This is how to cook frozen meatballs in Instant Pot until fork tender steamed to perfection with water. We have shared all different ways of how to cook frozen meatballs but we use this the most often for an appetizer or for spaghetti.
I am telling you, pressure cooker frozen meatballs is the easiest way to go from frozen ground beef balls to perfection in just 5 minutes. We have shared hundreds of easy Instant Pot recipes but this is the most popular since the possibilities when done are so diverse.
When I am throwing a party I will make these into grape jelly meatballs tossed with chili sauce and the obvious, jelly. If I want a second choice I will stir with some spaghetti sauce or eat right out of the pot if I want a low carb meal during the day.
I will say that you do not have to steam like this before making our Instant Pot spaghetti but if I do have some left at the end of the day I will throw those right in and another one pot meal is made!! Don’t you love that??!!
What are the best frozen meatballs?
Let’s talk about brands, there are many out there. Most stores have their own versions and more known brands will too. Most are beef but turkey and vegetarian types are out there. I will say that the name brands have better textures typically, and I like beef. Most are all the same size so the timing shouldn’t be altered no matter which you choose to use. If I had to say one, my top would be the Cooked Perfect one.
You could literally have multiple appetizers done in under an hour….and people will think you cooked all day. 😉 Of course you can make homemade meatball recipe without breadcrumbs and they would take half the amount of time listed here but we are going for EASY here, this is what you do.
How to Get Started
You only need 2 ingredients. I mean I don’t really count water as an ingredient per say but it is necessary so let’s make sure it is listed in the needed items shall we. You could use broth to add a bit more flavor but I have done both and there isn’t a huge difference.
Like spice?? Add a bit of Sriracha to add some heat sprinkled on top! This part is totally up to you but either way they’re amazing. You can adjust as your tastebuds prefer which is really nice. You will need a steamer basket to keep them out of the water if steaming. Cooked in sauce, this isn’t necessary.
Cooked in Sauce
There are two ways to do this. Choose the method you prefer in the recipe card below but one you will need to follow my tips below when avoiding burn message on Instant Pot. This only comes into play if cooking the frozen meatballs in a sauce directly. In my experience this has only happened with honey bbq sauce. Cooked in spaghetti sauce works great, or in veri veri teriyaki sauce doesn’t seen to have this issue.
Steamed
This is the main way that I do it when I am making an appetizer where I want to toss with different sauces for a party or eat as a high protein snack. You don’t need to do this to make something like Ninja Foodi spaghetti but if you want to chop into smaller pieces to make that then by all means this would be your best bet.
in Ninja Foodi (Option)
If you wanted to make this as one of our easy Ninja Foodi recipes you certainly could. The steps are the same keeping in mind that the lid that is not attached is the one you use to pressure cook. You could use the basket with the holes in the bottom for this instead of a steamer basket though.
Instant Pot Frozen Meatballs Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 24 oz frozen meatballs
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Add water into the pot. Lower down steamer basket and open. Pour in frozen meatballs.
- Close lid and steam valve and set to manual, high, for 5 minutes. Do a quick release at the end and enjoy.
Video
Notes
Cooked in a Sauce
Combine 1/3 cup orange marmelade + 1/4 cup brown sugar + 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar + 1/2 cup barbecue sauce + 1/2 cup water or broth and if spicy add 2 tbsp Sriracha. Stir until smooth and add frozen meatballs, stir to coat. Then use the same timing above, 5 minutes on high with quick release.Alternative Sauces
You could use a jar of store bought sauce but it should not have a lot of honey or brown sugar in it (so avoid ones that say honey). 16 oz is minimum, or enough to coat all of your balls. A more savory teriyaki sauce is wonderful too as an alternative.Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Grape Jelly Meatballs Sauce
- 28-32 oz. frozen meatballs
- 18 oz. grape jelly
- 12 oz. chili sauce
- 3/4 c. water
- 1/4 tsp. dry Sriracha
FAQ
This is it y’all! If you don’t want to add a sauce and just want to add them into a pot of Instant Pot spaghetti then omit that. Instead follow our Instant Pot meatballs recipe. All you need is a basket and water.
OR air fry and make air fryer frozen meatballs in no time at all. Essentially you’ll be steaming them instead of cooking in a sauce. Both are huge time savers for sure.
This is essentially the same thing as cooking them but you would need less time. Follow these instructions by heating in a sauce or steamed with some water in the bottom but for just 1 minute if they are already cooked and just need to rewarm.
Other frozen foods cooked in Instant Pot
Yes, we cook frozen foods in it all the time. Makes it so quick and easy to make dinner for my family when I have had a forgetful day. Try our frozen roast in Instant Pot or Instant Pot frozen chicken instructions for other ideas.
Other Instant Pot appetizers you’ll love
If you want a heartier choice you should try our yummy Instant Pot porcupine meatballs, they are great. This Instant Pot pulled pork recipe is heavenly on slider buns. Or make an appetizer of Instant Pot cocktail wieners.
If you need timing for cooking frozen whole chicken in the Instant Pot we have that to help you too. 😉 I HIGHLY suggest you get a non stick pot to make all of these.
Yum! You had me at six minutes! Such a great recipe for entertaining and perfect for the holidays.
Yep it is one of our go tos!
Oh wow, this is such a fast and easy way to prepare dinner. Even when I forgot to thaw frozen meatballs! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
For spaghetti for sure, we do that a lot.
I know lol
I want to double this in my 6 quart instant pot (chili sauce recipe). How much water would you add and would the time be the same?
Time would remain the same, just double ingredients.
looks awesome, I’m going to try this tonight
I used sweet baby rays bbq sauce and doubled all!! It was awesome!!
Can I double the recipe??
Yes that shouldn’t be a problem.
I used 1 bag of chicken-beef meatballs 30 0z. Added 2 – 3 rounds of Picante sauce med ( or hot ) flavor and 3 – 4 heaping tablespoon Grape jelly. Mix it good. No water. Cook for 5 – 6 min. My second dish in my new Instant Pot.
Came out tender and juicy. Added cut up Pineapple ( from can ) Mix it . Garnish sliced green onions. Cook steam rice and vegetables for dinner. Or for appetizers.
How quick it cooked. Before 4 hrs high in slow cooker !!
Does anyone know what the cooking time would be for fresh meat meatballs? (not frozen)
I would brown the outsides of the fresh meatballs on saute, and then pressure cook them for 3 minutes probably depending on how many you had.
I just discovered cooking frozen meatballs with tomato sauce last night. Anything thing that I now will not cook any other way. I love this discovery!
The best!!
where does the water cone in?
I see that on the first recipe & wonder, as well.
Any response, Typical Mom?
It is in with all of the other liquid.