Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Frozen Meatballs

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.

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.

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

1. 28-32 oz. frozen meatballs
2. 18 oz. grape jelly
3. 12 oz. chili sauce
4. 3/4 c. water
5. 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.

1. Whisk together until smooth and then dump in your frozen meatballs.
2. Mix so sauce is coating all meatballs
3. Close lid and steam valve. Set to pressure high for 5 minutes will make them fully cooked and warmed.
4. Quick release, sprinkle with Italian seasoning if using sauce and serve!
5. 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

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. 1 bag frozen meatballs (could use beef or turkey)
   1. or make homemade meatballs and freeze them yourself beforehand
2. Orange marmelade jam
3. Brown sugar
4. Apple cider vinegar
5. Barbecue sauce – we like a sweet and savory one, don’t choose plain honey variety as it may trigger burn message on Instant Pot
6. 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. 😉

1. I HIGHLY suggest you get a non stick pot too!