Cranberry sauce with its sweet and tangy flavors is my favorite Thanksgiving side dish that brightens up the holiday table. This EASY gluten-free, vegan recipe uses only 4 ingredients and is ready in 15 minutes using the Instant Pot! Best of all, check out all the different flavoring options that will make it a memorable dish in your feast.
Who needs canned cranberry sauce when making it at home is so easy that it does not even need a recipe! Simply simmer cranberries with sugar and water until the crabberries start to pop and the sauce starts to thicken.
Homemade sauce can be easily fancied up with herbs, spices, fruits, and citrus juice just to list a few. The natural pectins found in cranberries when cooked with acid like lemon juice or orange juice make the sauce more like a homemade jam!
Before I dive into all the variations, my go-to cranberry sauce uses these 4 ingredients:
- Cranberries - fresh or frozen cranberries work
- Sugar - can also be substituted with maple syrup or sugar substitute
- Apples - 2 fruits always better than one right? especially when they are in season!
- Orange Juice - brightens the taste, adds a refreshing citrusy kick
Why I like to make cranberry sauce in the Instant Pot
Although making stove-top cranberry sauce is easy, cooking it in the Instant Pot makes it a hands-free recipe. You simply layer all the ingredients, set it, and forget it for the best cranberry sauce.
Don't have an Instant Pot? Here is how to make Cranberry Sauce on a stovetop:
- Add cranberries, apple, sugar, orange juice, and ½ cup of water to a medium saucepan. Cook on medium heat until it starts to boil and the cranberries start to pop, stirring frequently
- Mash it with a potato masher or the back of the spoon to get to the texture you like. Then allow to simmer on low heat for 5 minutes
- Taste the sauce and stir in more sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time to bring the sauce to your desired sweetness
Variations and substitutions to fancy up the sauce:
- Substitute white sugar with maple syrup or brown sugar
- Add a cinnamon stick, 4 cloves, or 5 to 6 whole green cardamom pods, remember to pick them out before serving
- Add a tablespoon of freshly grated ginger for a zesty flavor
- Add 2 rosemary sprigs for a light herbal flavor, remove them before serving
- Add l teaspoon of lemon or orange zest to brighten up the flavors, this works great if you are cooking with water instead of orange juice
- Stir in finely chopped jalapeño in the cooked sauce for a spicy kick
In addition to serving to with your Thanksgiving feast, here are my favorite ways to serve the leftover cranberry sauce:
- Serve it with a scoop of vanilla icecream
- Make grilled cheese sandwiches with cranberry sauce and brie
- Add it to your breakfast oatmeal or serve with pancakes
- Blend in smoothies to add vibrant color and boost the vitamin C's
- Bake cakes or bread
Have you seen my other holiday recipes? These tried and true recipes are not only delicious and easy to make but also makes a visually stunning Thanksgiving feast:
- Instant Pot Whole Tandoori Chicken - Flavorful whole chicken recipe that can also be used to make the whole turkey
- Whole Roasted Cauliflower - A great vegetarian main dish for a holiday feast this visually inspiring meal is quick and incredibly flavorful
- Sweet Potato Casserole - Instant Pot recipe that is easy and makes creamy sweet potatoes that will keep your guests asking for more
- Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread - Another Instant Pot recipe, this make-ahead cornbread is perfectly moist and loaded with flavors
- Brussel Sprouts Salad - Shaved brussel sprouts salad flavored with tangy tamarind and zesty fresh ginger
- Fresh Pomegranate Juice - Fresh pomegranate juice is way better than the storebought ones, homemade juice also makes a great mix-in for vibrant cocktails and mocktails
- Hot Apple Cider - An hour before the guests arrive, add all the ingredients to the Instant Pot and let the cider simmer, welcoming your guests to a warming drink and home filled with wonderful holiday aromas
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Cranberry Sauce with orange juice
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 12 oz cranberries fresh or frozen
- 1 apple peeled and diced (I like honey crisp or granny smith variety)
- ½ cup orange juice preferably fresh
- ¾ cup sugar
Optional Ingredients:
- 2 twigs rosemary
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 tablespoon ginger grated
Instructions
- Add cranberries, apple, and orange juice to the Instant Pot. Layer with sugar, do not mix.
- Pressure cook for 2 mins. Allow 5 to 10 mins natural pressure release. Open the Instant Pot. Mix well and allow to cool before serving.
Stove Top Recipe:
- Add cranberries, apple, sugar, orange juice, and ½ cup of water to a medium saucepan. Cook on medium heat until it starts to boil and the cranberries start to pop, stirring frequently.
- Mash it with a potato masher or the back of the spoon to get to the texture you like. Then allow to simmer on low heat for 5 minutes.
- Taste the sauce and stir in more sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time to bring the sauce to your desired sweetness.
Video
Notes
- Substitute white sugar with maple syrup or brown sugar
- Add a cinnamon stick, 4 cloves, or 5 to 6 whole green cardamom pods, remember to pick them out before serving
- Add a tablespoon of freshly grated ginger for a zesty flavor
- Add 2 rosemary sprigs for a light herbal flavor, remove them before serving
- Add l teaspoon of lemon or orange zest to brighten up the flavors, this works great if you are cooking with water instead of orange juice
- Stir in finely chopped jalapeño in the cooked sauce for a spicy kick
Nutrition
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Shailaja Desai says
Great looking sauce and lovely picture too!!
Archana says
Thank you Shailaja
Anu says
Interesting! I would try the ginger flavoring. I always add lots of garlic and jalapeños to my cranberry sauce.