Festive and made from scratch, Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce lets you make the Thanksgiving classic recipe easily in your pressure cooker. Free up a stovetop burner and let your Instant Pot do the work. Cranberry sauce can be made in advance to save time the day of.

cranberry sauce with orange and rosemary in bowl

Sweet, tangy, simple to make, and make ahead friendly. Delicious with the big Thanksgiving meal or on leftover turkey sandwiches after the holiday.

Ingredients You'll Need for Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce:

Fresh Cranberries - frozen cranberries can also be used
Sugar
Brown Sugar - you can use all white sugar but I love the flavor combo of using both white and brown sugar
Orange Juice - You can swap in water, but the oj adds great flavor
Cinnamon Stick
Ground Cloves

How To Make Cranberry Sauce in the Instant Pot:

Making cranberry sauce in the instant pot is so EASY!

Prep - Rinse the cranberries and gather the other ingredients.
Add to Instant Pot - Add the cranberries and all ingredients to the Instant Pot.
Pressure cook - Cook the cranberries on manual high pressure then natural release the pressure (let it sit) for about 10 minutes before quick releasing the pressure.
Serve - I like to let the cranberry sauce cool down to closer to room temperature before serving. The sauce will thicken as it cools. It can be served at room temperature or chilled from the fridge. If making in advance, cool it down to room temperature before storing in the fridge or freezer.

cranberries, sugar, and cinnamon stick in instant pot

Better than the Recipe on the Bag!

This cranberry sauce recipe is an upgraded version! Instead of water, we use orange juice for some citrus flavor. Adding a cinnamon stick and cloves brings some warmness to balance out the tang. Swapping in half brown sugar helps balance the tartness from the cranberries.

Serving Ideas

Cranberry sauce is a classic side dish for Thanksgiving or other holiday meal. Serve alongside your Thanksgiving turkey or ham, and mashed potatoes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you serve cranberry sauce hot or cold?

Cranberry sauce can be served at room temperature or chilled from the fridge. It is typically not served hot as it thickens when it cools.

What do you eat cranberry sauce with?

Cranberry sauce is a popular topping to poultry like a Thanksgiving turkey or even chicken (I love having it with Cornish hens). Some people also love piling it on top of their mashed potatoes or stuffing. We love to make sandwiches after Thanksgiving with the leftover turkey and smear some of the cranberry sauce on the bread.

Will my cranberry sauce thicken?

Yes! The Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce thickens as it cools.

close up of cranberries and other ingredients

Leftovers, Storage, and Freezing

Leftovers and Storage - Leftover cranberry sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezing - Cranberry sauce can be frozen in airtight containers or in freezer bags with the air pressed out for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before serving.

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