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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers & Dips

    Instant Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs

    Published: May 26, 2023 by Kelsey Smith

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    Instant Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs
    Instant Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs
    Instant Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs
    Instant Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs

    This easy Instant Pot grape jelly meatballs recipe calls for concord grape jelly, Heinz chili sauce, water, and frozen meatballs for an easy pressure cooker recipe.

    Grape jelly, chili sauce, and water are combined in the Instant Pot to create the sauce. Frozen homestyle meatballs are added and stirred until well coated. After cooking, the sauce is thickened.

    For a classic party appetizer that feeds a crowd, double the recipe and garnish with sliced green onions. The Instant Pot is perfect for party recipes because you can set the pot to warm and keep your tasty meatballs at the perfect temperature.

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Instant Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs

    For more frozen meatball recipes, try these frozen meatballs in pasta sauce or easy honey BBQ meatballs.

    Recipe Highlights

    • Perfect appetizer: Cocktail meatballs are an easy appetizer recipe for game day or a summer cookout, great for Memorial Day, 4th of July, the Super Bowl, or holiday parties.
    • Easy recipe: Bookmark these easy grape jelly meatballs.
    • Simple ingredients: Easy to find ingredients.
    Jump to:
    • Recipe Highlights
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • FAQ
    • More Meatballs
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Food safety
    • 💬 Comments

    Ingredients

    Instant Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs ingredients
    • Concord grape jelly - such as Smuckers or Welch's
    • Heinz chili sauce - found on the condiment aisle, NOT to be confused with sweet chili sauce or hot dog chili sauce
    • Water - a cup of water to give the pressure cooker enough liquid
    • Frozen meatballs - homestyle, fully cooked frozen meatballs
    • Cornstarch and water (optional) - to create a slurry to thicken the sauce

    See the recipe card for quantities.

    Instructions

    Instant Pot display showing it is set to Saute on Less

    Set the Instant Pot to Sauté on Less (low).

    Grape jelly, Heinz chili sauce, and water are mixed together in the Instant Pot

    When the display says Hot, add concord grape jelly, chili sauce, and water to the Instant Pot, and whisk together until combined. Cancel the sauté.

    Frozen meatballs in the Instant Pot coated in grape jelly sauce

    Stir in meatballs until well coated.

    Instant Pot display showing the pot is set to pressure cook on high for 5 minutes

    Close the lid, set the lid to Sealing, and set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook on HIGH pressure for 5 minutes. It will take several minutes for the pot to come to pressure.

    Instant Pot display indicating the pot of been on Keep Warm for 3 minutes

    When the cook time is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 3 to 5 minutes.

    Turning the Instant Pot pressure knob to venting using a silicone spatula

    After 3-5 minutes, do a quick release. The brief natural release will help prevent any liquid from sputtering out of the pressure release knob.

    Instant Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs after the pressure is released

    Remove the lid and stir the meatballs.

    Two Instant Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs on a silicone serving spoon

    To thicken the grape jelly sauce, set the pot to Sauté on Normal for about 5 minutes to reduce the sauce.

    Pouring a cornstarch slurry over the meatballs in the Instant Pot

    For an even thicker sauce, create a cornstarch slurry by stirring together the cornstarch and cold water. Set the pot to Sauté, add the cornstarch mixture to the meatballs, and simmer until the desired consistency is reached.

    Grape jelly sauce being poured over a pile of Instant Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs

    Garnish with sliced green onions (optional).

    Instant Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs garnished with sliced green onions

    If serving as a party appetizer or snack, serve with toothpicks or cocktail picks.

    Instant Pot Grape Jelly Meatball on a toothpick

    Substitutions

    • Grape jelly - Any grape jelly will work, but raspberry jelly, blackberry jelly, apricot preserves, and apple jelly are good alternatives.
    • Heinz chili sauce - Though not at all similar in flavor, barbecue sauce such as Sweet Baby Ray’s Original BBQ Sauce is a great alternative.
    • Homestyle meatballs - Chicken meatballs, turkey meatballs, and Italian style meatballs will also work in this recipe.

    Variations

    • Slow cooker - This recipe is very easy to make in a Crock Pot. Skip the water. Cook covered on HIGH for 2-3 hours or LOW for 4-5 hours.
    • Homemade meatballs - For a homemade recipe, try this homemade meatballs variation.

    Equipment

    • Pressure cooker - The electric pressure cooker I use is the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 6-Quart.
    • Whisk - Or silicone spatula to stir the sauce.

