check out my recipes for Instant Pot make-ahead gravy and make-ahead mashed potatoes!

Classic cranberry sauce recipe is using sugar as a sweetener, but you can use honey or maple syrup instead. You can even use artificial sweetener like Splenda or Erythritol for a low-carb version. Just follow the directions on a printable recipe card on the bottom of this article with a sweetener of your choice. ( I also have a 2-ingredient cranberry orange sauce recipe you might be interested in).

Making Instant Pot cranberry sauce is really easy. All you need is a bag of fresh or frozen cranberries, sugar and water. Put these 3 ingredients in the Instant Pot and pressure cook on “High” for 5 minutes, then quick release (QR) the steam and cook on Saute for another 5 minutes. Your homemade cranberry sauce is ready!

Ingredients For Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce

Cranberries (16 oz) – You can use fresh or frozen cranberries for this recipe. Cranberries bring a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness to the sauce.
Sugar (1 cup) – The classic sweetener that balances the tartness of the cranberries. You can substitute it with honey, maple syrup, or a low-carb sweetener like erythritol or Splenda.
Water (1/2 cup) – Helps create the right consistency while cooking the cranberries in the Instant Pot.

Kitchen Tools You Need To Make Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce

Instant Pot – The star appliance of the recipe, it makes cooking cranberry sauce a breeze.
Measuring Cups – Essential for measuring the cranberries, sugar, and water.
Measuring Spoons – To ensure precise amounts of any additional sweeteners or flavorings.
Spoon – For stirring and mixing the cranberry sauce once it’s done.

How To Make Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce

Start by adding the cranberries, sugar, and water into the Instant Pot.
Close the lid and ensure the valve is set to the Sealing position.
Select the “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” button and set the timer to 5 minutes on High Pressure.
Once the cooking is done, quick release the steam by turning the valve to the venting position.
Open the lid and stir the cranberry sauce with a spoon.
For a thicker consistency, press the “Sauté” button and cook the sauce for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Once the sauce reaches your desired thickness, transfer it to a serving dish and let it cool before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this Instant Pot cranberry sauce alongside your Thanksgiving turkey for a classic pairing.
Use it as a spread on sandwiches, especially bagel deli turkey or chicken sandwiches, for a burst of flavor.
Add a dollop to your yogurt or oatmeal for a tangy-sweet breakfast treat.
Pair it with cheeses on a fruit platter for a delicious and colorful addition.
Top pancakes, waffles, or French toast with this sauce for a holiday-inspired breakfast.

Tips For Success

Use Fresh or Frozen Cranberries: Both fresh and frozen cranberries work well for this recipe. If you’re using frozen cranberries, there’s no need to thaw them beforehand—just add them straight to the Instant Pot.
Adjust Sweetness to Taste: You can easily adjust the sweetness of the cranberry sauce by adding more or less sugar depending on your preference. You can also swap out sugar for honey, maple syrup, or a sugar substitute to suit your dietary needs.
Thicken the Sauce if Needed: After pressure cooking, if you prefer a thicker cranberry sauce, use the “Sauté” function to simmer the sauce for a few more minutes, stirring regularly until it reaches your desired consistency.
Store and Freeze for Later: This cranberry sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. If you want to prepare it even earlier, it freezes well for up to 3 months. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight before serving.
Spice it Up: For a twist on traditional cranberry sauce, add a pinch of cinnamon, orange zest, or vanilla extract to the mix while cooking for added depth of flavor.

Variations and Substitutions

Orange-Infused Cranberry Sauce: Add the zest of one orange and substitute the water with orange juice for a citrusy twist. This adds a refreshing brightness to the sauce, making it even more festive.
Low-Sugar Version: For a healthier, low-sugar option, use a sugar substitute like erythritol or Splenda instead of regular sugar. You can also reduce the sugar amount to suit your taste, as cranberries naturally have a tangy flavor.
Maple Syrup or Honey Substitute: Instead of using sugar, try sweetening the sauce with maple syrup or honey for a more natural, rich sweetness. Both options pair wonderfully with cranberries and add a unique depth to the sauce.
Spiced Cranberry Sauce: For a warming, spiced variation, add a pinch of cinnamon, ground cloves, or nutmeg during cooking. This creates a cozy, holiday-inspired flavor perfect for cold weather meals.
Nutty Cranberry Sauce: After the cranberry sauce has finished cooking, stir in a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts for added texture and a nutty crunch. It adds an unexpected element that pairs nicely with roasted meats.

Storage and Reheating

Storage: Once the cranberry sauce has cooled, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. This makes it perfect for preparing ahead of holiday meals.
Freezing: Cranberry sauce freezes well, so if you want to make it ahead of time, store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to use it, thaw the sauce overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheating: If you prefer your cranberry sauce warm, simply reheat it in a small saucepan over low heat until warmed through. Alternatively, you can microwave it for about 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen cranberries for this recipe?

Yes, frozen cranberries work just as well as fresh ones for this recipe. You don’t need to thaw them; simply add the frozen cranberries directly to the Instant Pot and follow the recipe as written.

Can I reduce the sugar in this cranberry sauce?

Absolutely! You can adjust the sweetness to suit your taste. If you prefer a less sweet cranberry sauce, you can reduce the amount of sugar or substitute it with a natural sweetener like honey, maple syrup, or a sugar substitute like erythritol.

How do I thicken my cranberry sauce?

If your cranberry sauce is too thin for your liking after pressure cooking, you can use the “Sauté” function on your Instant Pot to simmer it for a few extra minutes. Stir the sauce occasionally until it thickens to your desired consistency.

How long can I store homemade cranberry sauce?

Homemade cranberry sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. It also freezes well for up to 3 months, so you can make it ahead of time and thaw it when needed.

Can I add other flavors to my cranberry sauce?

Yes, cranberry sauce is very versatile, and you can enhance its flavor by adding orange zest, cinnamon, vanilla, or other spices. You can also substitute the water with orange juice for a citrus twist, or mix in chopped nuts after cooking for added texture.

If you like Instant Pot cranberry sauce, you will also love these easy Instant Pot recipes:

Instant Pot Turkey Breast – so perfectly cooked, tender and moist! This is the easiest way of cooking turkey breast ever!
Instant Pot Cornbread – this cornbread is so golden and fluffy! Bake this cornbread right in your Instant Pot!
Instant Pot Pumpkin Cheesecake – Instant Pot is a foolproof method of making cheesecakes, they always look so good (never crack) and taste amazing!
Instant Pot Pumpkin Pie – this pumpkin pie is so smooth and flavorful! This is the only way I make pumpkin pie these days!
Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes – truly effortless to make and so perfect!

Looking for more recipes to make with cranberries? Check out my cranberry recipes collection.

Can’t get enough of my Instant Pot recipes? Click here to browse all Instant Pot recipes >>

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