Instant Pot 3-Ingredient Meatballs—These meatballs are a perfect appetizer. With only 3 ingredients and the use of your Instant Pot they literally take 3 minutes of hands-on time. They are super flavorful with a little bit of savory and a little bit of sweetness.
Get the Slow Cooker 3-Ingredient Party Meatballs recipe here
Instant Pot 3-Ingredient Meatballs
Have you ever had the chili sauce and grape jelly meatballs before? I know it sounds weird but trust me! They are the best because they taste amazing and they are SO EASY to put together. You can serve them for dinner or as an appetizer at a party. And now you can make them in minutes in your Instant Pot. Then keep them warm and serve them straight out of the pot.
If you’re making for a large group of people, I recommend doubling the recipe. You’ll still be able to fit everything into a 6 or 8 quart Instant Pot with no problems.
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What Pressure Cooker Did You Use?
To make Instant Pot 3-Ingredient Meatballs I used my 6 quart Instant Pot Duo 60 7 in 1*. I love this Instant Pot because it has the yogurt making function which I use almost weekly. It has two pressure settings (high and low), and there are also little slots in the handles so that you can rest the lid there instead of putting it down on your counter-top.
Instant Pot 3-Ingredient Meatballs
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 minutes (plus 5 minute NPR)
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Description
These meatballs are a perfect appetizer. With only 3 ingredients and the use of your Instant Pot they literally take 3 minutes of hands-on time. They are super flavorful with a little bit of savory and a little bit of sweetness.
Ingredients
- 1 cup beef broth or water
- 1 (26 oz) bag frozen meatballs
- 1/2 cup apricot preserves or grape jelly
- 3/4 cup chili sauce (it is by the ketchup at the store)
Instructions
- Add broth to the Instant Pot. Dump the bag of meatballs into the pot. Dump the apricot/grape jelly and chili sauce on top of the meatballs. Don’t stir.
- Cover and secure the lid. Make sure the valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 4 minutes. When the time is up let the pot sit for 5-10 minutes and then move the valve to venting. Remove the lid.
- Toss the meatballs and coat them in the sauce. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
This recipe is easily doubled and perfect to serve at a party. Double all the ingredients (except the broth) and keep the cooking time the same.
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
I know I will take a lot of heat for this comment but I think frozen store bought meatballs are an abomination and will never find their way into my kitchen. The recipe is a worthy dish but ONLY with fresh homemade meatballs. I am sometimes a lazy cook, but never that lazy!
You can for sure make this with homemade meatballs!
This came out very… runny. Sauce is way too thin. I subbed the chili sauce for brown sugar BBQ sauce, it was alright but I’m definitely going to be adjusting the portions of the sauce ingredients next time.
“3 ingredient meatballs” lists 4 ingredients 🤣
haha ya I don’t count water/broth as an ingredient since that is in every single recipe
Made this recipe for dinner tonight, honestly took 5 minutes of preparation… my husband gave it a 5 stars. I did not have Apricot Preserve so I used Apricot Jam – I think it’s a little bit heavier and thicker than preserve so I added a little bit of water to it. I used the Italian frozen meatballs from Costco and everything was delicious. Have a look at the photo: https://shared-assets.adobe.com/link/5021895e-c8d1-4072-4945-aad9e702b767
They look so good Helene!
Can you add pineapple tidbits? If so, when can we add to the recipe?
I’d stir them in after the pressure cooking time is up.
Made this recipe for years with bbq sauce instead of Chile sauce and added 1 pound of pasta (changed the broth to 4 cups and the meatballs to 2 pounds (I use Walmart brand) and add onions, peppers and mushrooms. Set IP to 4 minutes and quick release. Enjoy (I will try you’re recipe tonight)
That sounds so great! I will try it!
So only 4 minutes on manual?
Roy you didn’t even make this recipe then !
Why even respond !!!!
Great
🙂
Wow Karen – thank you for this recipe. I have made this (or one similar in the past) but in the instant pot it will be a breeze and one I am sure I will have for Christmas Eve this year. Something I am sure my grandkids have never had and it will bring back a memory or two for our kids. Merry Christmas to you and your family – I look forward to more of your recipes and ideas.
Thank you Heather! Merry Christmas to you 🙂
I made this and they came out super watery. Can I add more grape jelly to make them sticky meatballs?
Yes or you could thicken with a cornstarch slurry.
I’m happy you have this popular recipe but for the instant pot. With the holidays around the corner it will come in handy.
Yep it totally does! Perfect for parties.
OMG, I came here expecting a recipe for actual MEATBALLS, and found this recipe that everyone and their sister makes at the holidays! es it’s good, but far from what I’d expect from a “professional” food blogger! So disappointed.
Thank you for this recipe, Karen. I have never made 3 ingredient meatballs before and needed the instructions. I was also really happy to learn how to do this in the Instant Pot.
Thank you Esther!
What do you think about using strawberries jam??
You could try it! It will definitely be a different flavor profile.
I agree with you I don’t want receipe with frozen meatballs.
You do know she has many other non frozen meatballs recipes, right?
Some people are so rude. If you already know it, just ignore it. There are different methods of preparing this recipe. Thanks Karen
Very easy and pretty good, with a lot of flavor. Will definitely be making these again. Husband approved! 😁
good! Glad he liked them 🙂
What brand of frozen meatballs are good? I tried this once before and the meatballs weren’t that great tasting.
I have tried several brands store brand and other. I like the meatballs at costco and at kroger. You may want to experiment.
Can I use fresh meatballs instead of frozen meatballs?
I think you could if they were precooked. I would worry that they would fall apart a bit. So let me know how it goes!
What kind of chile sauce do you use for this recipe?
It’s next to the ketchup. I think it is Heinz. It is ketchup with a kick.