This Easy Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce is spot-on-amazing, fresh, bright, and with just the right amount of tangy and sweet goodness. Try this easy, fuss-free cranberry sauce that cooks up in a jiffy. Stovetop instructions are also included.

Cranberry Sauce in a white serving bowl.

Easy & Quick Cranberry Sauce Highlights

I REALLY love cranberries and can’t get enough of them during the holiday season. I am so obsessed that I even stock up on fresh cranberries when they become available in late October and freeze them to eat all year long. Don’t judge me, please.

This Easy Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce flavor is spot-on-amazing, fresh, and with just the right amount of sweet and tangy goodness. It will knock your socks off!

I wanted an easy, fuss-free cranberry sauce, so I let the Instant Pot do its magic! This cranberry sauce is so easy to make and can be prepped ahead of time, which is a huge help during the busy holidays!

This cranberry sauce is always a favorite accompaniment to our favorite holiday dishes.

Cranberry Sauce over slices turkey in a plate.

Ingredients You’ll Need, Substitutions & Notes

Please check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact quantities and detailed instructions (scroll down).

  • Cranberries: Use fresh or frozen cranberries. Do not use dried. If using fresh, look for bright red cranberries that are firm to the touch.
  • Sugar: Regular white granulated sugar or caster sugar.
  • Fresh Orange: This recipe uses the juice and zest of a fresh orange.
  • Cinnamon stick: Cinnamon is optional but adds a warm, earthy flavor to the cranberry sauce. You can substitute ¼ teaspoons of ground cinnamon for the cinnamon stick.
  • Salt: I prefer kosher or sea salt. If you only have table salt handy, I recommend reducing the amount to half.
  • Orange-flavored Liqueur: I used Grand Marnier, but Triple Sec will work, too. This ingredient is optional, but it really adds an extra layer of flavor to this recipe. If available, I highly recommend adding it. If not using liquor, substitute the same amount of orange juice
  • Black pepper: For extra flavor, don’t skip it!
overhead view of Cranberry Sauce in a bowl.

Step By Step Recipe Photo Tutorial

Please check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact quantities and detailed instructions (scroll down).

  1. Combine the cranberries, sugar, orange zest, orange juice, water, cinnamon, and salt in the Instant Pot.
  2. Pressure cook for 6 minutes. When the time is over, press “Cancel” and let the Instant Pot release pressure naturally for about 10 minutes. 
  3. Then select “Sauté”. Stir in orange-flavored liqueur and pepper. Cooke and mash the cranberries a little. Cook until the sauce reaches the desired consistency, about 5 minutes.
  4. Let cool completely at room temperature. Serve immediately or store in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. 

Substitutions & Additions

Cinnamon: You can substitute the cinnamon stick for ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon. You can also add ⅛ teaspoon of ground cloves for extra warm flavor.

Sugar: Some recipes call for brown sugar rather than white sugar for cranberry sauce. Both work fine in this recipe. If you prefer a slightly more tart cranberry sauce, you can adjust the amount of sugar, adding more or less sugar to suit your tastes.

Orange Juice: This easy cranberry sauce recipe calls for either fresh orange juice or orange juice made from concentrate.

Orange Liqueur: This ingredient is optional, but it really adds an extra layer of flavor to this recipe. You can add Grand Marnier or Triple Sec. If available, I highly recommend it. If not using liquor, substitute the same amount of orange juice. 

Cranberry Sauce in a bowl.

Storing & Freezing Instructions

Store: Cover and store your homemade cranberry sauce in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.  

Freeze: Leftover cranberry sauce can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen cranberries?

Yes, you can! If using frozen, you don’t need to thaw.

Can I use an immersion blender if I’d prefer a smoother sauce?

Absolutely!

Can I use dried Cranberries to make cranberry sauce?

 No, you’ll need fresh or frozen cranberries to make cranberry sauce. 

How much does this recipe yield?

This recipe yields about 3 cups of cranberry sauce.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes, you can. To do so, just double the quantities of all of the ingredients. Because of the added volume, the sauce may take longer to thicken.

Can I half this recipe?

Yes, you can. To do so, just half the quantities of all the ingredients. Since there’s less volume, the sauce may take less time to thicken.

Cranberry Sauce over a sliced turkey breast.

