5 stars (14 ratings)
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Perfect homemade 4 min cranberry sauce recipe, made from scratch! Use frozen or fresh cranberries. Quick, simple, easy, and so good.
Remember the Friends episode where everyone is late to Thanksgiving? Monica is tricked into cooking the entire Thanksgiving meal (a Thanksgiving she didn’t want to host) and Chandler just wants to help out in the sweetest way possible.
Chandler: I’m serious, let me do something, just not the turkey or the stuffing, nothing “high profile”.
Monica: Ok, let’s see… Oh, the cranberry sauce, it is easy to make and no-one really cares about it.
That’s basically all I think about when it comes to cranberry sauce. It really is super easy and some people do care about it, especially on those leftover Thanksgiving sammies.
Yes, I absolutely have an epic leftover Thanksgiving slider recipe coming oh-so-soon. Stay tuned!
But back to the easy cranberry sauce. All it needs is 4 min in the IP and naturally released for 20-30 minutes.
The consistency is just perfect, the sauce is sweet and tangy, and it can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days. Make-ahead, quick, simple. Now that’s one thing you can cross off your list for Thanksgiving already!
Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce
Yield: 3 cups
Prep: 45 minutes minutes
Cook: 5 minutes minutes
Total: 50 minutes minutes
Perfect homemade 4 min cranberry sauce made from scratch! Use frozen or fresh cranberries. Quick, simple, easy, and so good.
5 stars (14 ratings)
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Ingredients
- 2 (12-ounce) packages fresh or frozen cranberries
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 3-inch strips of orange zest
- 1 3-inch cinnamon stick
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Place cranberries, sugars, orange juice, orange zest, cinnamon and cloves into a 6-qt Instant Pot®. Stir until well combined.
Select manual setting; adjust pressure to high, and set time for 4 minutes. When finished cooking, naturally release pressure according to manufacturer’s directions, about 20-30 minutes.
Remove orange zest and cinnamon. Using a wooden spoon, mash cranberry mixture until desired consistency is reached; stir in vanilla.
Let cool completely.
Notes
*For those without an Instant Pot®, this stovetop version is also a favorite of mine and one I have been using since 2013!
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @damn_delicious on Instagram and hashtag it #damndelicious!
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posted on November 19, 2019under christmas, instant pot, side dish, thanksgiving
30 CommentsLeave a Comment »
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30 comments -
Lisa — December 23, 2021 @ 5:36 AM Reply
This recipe is super easy and absolutely delicious! It’s not too tart, but also not overly sweet! Thank you!!!
-
Mary — November 25, 2021 @ 11:04 AM Reply
Heaven in a bowl . Followed recipe as written…it’s going into fridge for this Sunday’s feast.
-
Krystyna — November 24, 2021 @ 2:22 PM Reply
Followed this recipe, with a few tweaks. Delicious!
-
Ashley — November 23, 2021 @ 11:49 AM Reply
If I don’t have an instant pot, how long would I cook it for on the stove top?
-
Ray Brown — December 24, 2020 @ 6:51 PM Reply
Have used this recipe several times. I use trivia in place of the sugar and brown sugar, it is excellent.
-
Christie Todd — November 27, 2020 @ 9:35 PM Reply
I didn’t think I liked cranberry sauce until last Thanksgiving when I picked a pint up at a local specialty market. This year I decided they it myself, and this was the recipe I landed on. It was serendipity! If it’s not identical, its darn close. So easy, and so, so good
-
Marie — November 24, 2020 @ 6:11 PM Reply
I don’t have cinnamon sticks. Can I substitute ground cinnamon instead, and how much?
-
Maela — November 24, 2020 @ 9:48 AM Reply
The best, the best, the BEST cranberry sauce I have ever had or certainly ever made myself. Made this last year and it’s kind of all I have been thinking about this week as I prep for Thursday! It’s yummy with the meal of course, then on leftovers, then on yogurt for breakfast every day….yum yum YUM! Thank you for ending my search for the perfect cranberry sauce!
-
Me — October 10, 2020 @ 7:17 PM Reply
How would you adjust for an 8qt Instant Pot?
-
Bern — April 11, 2020 @ 10:00 AM Reply
As we’re all social distancing During Covid-19, our grocery stores are short on certain products like fresh cranberries. I found 2 bags of frozen, a bit shrivelled, cranberries in my freezer! I reconstituted them in hot water and tried this recipe. I added a splash or two of Grande Marnier to the orange juice and skipped the vanilla. The results are delicious! A bit sweet, a bit tangy with an extra punch of orange juiciness from the liqueur. A keeper of a recipe!
-
diana — December 18, 2019 @ 12:46 PM Reply
This recipe is the Greatest !! so easy and yummy… never buying store bought again !!!
