Festive Maple-Infused Cranberry Sauce
Elevate your Thanksgiving table with this Festive Maple-Infused Cranberry Sauce, bursting with the bright flavors of fresh cranberries and oranges. This recipe not only simplifies the process using your Instant Pot but also enhances the traditional taste with the sweetness of real maple syrup and a hint of vanilla. Perfect for drizzling over turkey, spooning onto biscuits, or enjoying straight from the bowl, this rich and tangy sauce will quickly become a holiday staple. Make ahead of time and serve warm or at room temperature for a delightful addition to your festive feast.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
fresh cranberries
24 ounces (rinsed and sorted)
oranges
2 (zested)
fresh orange juice
1/2 cup (juiced from the zested oranges)
granulated sugar
1 cup (none)
real maple syrup
1/3 cup (none)
vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon (none)
cinnamon stick
1 (none)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (none)
Instructions
1
Start by rinsing the fresh cranberries under cold water, discarding any that are mushy or damaged.
2
Place the cleaned cranberries in the bowl of a 6-quart or larger Instant Pot.
3
Add the zest of two oranges, fresh orange juice, granulated sugar, maple syrup, vanilla extract, a cinnamon stick, and salt to the cranberries.
4
Stir the mixture gently until all ingredients are well combined.
5
Lock the Instant Pot lid in place, set the vent to 'seal,' and cook at high pressure for 2 minutes.
6
After the cooking time is finished, allow for a natural pressure release for 10 minutes. Then, carefully switch the vent to 'venting' to manually release any remaining pressure.
7
Once the lid opens, gently stir the cranberry mixture. If the sauce is not thick enough for your liking, activate the sauté function on the Instant Pot. Cook while stirring constantly for 1 to 2 minutes until the desired thickness is achieved.
8
Remember that the sauce will continue to thicken as it cools. Once satisfied with the consistency, transfer the sauce to a serving bowl and allow it to cool slightly before serving warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Festive Maple-Infused Cranberry Sauce?
It is a bright and tangy holiday side dish made with fresh cranberries, orange, maple syrup, and vanilla, prepared quickly in an Instant Pot.
How many cranberries are required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 24 ounces of fresh cranberries that have been rinsed and sorted.
What preparation is needed for the cranberries?
Rinse the fresh cranberries under cold water and discard any that are mushy or damaged.
How many oranges do I need?
You will need two oranges for both their zest and their juice.
How much orange juice is required?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of fresh orange juice, ideally juiced from the zested oranges.
How much granulated sugar is used?
The recipe uses 1 cup of granulated sugar to balance the tartness of the cranberries.
What type of maple syrup should I use?
The recipe specifies using 1/3 cup of real maple syrup for the best flavor.
Is vanilla extract included in the sauce?
Yes, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract is added to enhance the traditional taste.
Do I use a whole cinnamon stick?
Yes, the recipe calls for one cinnamon stick to be added to the mixture before cooking.
How much salt is added to the recipe?
A small amount of salt, specifically 1/4 teaspoon, is used to balance the flavors.
What size Instant Pot is recommended?
A 6-quart or larger Instant Pot is recommended for preparing this cranberry sauce.
How do I combine the ingredients in the Instant Pot?
Add all ingredients to the bowl and stir the mixture gently until they are well combined.
What is the pressure cooking time?
Set the Instant Pot to cook at high pressure for 2 minutes.
How should I set the vent during cooking?
The vent should be set to the 'seal' position before starting the pressure cook cycle.
Should I use a natural or quick pressure release?
You should allow for a natural pressure release for 10 minutes before manually releasing any remaining pressure.
What do I do if the sauce is too thin after cooking?
Activate the sauté function and cook while stirring constantly for 1 to 2 minutes until it reaches your desired thickness.
Does the cranberry sauce thicken as it cools?
Yes, the sauce will continue to thicken significantly as it cools down.
How should I serve the Festive Maple-Infused Cranberry Sauce?
It can be served warm or at room temperature, making it a flexible addition to your meal.
Can I make this cranberry sauce in advance?
Yes, the description suggests it can be made ahead of time for your festive feast.
What are some serving suggestions for this sauce?
It is perfect for drizzling over turkey, spooning onto biscuits, or enjoying straight from the bowl.
Is this recipe considered easy?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy recipe that simplifies the traditional process using an Instant Pot.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 8 total ingredients: cranberries, oranges, orange juice, sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include thanksgiving, holiday side dish, maple syrup, festive, and instant pot recipe.
What is the total cooking time under pressure?
The active pressure cooking time is only 2 minutes.
How long is the total pressure release process?
The process takes 10 minutes for natural release followed by a short manual venting period.
Can I use bottled orange juice?
While the recipe suggests fresh juice from the zested oranges, bottled juice can be used if fresh is unavailable.
What should I do with the orange zest?
The zest of two oranges should be added directly into the Instant Pot with the other ingredients.
Is the cinnamon stick removed before serving?
While the instructions don't explicitly say to remove it, it is standard practice to remove the cinnamon stick before transferring to a serving bowl.
Can this sauce be eaten cold?
Yes, although the recipe mentions serving warm or at room temperature, cranberry sauce is often enjoyed cold as well.
Why use maple syrup instead of just sugar?
The maple syrup enhances the traditional taste and adds a rich, complex sweetness to the sauce.