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Recipe Card

Cranberry Sauce in a white serving bowl

Easy Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce

Oriana Romero
This Easy Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce is spot-on-amazing, fresh, bright, and with just the right amount of tangy and sweet goodness. Try this easy, fuss-free cranberry sauce that and cooks up in a jiffy.
3.89 from 45 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 20 servings

Ingredients
 

  • 24 oz (2 bags 12oz each | 680 g) cranberries (fresh or frozen)
  • 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 wide strips orange zest
  • 1 cup (240 ml) fresh orange juice
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) water
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) Orange flavored liquor – such as Grand Marnier or Triple Sec (optional – I used Grand Marnier)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Important

Don’t forget to check out the step-by-step photos above in the post—they’ll guide you through the process and make everything super clear!

Instructions
 

Instant Pot:

  • Rinse cranberries. Place the cranberries in a colander and rinse them. Pick out and discard any damaged or bruised cranberries.
  • Combine cranberries, sugar, orange zest, orange juice, water, cinnamon, and salt in the Instant Pot. Secure lid and close the pressure release valve.
  • Select “Manual” mode and adjust the time to 6 minutes. Cook. When the time is over, press “Cancel” and let the Instant Pot release pressure naturally, about 10 minutes. Carefully turn the vent to release any extra pressure that might still be in there. Remove the lid.
  • Select “Sauté” and adjust to “Less.” Stir in orange-flavored liqueur and pepper. Mash the cranberries with the back of the spoon a little, if necessary—Cook for 5 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and reaches the desired jam consistency.
  • Let cool completely at room temperature. Serve immediately or store in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. The cranberry sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.

Stovetop:

  • Rinse cranberries. Place the cranberries in a colander and rinse them. Pick out and discard any damaged or bruised cranberries.
  • Add cranberries, sugar, orange zest, orange juice, water, cinnamon stick, and salt to a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 -15 minutes or until most cranberries have burst.
  • Stir in orange-flavored liqueur and black pepper. Mash the cranberries with the back of the spoon a little, if necessary—Cook for 5 more minutes, or until the sauce thickens and reaches the desired jam consistency.
  • Let cool completely at room temperature. Serve immediately or store in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. The cranberry sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
Oriana’s Notes
 
Store: Store your homemade cranberry sauce, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. 
 
Freeze:  Leftover cranberry sauce can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
 
Cinnamon: You can substitute the cinnamon stick for ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
 
Sugar: Some recipes call for brown sugar rather than white sugar for cranberry sauce. Both work fine in this recipe.
 
Orange Juice: You can use either fresh orange juice or orange juice made from concentrate in this easy cranberry sauce recipe.
 
Orange Liqueur: This ingredient is optional, but it really adds an extra layer of flavor to this recipe. You can add Grand Marnier or Triple Sec. If available, I highly recommend it. If not using liquor, substitute the same amount of orange juice. 
 
 
I appreciate your feedback, and it helps others, too!Recipe reviews on the website are extremely valuable to other readers online. So, please don’t forget to give it a 5-star rating below.

Nutrition

Calories: 104kcalCarbohydrates: 26gSodium: 30mgPotassium: 56mgFiber: 1gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 50IUVitamin C: 12.4mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 0.1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

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Course Condiments Side Dish
Cuisine American
Calories 104
Keyword cranberry instant pot recipe sauce thanksgiving

Eggless Baking Frequently Asked Questions

You’ve asked, and I’ve answered! Read on for a handful of answers to the most frequently asked questions about eggless baking.

Originally posted in November 2017, the post content was edited to add more helpful information, no change to the recipe in October 2022.  

This recipe was sponsored by Jennie-O.

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3.89 from 45 votes (43 ratings without comment)

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7 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Omg I just made this first time ever making ……it was out of this world NEVE buying the can stuff again !!! While warm I put over ice cream haha
    Thank u so much

  2. I buy lots of cranberries and freeze them too. Can this recipe be used to can/process the sauce for later use. I made it and the flavor was wonderful, also love the one for apple butter and would recommend it to anyone who likes apple……Thanks, Rochelle

    1. Hello Rochelle! Yes, you can definitely use this recipe for canning. Thanks for your interest in my recipe. Please come back and let me know how you like it. ?

    1. Hello Shelly! Yes, you can add Port or white wine, but 1/2 cup sounds like too much. I would use 1/2 cup wine + 1/2 cup water. Thanks for your interest in my recipe. Please come back and let me know how it turns out. ?

  3. 5 stars
    I made this for Thanksgiving, and it was phenomenal! We aren’t really cranberry sauce lovers either, but this was a hit all round – thank you for the wonderful recipe