Instant Pot Cranberry Apple Sauce is the perfect combination of tart fresh cranberries, juicy apples, bright oranges, and sweet honey. This homemade cranberry sauce recipe is perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Why this Pressure Cookie Cranberry Sauce Recipe is Amazing: It's the perfect combination of sweet & tart thanks to the using both fresh cranberries & fresh sweet apples.
I will admit I am not a huge cranberry sauce fan and that is why I decided to make this from scratch. I know that Ocean Spray canned jelly or whole cranberry sauce may be what your family buys but this is a whole lot better.
This recipe uses fresh cranberries but you can also make it homemade by using Dried Cranberries to Make Cranberry Sauce., Both pair well with my Turkey Breast Recipe. Ok, now we cook!
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Why Make Homemade Cranberry Apple Sauce
Why settle for canned cranberry sauce or jelly when you can have homemade that is so easy and economical? Here are all the reasons you should make this homemade versus buying the can:
- You control the ingredients - buy organic or local ingredients if available
- You control the sweetness - add less or more honey to get it to your liking
- It is so easy
- A great recipe to get your kids involved helping out with
- You can make large or small batches
- Pride in something homemade
- It makes the house smell amazing
- It doesn't come out in the shape of a can - though my brother and I still think it is funny to serve canned solid food standing upright - "Tada, presenting the tower of cranberry jelly!"
Ingredients
This recipe needs only 4 ingredients. This recipe is vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, & Whole30.
Here are the ingredients needed to make this recipe:
- Fresh Cranberries - typically sold in bag at the grocery store.
- Apple - use your favorite kind, I like a granny smith, fuji, or honeycrisp variety.
- Orange - the juice & zest add a bright citrus note.
- Honey - optional to sweeten to taste
See the recipe card for quantities & substitutions/variations.
How to Make Cranberry Sauce in the Instant Pot
This is the easiest recipe for cranberry & apple sauce made in the electric pressure cooker.
Here are the easy steps for making this recipe:
- Prep the Ingredients
- Pressure Cook
- Blend & Sweeten
See the step-by-step instructions with photos below plus the recipe card at the end of the post.
1 - Prep the Ingredients
Place the fresh cranberries in a colander and rinse. Pick through them to ensure they are all good. Cut the apples into large chunks, with or without the skin is fine. (the skins add more fiber & vitamins) Add both to the Instant Pot insert.
Juice the orange and add to a measuring cup. Top off the orange juice with water to fill the measuring cup to equal ¾ cup of total liquid.
Don't worry that you need a full 1 cup for this - the fruits will release their own juices so this is enough liquid to keep the pot from burning.
Optional - zest the orange to save for the end.
2 - Pressure Cook
Place the lid on the Instant Pot and ensure it is set to seal. Select MANUAL and set the timer to 8 minutes.
Let the Instant Pot naturally release for 10 minutes. Then push the lid valve to release the remaining pressure if there is any - be careful the steam will be hot.
The apples & cranberries will be soft yet still a bit in large chunky pieces. Some juices will be at the bottom as well. OH - and it will SMELL AMAZING!
3 - Blend & Sweeten
For a chunky version, remove ¼ of the cranberries and set aside. Using an immersion blender, blend the cranberry apple mixture until it is your desired smoothness.
Add any cranberry chunks back in if you reserved some to the side. Add orange zest if using for added color, texture, & citrus flavor.
Next measure ½ C of honey, add to the cranberry apple sauce and stir. Taste to see if it is your desired tart or sweetness. Add ¼ C more at a time until your desired taste.
STORING
I like to place this in large mason jars to store in the refrigerator. It keeps for up to a week. It also freezes well in large storage Ziploc bags for up to 60 days.
Use leftovers to make my recipe for Cranberry Chicken Thighs.
What to Serve with Cranberry Apple Sauce
Besides serving that at holidays with turkey, ham, or roast, here are other main dish ideas that pair well with cranberry.
Instant Pot (pressure cooker) Cranberry Apple Sauce
Equipment
- pressure cooker
Ingredients
- 12 oz fresh cranberries
- 2 medium apples cored & chopped
- 1 orange juiced
- ½ - 1 C honey
Instructions
- Rinse cranberries in a colander and pick through them to ensure they are all good. (they should be firm and red)
- Core and cut the apples into large chunks.
- Juice the orange and pour it into a measuring cup. Top the juice off with water to make for ¾ cup of total liquid.
- Into the insert of the Instant Pot, add the cranberries, apples, and the orange liquid.
- Ensure the seal is in place and lock the lid on the Instant Pot. Make sure the valve is set to seal and select Manual. Set the timer to 8 minutes.
- It should take less than 10 minutes to come to pressure. When the 8 cooking minutes have completed, let the pressure cooker come down naturally for 10 minutes.
