This is how to make an amazing appetizer using this pressure cooker frozen meatballs method. Sweet and spicy frozen meatballs cooked in no time in your Instant Pot.
This Instant Pot pressure cooker frozen meatballs appetizer fantastic! Ok so if you have followed The Typical Mom at all you know I am kinda’ known for my easy Instant Pot recipes. (originally published 7/18, affiliate links present)
Table of Contents
- Instant Pot Frozen Meatballs
- Frozen Meatballs Instant Pot
- Instant Pot grape jelly meatballs
- Pressure cooker grape jelly meatballs
- Instant Pot frozen meatballs with sauce
- Ninja Foodi Frozen Meatballs
- Can I cook frozen meat in an Instant Pot?
- Instant Pot Frozen Meatballs
- Instant Pot frozen meatball appetizer
- Pressure Cooker Frozen Meatballs Recipe
Instant Pot Frozen Meatballs
You’ve gotta’ make these grape jelly meatballs (or other version) in your Instant Pot today. Talk about a killer, but cheap, appetizer. OR defrost them and throw them into spaghetti for dinner. You can make these in your Ninja Foodi or Crockpot Express pots too. Doesn’t matter what brand.
You may want to make this plain and just steamed to add into your Instant Pot spaghetti dish. That works great but with a sauce your guests coming over for Super Bowl are going to think you’re a real hero. Using different ones you can make some spicy and others sweet.
If you are new to pressure cooking we have a lot of easy one pot meal recipes for you here. To begin with let’s start with a few basic tips:
- Make sure to Bookmark our InstaPot recipes page. We add new ones each week!
- Then PRINT this —–> Instant Pot cooking times cheat sheet that will help you understand how long meat, vegetables and beans take to cook in your pressure cooker.
- I HIGHLY recommend you buy this non stick pot.
- You should know how to deglaze a pressure cooker after sautéing but it won’t have as many issues with this better liner.
For reference, this is the model I have (a 6 quart) and use for all recipe creations.
You may have tried these before in your slow cooker, BUT have you made them in just 6 minutes?? Perfect when company shows up unexpectedly because you can have everything on hand and whip it all together. Just two ingredients is all you need for the basic bbq meatballs if you love that flavor.
Frozen Meatballs Instant Pot
Like spice?? Add a bit of Sriracha to add some heat! This part is totally up to you but either way they’re amazing. You can adjust as your tastebuds prefer which is really nice. 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.
I use my fancy pressure cooker almost daily to make meals, but using it to prepare for a party is great because then you have less time in the kitchen and more time to relax yourself.
Instant Pot grape jelly meatballs
Just cook these pressure cooker meatballs until tender, transfer them to a bowl, then move on to your next creation like our pressure cooker chicken sliders.
You could literally have multiple appetizers done in under an hour….and people will think you cooked all day. ;)Of course you can make fresh meatballs and they would take half the amount of time listed here but we are going for EASY here, this is what you do.
I have 2 different pressure cooker frozen meatballs appetizer recipes, the ingredients for the first one are here (video shows this method):
Pressure cooker grape jelly meatballs
- 28-32 oz. frozen meatballs
- 18 oz. grape jelly
- 12 oz. chili sauce
- 3/4 c. water
- 1/4 tsp. dry Sriracha
Heat isn’t necessary but I like it even though I am not a spicy food lover.
Instant Pot frozen meatballs with sauce
Here is a quick rundown but there is also a printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. You just basically add grape jelly, water, chili sauce and sriracha to your Instant Pot. If you just wanted to use spaghetti sauce for that type of snack then use a jar of that instead. A bottle of BBQ sauce works too.
- Whisk together until smooth and then dump in your frozen meatballs.
- Mix so sauce is coating all meatballs
- Close lid and steam valve. Set to pressure high for 5 minutes will make them fully cooked and warmed.
- Quick release, sprinkle with Italian seasoning if using sauce and serve!
- As an appetizer just set some toothpicks next to your pot and you’re done.
There is a second option below using orange flavors instead of grape, choose either one. They have both been a hit at Super Bowl football parties we’ve thrown.
Ninja Foodi Frozen Meatballs
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”. Follow these instructions by heating in a sauce or steamed with some water in the bottom.
Can I cook frozen meat in an 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.
The second pressure cooker frozen meatballs recipe uses the following ingredients and recipe is in recipe card below:
Instant Pot Frozen Meatballs
- 1 bag frozen meatballs (could use beef or turkey)
- or make homemade meatballs and freeze them yourself beforehand
- Orange marmelade jam
- Brown sugar
- Apple cider vinegar
- Barbecue sauce – we like a sweet and savory one, don’t choose plain honey variety as it may trigger burn message on Instant Pot
- Water
Sriracha – if you want a bit more spice
Instant Pot frozen meatball appetizer
If you’re looking for other Instant Pot appetizers, try these:
- 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
- Appetizer 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 too!
Pressure Cooker Frozen Meatballs
Ingredients
- 24 oz frozen meatballs
- 1/3 c orange marmelade, jam
- 1/4 c brown sugar
- 1/2 c apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 c barbecue sauce, we chose sweet and spicy, try to avoid just honey style as it may trigger burn message
- 1/2 c water
- 1-3 tbsp Sriracha, optional, for heat
Instructions
- Combine sauce ingredients and water into a bowl and mix.
- Add half of this mixture into pressure cooker, then frozen meatballs, then remaining sauce.
- Gently toss meatballs so they are all coated.
- Close lid and steam valve and set to manual, high, for 5 minutes.
- Do a quick release and serve with toothpicks on the side to lift them out, great appetizer.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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.