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.

We are telling you, pressure cooker frozen meatballs is the easiest way to go from frozen ground beef balls to perfection in 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 we are throwing a party we will make these into grape jelly meatballs tossed with chili sauce and the obvious, jelly. If we want a second choice we will stir with some spaghetti sauce or eat right out of the pot if we want a low carb meal during the day.

We will say that you do not have to steam like this before making our Instant Pot spaghetti but if we do have some left at the end of the day we 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. We will say that the name brands have better textures typically, and we like beef. Most are all the same size so the timing shouldn't be altered no matter which you choose to use. If we had to say one, our top would be the Cooked solid one.

You could 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. We mean we don't 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 we 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 good. You can adjust as your tastebuds prefer which is 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 our tips below when avoiding burn message on Instant Pot. This only comes into play if cooking the frozen meatballs in a sauce directly. In our 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 we do it when we are making an appetizer where we 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

By How to cook Instant Pot frozen meatballs take 5 minutes. Enjoyed plain or with a sweet and spicy sauce they make a great appetizer or thrown into spaghetti. Prep: 10 minutes minsCook: 5 minutes minsTotal: 16 minutes minsServings: 12 Save Recipe Saved! Pin Recipe Comment Print 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.

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.

Additional Info

Course: Appetizer, Entree, Main Course, SnackCuisine: American Tried this recipe?Mention @thetypical_mom or tag #thetypicalmom!

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

Kitchen questions

How do you cook frozen meatballs quickly?

This is it y'all! If you don't want to add a sauce and 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. meatballs instant pot

How do you reheat frozen meatballs in an Instant Pot?

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 1 minute if they are already cooked and 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 our family when we 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 meatballsthey 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. We HIGHLY suggest you get a non stick pot to make all of these.