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    Home ยป Diet ยป Dairy Free ยป Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce

    Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce

    Published: Nov 13, 2019 ยท Modified: Dec 21, 2021 by Monica Stevens Le ยท 5 Comments

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    cranberry sauce in a white bowl with a silver spoon
    Instant Pot cranberry sauce in a white bowl with a spoon
    Instant Pot cranberry sauce in a bowl with a silver spoon

    This Instant Pot cranberry sauce recipe is going to be your holy grail during Thanksgiving. It takes just 2 minutes to cook in the pressure cooker, and is full of vibrant flavor from the fresh orange zest, juice, and cinnamon sticks. It is sweetened with pure maple syrup and is refined sugar free.

    cranberry sauce in a white bowl with a spoon inside

    You are going to LOVE this Instant Pot cranberry sauce because:

    • You absolutely cannot tell it's not made with traditional sugar.
    • Very quick and easy to make.
    • It's both fabulously tangy and sweet at the same time.
    • Great for all of the holidays, not just Thanksgiving!
    • It's very affordable to make with these ingredients.

    I am so excited I finally have some Thanksgiving inspired recipes to serve at my table this year. I haven't gotten the courage to cook a turkey yet, but to be fair, our families don't love turkey.

    I'd rather serve up a big hunk of ham or make a fabulous chicken dish. Until family members begin to complain about this, I will stick to my guns.

    I know this year, I'll be serving up Instant Pot cranberry sauce alongside my Creamy Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Butternut Squash.

    Oh, and dessert? Obviously it's going to have to be Paleo Pumpkin Pie.

    fresh cranberries in a white ceramic bowl

    This cranberry sauce is so quick and easy to whip up, you are going to seriously be shocked.

    I don't think I can even stand the thought of store bought cranberry sauce anymore now that I know just how approachable this is.

    If you are heading to Thanksgiving or another holiday meal at someone else's house, definitely bring this with you.

    It's a show stopper, and I cannot wait for you to shock them when you answer the question: "Where did you get this?"

    ingredients to make cranberry sauce laid out on a white board

    How to make Instant Pot cranberry sauce

    Add cranberries, orange zest, orange juice, maple syrup, and salt to the Instant Pot. Stir to combine and drop in the cinnamon sticks.

    Close lid and make sure valve is in the "Sealing" position. I like to cover it with a kitchen towel. Hit "Manual" and make sure it is set to "High Pressure." Set timer to 2 minutes. It will take about 10 minutes for the pressure to build up, and steam will be released from the lid. You will see the time display after this occurs.

    Once time is up, let pressure release naturally for 5 minutes. Very carefully (using that kitchen towel) move the valve to "Venting" and let the rest of the pressure release. Once the floating valve drops down completely, carefully open the lid. Hit "Keep Warm/Cancel."

    Press "Sauté" button and using a wooden spoon, stir cranberry sauce for 2-3 minutes until it begins to slowly thicken up and bubble. Press "Keep Warm/Cancel" again and continue stirring for 2 more minutes. Discard cinnamon sticks.

    Carefully transfer cranberry sauce to a serving dish or to an airtight container. If you are going to store it in the refrigerator, wait for it to come to room temperature before you put it in the refrigerator. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks and in the freezer for up to 6 weeks.

    cranberries, spices and orange zest in a mixing bowl

    Tips for Instant Pot cranberry sauce

    How long will this last?

    You can store cranberry sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 6 weeks.

    What if I want it to be a thinner consistency or smoother?

    Feel free to use an immersion blender to blend it up. You can also add in water on medium heat to adjust the thickness.

    Can I make this in a slow cooker?

    Absolutely. In fact, this is another great recipe for Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce.

    Cranberry sauce recipe notes

    • This will make about 2 1/4 cups of cranberry sauce.
    • You can use granulated white sugar instead of maple syrup. I'd recommend starting with 1/2 cup and tasting for additional sweetener after it's done cooking.
    • If you'd like to use ground cinnamon instead of cinnamon sticks, add 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
    • You can double the recipe. Make sure you naturally release pressure for at least 10 minutes though.
    cranberry sauce in a white bowl with a spoon inside and some being scooped

    What can you use this cranberry sauce for?

    Aside from the traditional application of cranberry sauce (aka serving it alongside a roasted turkey), there are many other ways cranberry sauce can be enjoyed.

    Some of my favorite things to serve Instant Pot cranberry sauce with:

    • On top of a bowl of yogurt or ice cream.
    • Roasted veggies pair well with it!
    • It can be used as a glaze for meat and poultry.
    • Spread on top of toasted bread or crackers, like a jam.
    • Flavor enhancer: mix it in to your favorite smoothies, oatmeal, etc.

