Cranberry Chutney

This Cranberry Chutney is sweet, spicy, and tangy, all at the same time. It is like a flavor burst in your mouth, with the cranberries, apples, orange juice, and spices. Make it in the instant pot or stovetop in just 30 minutes. Enjoy it on a cheese tray or with your favorite appetizer or sandwich!

You will find that most people make cranberry chutney for festive holiday meals. It is perfect for brightening up the table for a special Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.

But hey, why not enjoy it while the season lasts? We love to make this homemade cranberry chutney and have it on hand all through fall when fresh cranberries are available.

I like to make this cranberry chutney Indian style with apples and raisins, and some ginger and spices, along with orange juice. So call it as you wish: Cranberry Apple Chutney or Spicy Cranberry Chutney or Cranberry Ginger Chutney. Don’t hesitate to try your own variations on this chutney!

It is so easy to make this chutney, especially with an instant pot similar to applesauce. Just gather the ingredients, sauté, and pressure cook. It takes just 30 minutes to make it and stays good for up to two weeks. You can even freeze it!

Watch How to Make Cranberry Chutney

This Cranberry Chutney is:

• Sweet, spicy, and tangy.
• Delicious and easy to make from scratch.
• It can be ready in less than 30 minutes.
• Perfect for enjoying on a cheese or charcuterie board, with appetizers or slathered-on sandwiches.

What is Cranberry Chutney?

Cranberry Chutney is a sweet and sour condiment made with fresh cranberries, vinegar, sugar, spices, and other additions such as ginger, apples, raisins, oranges, etc.

A chutney is typically cooked to break down the fruits and mix them with sugar and spices. It makes a delicious, flavorful side to enjoy with appetizers or your meal, similar to my apricot chutney.

Ingredients

Cranberries: I like to make this chutney with fresh cranberries. However, if you only have frozen ones, feel free to use them. As we are cooking the chutney, you can add them without thawing. There could be extra liquid at the end with frozen cranberries, so you might have to turn the instant pot on saute mode for a few minutes to get a thicker consistency. 

Apples: They help to balance the tart flavor with their sweetness. Use fuji, gala, or honeycrisp apples. Peel, core, and dice them into small pieces.

Onions: In my opinion, onions are a must to add to an Indian-flavored chutney. Not a lot, just a small amount of diced red onions.

Ginger: It adds the perfect little zing to this chutney. I prefer to use freshly grated ginger to get the best flavor.

Sugar: It helps to balance the flavor of the chutney. I used white granulated sugar. You can increase or decrease the amount to your taste.

Raisins: Add some golden raisins to the chutney for some sweetness and texture.

Apple cider vinegar: This balances the sweetness in the chutney. You can use white vinegar if you don’t have apple cider vinegar.

Orange juice: In place of water, I like to add orange juice for some extra flavor!

Spices: This is the Indian touch to this chutney, with some garam masala, roasted cumin powder, and red chili powder. You can also add cinnamon if you like.

How to Make Cranberry Chutney?

You can make this chutney in the instant pot or on the stovetop. First, I will share the instant pot method, which is the easiest.

Instant Pot Method

• Heat oil in the instant pot on sauté mode. Once hot, add onions and let them cook until the onions soften. Press cancel. Then add ginger and mix it. 
• Add the cranberries, apples, raisins, sugar, apple cider vinegar, spices, and orange juice. Close the lid, and pressure cook.

• Once the cooking is completed, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then release any remaining pressure manually. 
• You can use an immersion blender to blend the chutney roughly. Or use a potato masher if you like your chutney chunky.

If you used frozen cranberries, you might need to put the instant pot on sauté mode for a few minutes. Remember, this chutney thickens as it cools. Taste and add more sugar if needed. 

Cranberry chutney is ready to enjoy.

Look at the beautiful red color and the perfect texture!!

You will love the flavor of this Indian-style Cranberry Chutney.

Stovetop Method

Follow the same steps as above using a heavy bottom pot or saucepan to make the chutney (I don’t recommend using a skillet, as the cranberries pop and need more space).

In place of pressure cooking, cover and cook on medium heat for about 12-15 minutes until the cranberries have softened and popped. Then follow the steps to mash the cranberries, thicken, and store the chutney.

Tips

Sweetness: We love this chutney with the amount of sugar suggested and the spices. However, if you like your chutney sweeter, feel free to adjust by adding more sugar.

Add orange zest: To make this chutney even more flavorful, you can grate some orange zest.

Cranberry Pear Chutney Variation: Replace apples with pear for a variation or depending on what you have on hand.

Thanksgiving planning: If you are making this chutney for Thanksgiving, you can make it up to a week ahead of time and store. 

Storage: Let the chutney cool down completely before storing. Then, transfer to an air-tight container and store it for up to two weeks in the refrigerator. You can also freeze the chutney for up to 3 months.

How to Serve?

• Serve it on a charcuterie board for Thanksgiving, Christmas dinner, or a special brunch.
• This goes very well with Brie and Sharp cheddar on a cheese board.
• Serve as a side for grilled meats. It goes perfectly with turkey, chicken, or pork chops.
• Spread it on a sandwich or crackers. It is great on a grilled cheese sandwich.
• Use it as a dip. We have enjoyed it in place of using ketchup too.

Common Questions

I hope you enjoy this delicious Cranberry Chutney. Do share how you liked it in the comments.

More Easy Indian Condiment Recipes

• Mint Cilantro Chutney
• Avocado Cilantro Sauce
• Tamarind Chutney
• Easy Tahini
• Garlic Yogurt Sauce
• Bruschetta Dip