    Storage

    Store leftover meatballs in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stove.

    FAQ

    How many meatballs per person for a party?

    If meatballs are the main course, have at least 6 to 10 meatballs per person. If they are served alongside other appetizers, you will need less.

    What is the best way to cook frozen meatballs?

    Fully cooked frozen meatballs can be cooked in the Instant Pot, slow cooker, microwave, conventional oven, and on the stovetop.

    More Meatballs

    Looking for more meatball recipes? Try these sweet BBQ meatballs, Italian Instant Pot meatballs, or Hawaiian meatballs.

    • BBQ meatballs in an Instant Pot.
      Instant Pot BBQ Meatballs
    • Easy Instant Pot Italian Meatballs
      Instant Pot Frozen Meatballs
    • Slow Cooker Hawaiian Meatballs
      3-Ingredient Hawaiian Meatballs
    • Close up of buffalo turkey meatballs garnished with fresh parsley on a small plate with a small dish of ranch.
      Buffalo Turkey Meatballs

    📖 Recipe

    Instant Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs
    Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved! Email Print

    Instant Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs

    This easy Instant Pot grape jelly meatballs recipe calls for concord grape jelly, Heinz chili sauce, water, and frozen meatballs for an easy pressure cooker recipe.
    5 from 3 votes
    Recipe by: Kelsey Smith
    Prep time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook time: 5 minutes minutes
    Pressurizing Time : 10 minutes minutes
    Total time: 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 16 servings

    Equipment

    • Pressure cooker
    • Whisk

    Ingredients
     
     

    For the meatballs

    • 18 ounces concord grape jelly
    • 12 ounces Heinz chili sauce
    • 1 cup water
    • 3 pounds frozen homestyle meatballs

    For the cornstarch slurry (optional)

    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
    • 1 tablespoon water cold

    Instructions
     

    • Set the Instant Pot to Sauté on Less (low). When hot, add concord grape jelly, chili sauce, and water to the Instant Pot, and whisk together until combined. Cancel the sauté.
    • Stir in meatballs until well coated.
    • Close the lid, set the lid to Sealing, and set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook on HIGH pressure for 5 minutes. It will take several minutes for the pot to come to pressure.
    • When the cook time is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 3 to 5 minutes, followed by a quick release. The 5-minute natural release will help prevent any liquid from sputtering out of the pressure release valve. Remove the lid and stir the meatballs.
    • OPTIONAL: To thicken the grape jelly sauce, set the pot to Sauté on Normal for about 5 minutes to reduce the sauce. For an even thicker sauce, create a cornstarch slurry by stirring together the cornstarch and cold water. Set the pot to Sauté, add the cornstarch mixture to the meatballs, and simmer until the desired consistency is reached.
    • Tip: If transferring the meatballs to a serving tray or party platter, pour the extra sauce over top of the meatballs or pour it into a large ramekin as a dipping sauce.

    Video

    Notes

    Servings are based on 85g of meatballs (3 to 6, depending on the brand/size) per person.
    Burn error: If you frequently get a burn notice on your pot, you may wish to use a trivet to elevate your meatballs off the bottom of the pot.
    Slow cooker: This recipe is very easy to make in a Crock Pot. Skip the water. Cook covered on HIGH for 2-3 hours or LOW for 4-5 hours.
    Storage: Store leftover meatballs in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stove.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 364kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 11gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 710mgPotassium: 255mgFiber: 1gSugar: 21gVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 36mgIron: 1mg
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Instant Pot, jelly, meatballs
    Tried this recipe?Rate it to let me know how it was!

    Food safety

    Frozen meatballs should be heated to 165ºF as measured by a food thermometer.

    See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

    More Appetizers & Dips

    • Smoked gouda cheese dip topped with bacon bits and green onion.
      Smoked Gouda Cheese Dip
    • Cream cheese sausage dip
      3-Ingredient Sausage Cream Cheese Dip
    • Velveeta Sausage Cheese Dip
      Velveeta Sausage Cheese Dip
    • Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip
      Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip

    About Kelsey Smith

    I am a freelance content writer by day, mommy by night, and a blogger in between. I live in Knoxville, Tennessee with my husband, Xavier. When I'm not working, you might find me here, sharing comfort food recipes.

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    Kelsey Smith

    Hi, I'm Kelsey! I am a freelance content writer for college-level textbooks by day, mommy by night, and a blogger in between. I live in Knoxville, Tennessee with my husband, Xavier. When I'm not working, you might find me here, sharing easy comfort food recipes.

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