-
Heather — December 15, 2019 @ 12:24 PM Reply
Made this for Thanksgiving and those of us that liked cranberry really enjoyed this version. But then we had leftovers and I thought, “This would probably be very good in yogurt!” OMG! This is now my favorite thing to add to my yogurt with a little granola, sooooo good! I’ve made it post Thanksgiving and as long as I can find cranberries I’ll keep making it (I do halve the recipe though).
-
Jana @ Damn Delicious — December 15, 2019 @ 1:56 PM Reply
What a great idea! Thanks for sharing, Heather!
-
Tricia Morris — November 27, 2019 @ 2:41 PM Reply
I made this exactly as directed, but also forgot to withhold the vanilla until after cooking. The sauce was absolutely delicious! Tart, sweet, and a lovely addition to our family’s Thanksgiving meal. Thank you for this fabulous recipe! (Your recipes include many of my all-time favorites.)
-
Mary — November 27, 2019 @ 11:14 AM Reply
I always try recipes out ahead of time but you have never let me down so I just made this for tomorrow’s Thanksgiving. It’s PERFETION! Thank you (again!) for such an easy, yet impressive side dish.
-
Jana @ Damn Delicious — November 27, 2019 @ 11:24 AM Reply
Amazing! Happy Thanksgiving, Mary! 🙂
-
Crescentia — November 27, 2019 @ 7:29 AM Reply
I only have 12 oz of fresh cranberries. I can cut the ingredients in half. Would the cooking time be the same?
-
Olga — November 28, 2019 @ 1:26 PM Reply
Yes, same cooking time
-
Lenore — November 26, 2019 @ 7:26 PM Reply
Hi Chungah, this is a really nice recipe, and it turned out well. This is my new cranberry sauce recipe to use now. I like that the cinnamon and orange are not overdone, and it’s not too sweet.
I was so excited about adding vanilla (because I never had before) that I added it in with all the other ingredients instead of at the end. Did I alter the flavor any by doing this? I’m still finding my way around the science of pressure cooking! Thanks-Lenore
-
Kyley — November 24, 2019 @ 2:28 PM Reply
Berry sauces are exclusively for foodies IMHO. Few people in my circle like them.
-
Ursula — November 24, 2019 @ 11:04 AM Reply
I accidentally added the vanilla before cooking! Is this going to make a big difference??
Can’t wait to try the final result!
-
Susan G Schroering — November 24, 2019 @ 6:46 AM Reply
Could apples or oranges or pears be added to this without changing the amounts of the other ingredients?
-
Chungah @ Damn Delicious — November 24, 2019 @ 7:45 AM Reply
Sure!
-
Sally Baker — November 22, 2019 @ 3:42 AM Reply
I love cranberry sauce, but then I’ve always loved fruity sauces with meat. Nice IP recipe, thanks.
-
Danna — November 21, 2019 @ 11:44 AM Reply
Question: I am highly allergic to citrus. Can you recommend another liquid other than water
-
Chungah @ Damn Delicious — November 21, 2019 @ 1:30 PM Reply
Danna, water may actually be the best substitute here but as always, please use your best judgment when making substitutions and modifications. 🙂
-
Gail Kapusnick — November 27, 2019 @ 5:41 PM Reply
I was thinking Apple cider might be just the ticket.
-
Bec — November 21, 2019 @ 2:19 AM Reply
4 minute cranberry sauce – this will be so useful – thank you!
-
Pam Miller — November 20, 2019 @ 11:27 AM Reply
Just what I was looking for. Perfect blend of ingredients – not too sweet nor too tart. Thank you, Chungah. Your recipes are wonderful and you’ve come through for me yet again.
-
Jennifer Bradshaw — November 20, 2019 @ 10:01 AM Reply
Definitely trying this! Can’t wait for the slider recipe too…
Lisa — December 23, 2021 @ 5:36 AM Reply
This recipe is super easy and absolutely delicious! It’s not too tart, but also not overly sweet! Thank you!!!
Mary — November 25, 2021 @ 11:04 AM Reply
Heaven in a bowl . Followed recipe as written…it’s going into fridge for this Sunday’s feast.
Krystyna — November 24, 2021 @ 2:22 PM Reply
Followed this recipe, with a few tweaks. Delicious!
Ashley — November 23, 2021 @ 11:49 AM Reply
If I don’t have an instant pot, how long would I cook it for on the stove top?
Ray Brown — December 24, 2020 @ 6:51 PM Reply
Have used this recipe several times. I use trivia in place of the sugar and brown sugar, it is excellent.
Christie Todd — November 27, 2020 @ 9:35 PM Reply
I didn’t think I liked cranberry sauce until last Thanksgiving when I picked a pint up at a local specialty market. This year I decided they it myself, and this was the recipe I landed on. It was serendipity! If it’s not identical, its darn close. So easy, and so, so good
Marie — November 24, 2020 @ 6:11 PM Reply
I don’t have cinnamon sticks. Can I substitute ground cinnamon instead, and how much?
