It’s so easy to make your own Instant Pot vegan cranberry sauce. And the best part is that you can tweak this recipe to make it just the way you like it. Use different spices, citrus, or even choose your favorite sweetener!
Cranberry Sauce Is For Vegans Too!
It’s easy to think that cranberry sauce is just for turkey, but it goes great on vegan holiday dishes.
It’s naturally vegan with a sweet and tart flavor that adds a zing. I put mine on vegan stuffing.
My version is plant-based cranberry sauce that you make in your Instant Pot.
I use maple syrup to take the tart edge off my recipe, but you could use date syrup or paste, or even applesauce if you prefer.
Can Cranberry Sauce Be Made Ahead of Time?
Another great thing about cranberry sauce is that you can make it a few days ahead of time and serve it chilled from the fridge. Of course, you can warm yours up if you prefer that.
In my family we ate the canned kind straight from the fridge, so I love the coolness of the cranberry sauce on warm stuffing.
What Is Orange Zest?
It’s a weird term for the outside skin of citrus fruit. It’s the colorful part where all the essential oils are that create a strong and fragrant flavor.
Do You Need to Wash Citrus Fruit Before Zesting?
Make sure you wash the outside of the fruit and dry it before you zest it. Then use a small hand grater, like this OXO one I use.
Remember to Leave the Citrus Pith
Watch for the white part while you’re grating. You want to stop as soon as you see it and move to another area of the fruit. The white pith is bitter so you want to avoid it.
Can Cranberry Sauce be Frozen?
The great news is that you can freeze cranberry sauce. No need to waste those leftovers and you can use it on a sandwich, serve with a vegan cheese plate, or even spread it on your breakfast toast.
More Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes
- Gluten-free Vegan Teff Stuffing with Roasted Butternut Squash and Candied Cranberries
- Instant Pot Vegan Pumpkin Spice Syrup Recipe
- Fall Spice Infused Maple Syrup
Instant Pot Plant Based Cranberry Sauce w/ Orange and Cardamom
Equipment
Ingredients
Pressure Cooker Ingredients
- 3 cups cranberries fresh
- 2 cups minced peeled apple
- 1/2 cup orange juice about 2 medium oranges
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon orange zest about 2 medium oranges
- 10 cardamom pods
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1/4 teaspoon salt optional
Saute Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons apple brandy optional
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup sweetener of your choice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
Instructions
- Add all the pressure cooker ingredients to your Instant Pot. Put on the lid and set the vent to sealed. Cook on high pressure for 6 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally, which means wait until the pressure value drops on its own.
- Once the pressure releases, you will be able to remove the lid and set aside. Press the cancel button to turn off the Instant Pot, then press the saute button and the adjust button until it sets to “less”.
- Add in the saute ingredients. Mix well with a large spoon and mash the fruit pieces as you go.
- Please note, you can use any sweetener of your choice, just add a little at a time and taste as you go.
- Cook until it’s at the thickness you desire, then turn off and remove the cardamom pods and cinnamon sticks. Store in the fridge.
Sue C says
I don’t see any directions, just the ingredients.
Kathy Hester says
Not sure why they didn’t show before, but I re-entered them and they are there now.
Sue C says
Thank You! 🙂
Carolyn says
Where are the directions?
Kathy Hester says
Not sure why they didn’t show before, but I re-entered them and they are there now.
Carolyn says
Thank you, thank you, thank you!! Looks yummy.
You must be a mind reader. Was looking for a processed sugar free cranberry sauce recipe.
Donna Estrada says
Hi Kathy, any problem if leave out the cardamom pods and spice . I dont have any and dont want to go on a search the day before Thanksgiving. Looks like a delicious recipe! Thanks!!
Kathy Hester says
Not at all, it will just be your version. You can use ground spices after you cook it too.
Jules Shepard says
I know someone who would LOVE this recipe! The family is in need of a processed sugar free cranberry sauce. YUM!
Monica says
This looks so delicious, quick and easy! Perfect for the holidays!
Erin Dee says
This cranberry sauce looks so delicious! Love that you used maple syrup as a sweetener!
Krista says
Love this! I won’t have to freeze any leftovers because there won’t be any. I’m spooning this over everything, including my pumpkin pie.
Jonathan says
This was a delicious addition to our Thanksgiving dinner. Easy to make and really good. Five stars!!