    I cannot wait for you to try this recipe, and I am so excited over how little time it will take you to prepare.

    Your family and friends are going to be so impressed you took the extra step to make your own cranberry sauce this year. They won't believe you when you tell them it took 2 minutes to cook.

    That's okay. You don't need to tell them that it was made in the pressure cooker. ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Instant Pot cranberry sauce in a white bowl with a spoon inside

    More Thanksgiving recipes for your table:

    Creamy Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Butternut Squash

    Roasted Delicata Squash Salad

    Paleo Pumpkin Pie

    Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

    Paleo Sweet Potato Au Gratin

    Instant Pot cranberry sauce in a white bowl with a spoon inside

    Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce

    This Instant Pot cranberry sauce recipe is going to be your holy grail during Thanksgiving. It takes just 2 minutes to cook in the pressure cooker, and is full of vibrant flavor from the fresh orange zest, juice, and cinnamon sticks. It is sweetened with pure maple syrup and is refined sugar free.
    4.89 from 9 votes
    Tried this recipe?Mention @themovementmenu or tag #movementmenu!
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    Servings 16
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: cranberry sauce recipe, healthy cranberry sauce, Instant pot Thanksgiving side
    Cook Time: 17 minutes
    Total Time: 17 minutes
    Servings: 16
    Calories: 56kcal
    Author: Monica Stevens Le

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound fresh cranberries rinsed in cold water and drained
    • 1 1/2 tablespoons orange zest
    • 2/3 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
    • 2/3 cup pure maple syrup
    • pinch of kosher salt
    • 2 cinnamon sticks

    Instructions

    • Add cranberries, orange zest, orange juice, maple syrup, and salt to the Instant Pot. Stir to combine and drop in the cinnamon sticks.
    • Close the lid and make sure the valve is in the "Sealing" position. I like to cover it with a kitchen towel. Hit "Manual" and make sure it is set to "High Pressure." Set timer to 2 minutes. It will take about 10 minutes for the pressure to build up, and steam will be released from the lid. You will see the time display after this occurs.
    • Once the time is up, let pressure release naturally for 5 minutes. Very carefully (using that kitchen towel) move the valve to "Venting" and let the rest of the pressure release. Once the floating valve drops down completely, carefully open the lid. Hit "Keep Warm/Cancel."
    • Press "Sauté" button and using a wooden spoon, stir cranberry sauce for 2-3 minutes until it begins to slowly thicken up and bubble. Press "Keep Warm/Cancel" again and continue stirring for 2 more minutes. Discard cinnamon sticks.
    • Carefully transfer cranberry sauce to a serving dish or to an airtight container. If you are going to store it in the refrigerator, wait for it to come to room temperature before you put it in the refrigerator. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks and in the freezer for up to 6 weeks.

    Notes

    • This will make about 2 1/4 cups of cranberry sauce.
    • You can store cranberry sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 6 weeks.
    • You can use granulated white sugar instead of maple syrup. I'd recommend starting with 1/2 cup and tasting for additional sweetener after it's done cooking.
    • If you'd like to use ground cinnamon instead of cinnamon sticks, add 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
    • You can double the recipe. Make sure you naturally release pressure for at least 10 minutes though.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 56kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 75mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g | Calcium: 23mg
    Monica Stevens Le
    Monica Stevens Le

    Hi! I’m Monica – recipe developer, matcha addict and lover of all things chocolate, kombucha and any & all puns. I am also the blogger, real food lover, & bonafide hustler behind the blog ‘The Movement Menu.’ I’m so excited to welcome you to my happy space, where my appreciation of creative recipes and healthy & mindful eats come together to inspire you to live a healthy, balanced life.

    Related Posts

    « Creamy Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash
    Roasted Delicata Squash Salad »

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    Comments

    1. Caroline says

      November 27, 2019 at 11:45 am

      This is the best cranberry sauce! The spices elevate a holiday staple to a new level and ANY recipe that involves the instant pot rather than the stove for Thanksgiving is a major plus!5 stars

      Reply
      • Megan says

        November 28, 2019 at 10:10 am

        Delicious!5 stars

        Reply
    2. Sandy says

      November 25, 2019 at 11:33 am

      This recipe is delicious! It was so easy and so tasty! Another plus is that the house smells amazing after making it!5 stars

      Reply
    3. Abbey says

      November 20, 2019 at 10:58 am

      Gorgeous! The perfect addition to any Thanksgiving feast!5 stars

      Reply

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    Monica

    Hi! Iโ€™m Monica!

    I am a recipe developer, matcha addict and lover of all things delicious, green and any & all puns. I am also the blogger, real food cook, & bonafide hustler behind the scenes. Read Moreโ€ฆ

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