Maela — November 24, 2020 @ 9:48 AM Reply
The best, the best, the BEST cranberry sauce I have ever had or certainly ever made myself. Made this last year and it’s kind of all I have been thinking about this week as I prep for Thursday! It’s yummy with the meal of course, then on leftovers, then on yogurt for breakfast every day….yum yum YUM! Thank you for ending my search for the perfect cranberry sauce!
Me — October 10, 2020 @ 7:17 PM Reply
How would you adjust for an 8qt Instant Pot?
Bern — April 11, 2020 @ 10:00 AM Reply
As we’re all social distancing During Covid-19, our grocery stores are short on certain products like fresh cranberries. I found 2 bags of frozen, a bit shrivelled, cranberries in my freezer! I reconstituted them in hot water and tried this recipe. I added a splash or two of Grande Marnier to the orange juice and skipped the vanilla. The results are delicious! A bit sweet, a bit tangy with an extra punch of orange juiciness from the liqueur. A keeper of a recipe!
diana — December 18, 2019 @ 12:46 PM Reply
This recipe is the Greatest !! so easy and yummy… never buying store bought again !!!
Heather — December 15, 2019 @ 12:24 PM Reply
Made this for Thanksgiving and those of us that liked cranberry really enjoyed this version. But then we had leftovers and I thought, “This would probably be very good in yogurt!” OMG! This is now my favorite thing to add to my yogurt with a little granola, sooooo good! I’ve made it post Thanksgiving and as long as I can find cranberries I’ll keep making it (I do halve the recipe though).
-
Jana @ Damn Delicious — December 15, 2019 @ 1:56 PM Reply
What a great idea! Thanks for sharing, Heather!
Tricia Morris — November 27, 2019 @ 2:41 PM Reply
I made this exactly as directed, but also forgot to withhold the vanilla until after cooking. The sauce was absolutely delicious! Tart, sweet, and a lovely addition to our family’s Thanksgiving meal. Thank you for this fabulous recipe! (Your recipes include many of my all-time favorites.)
Mary — November 27, 2019 @ 11:14 AM Reply
I always try recipes out ahead of time but you have never let me down so I just made this for tomorrow’s Thanksgiving. It’s PERFETION! Thank you (again!) for such an easy, yet impressive side dish.
-
Jana @ Damn Delicious — November 27, 2019 @ 11:24 AM Reply
Amazing! Happy Thanksgiving, Mary! 🙂
Crescentia — November 27, 2019 @ 7:29 AM Reply
I only have 12 oz of fresh cranberries. I can cut the ingredients in half. Would the cooking time be the same?
-
Olga — November 28, 2019 @ 1:26 PM Reply
Yes, same cooking time
Lenore — November 26, 2019 @ 7:26 PM Reply
Hi Chungah, this is a really nice recipe, and it turned out well. This is my new cranberry sauce recipe to use now. I like that the cinnamon and orange are not overdone, and it’s not too sweet.
I was so excited about adding vanilla (because I never had before) that I added it in with all the other ingredients instead of at the end. Did I alter the flavor any by doing this? I’m still finding my way around the science of pressure cooking! Thanks-Lenore
Kyley — November 24, 2019 @ 2:28 PM Reply
Berry sauces are exclusively for foodies IMHO. Few people in my circle like them.
Ursula — November 24, 2019 @ 11:04 AM Reply
I accidentally added the vanilla before cooking! Is this going to make a big difference??
Can’t wait to try the final result!
Susan G Schroering — November 24, 2019 @ 6:46 AM Reply
Could apples or oranges or pears be added to this without changing the amounts of the other ingredients?
-
Chungah @ Damn Delicious — November 24, 2019 @ 7:45 AM Reply
Sure!
Sally Baker — November 22, 2019 @ 3:42 AM Reply
I love cranberry sauce, but then I’ve always loved fruity sauces with meat. Nice IP recipe, thanks.
Danna — November 21, 2019 @ 11:44 AM Reply
Question: I am highly allergic to citrus. Can you recommend another liquid other than water
-
Chungah @ Damn Delicious — November 21, 2019 @ 1:30 PM Reply
Danna, water may actually be the best substitute here but as always, please use your best judgment when making substitutions and modifications. 🙂
-
Gail Kapusnick — November 27, 2019 @ 5:41 PM Reply
I was thinking Apple cider might be just the ticket.
Bec — November 21, 2019 @ 2:19 AM Reply
4 minute cranberry sauce – this will be so useful – thank you!
Pam Miller — November 20, 2019 @ 11:27 AM Reply
Just what I was looking for. Perfect blend of ingredients – not too sweet nor too tart. Thank you, Chungah. Your recipes are wonderful and you’ve come through for me yet again.
Jennifer Bradshaw — November 20, 2019 @ 10:01 AM Reply
Definitely trying this! Can’t wait for the slider recipe too…