- Then release any remaining pressure by moving the lid valve to open – be careful as the steam will be hot. Once all the pressure is released, open the lid. CAUTION STEAM WILL BE HOT!
- If you want the sauce to be a bit chunky, remove some cranberries from the insert and reserve to the side. Using an immersion blender, blend the cranberry apple mixture until it is your desired smoothness. Add any cranberry chunks back in if you reserved some to the side.
- Next, add ½ C honey to the mixture and taste test. Add more honey if too tart to your liking.
- Store in airtight containers and keep in the refrigerator for up to 30 days.
Notes
Nutrition
More Instant Pot Recipes
Here are more pressure cooker side dish recipes that you may like:
Tamara | The Gutz Life says
This looks and sounds delicious. I like the idea of serving it over brie. It will be perfect for a festive Christmas appetizer.
Robin says
Ooooh I'm going to definitely give this a try! Thanks so much for sharing your talent with us at the Creative Muster. Looking forward to seeing what you’ll be sharing next week. Pinning!
Robin😊
Angela says
Great, thank you for pinning and dropping a comment.
Michelle says
This is one of my favorite things to make and I just got an instant pot so I can’t wait to make it in that. I am allergic to oranges so I use pineapple and that has become a huge hit with my family. A different twist to the normal cranberry sauce.
Angela says
The pineapple juice addition sounds amazing - thanks for sharing.
Lisa says
We have never tried anything with cranberry, we will definitely give this a try. Thank you for sharing.
Karen says
Ohhh, this makes my mouth water. It looks delicious!
Matt Epley says
My wife just bought a new Instant Pot last year. This sounds so amazing that I might finally give it a whirl for myself.
Angela says
Great Matt. I cannot wait to hear what you think and how you like the IP!
Dena says
I agree with you. Not a huge cranberry fan either but I do like honey and apples! This might be the recipe for me! I'll try it out! Thanks for the share! 😊
Angela says
Yes the apples really mellow it out and if the cranberries are still too tart for you, the honey helps.
jen says
OHHHH I have always wanted to make this! Perhaps this is the year...
Angela says
Yes 2019 is the year!
Erika says
This looks delicious and perfect to accompany Thanksgiving dinner.
Patrice says
I've never made cranberry applesauce in my instant pot before but maybe it's time I did! This looks so pretty too.
Jacqueline Debono says
I love cranberry sauce and not just with turkey! I serve it with lamb, pheasant and schnitzel! Love the idea of adding apples to it! On my to make list!
Angela says
Yes, it is so great with many types of meat other than turkey!
yasmin harper says
Can't wait to try this recipe out it looks delicious and so simple to make. It would be perfect for Christmas dinner!
Simone says
I love the fact that this is made with apples & honey, it sounds really delicious & perfect for the holidays!
Tamara J says
This is the perfect cranberry apple sauce recipe! Just in time for the holidays too! It looks and sounds so amazing, I can’t wait to try it out.
Sonila says
Apple cranberry sauce in instant pot sounds so perfect for Thanksgiving. Plus, IP should make this so much easier to prepare. Perfect!!!
Christen says
This cranberry sauce looks so perfect for Thanksgiving! And being able to make it in the instant pot is definitely a time saver. Thanks for this recipe!
Beth says
Great idea to combine the sweetness of apples with the tartness of the cranberries. I have a few apples in need of a recipe, and this is going to be the one, well in advance of Thanksgiving!
Angela Greven | Mean Green Chef says
The IP has revolutionized cooking, I know pressure cookers have been around since the 1600s but IP took it to another level. This looks delish and perfect for any holiday table spread!
Miz Helen says
Your awesome post has been featured on Full Plate Thursday,458. Thanks so much for sharing your talent with us and come back to see us real soon!
Miz Helen
Angela says
Thank you for featuring this - very exciting. Happy Thanksgiving!
Lathiya says
The cranberry sauce looks so shiny and delicious. Making it in Instant pot makes the whole process easier.
Dee | Grammy's Grid says
Oh yum, sounds really good! Thanks so much for linking up with me at #AThemedLinkup 12 for Crock Pot and Instant Pot Recipes, open February 28 to March 10. All entries shared on social media if share buttons installed.
Deb says
I just made it came out great. We have a faculty holiday dinner next weekend and I was in charge of cranberry sauce. I wanted to impress instead of buying the cans. Glad I made this because I am eating it with a spoon like it is candy. So good. I am going to freeze 1/2 for Thanksgiving with the family next month. Thanks for the
Angela says
Great idea to plan ahead for the holiday.
Alex says
Can I water bath can this recipe?
Angela says
I have never canned using a water bath so I am not sure how to do that. If you are experienced with that method it may work but it has not been tested or tried in my kitchen. Would love to hear back if you do try it and how it turned out - would help me or other readers.