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    Meals » Recipes » Appetizers

    Instant Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Jan 16, 2019 · Modified: Feb 15, 2021 by Dee

    Instant Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs made with sweet chili sauce and grape jelly are perfect for a quick and easy appetizer recipe for parties or game day!

    Jump to Recipe -

    instant pot grape jelly meatballs with sweet chili sauce in serving bowl

    We were watching the playoffs the other day, and I made a bunch of Instant Pot appetizers to munch on. Seriously, all of the appetizers were Instant Pot recipes, including these easy 3 ingredient Instant Pot grape jelly meatballs. Good times!

    These little appetizer meatballs have been around forever. Chances are, you've probably had slow cooker grape jelly meatballs made with Heinz sweet chili sauce or bbq sauce at a party or potluck. But these sweet and spicy Instant Pot meatballs are so much faster to make, and they taste just as good as the slow cooker version.

    You can use frozen meatballs for this recipe, or you can make your own. As much as I love homemade cocktail party meatballs, I took the easy route this time. I had some Instant Pot queso dip and pineapple teriyaki chicken wings cooking, so it was frozen meatballs to the rescue!

    How do you make meatballs with grape jelly in the Instant Pot?

    I like to add a little oil to the bottom of the pot whenever I make Instant Pot meatballs. Then, you add the meatballs, water, grape jelly and sweet chili sauce. I only used a little over a cup of jelly here to cut down on the sweetness, but you can always add more if you want. You can also add a pinch of hot pepper flakes for added spice.

    frozen meatballs with heinz sweet chili sauce and grape jelly in instant pot

    How long do you cook meatballs in the Instant Pot?

    Both fresh and frozen meatballs take just 5 minutes to cook in the Instant Pot. If you want to make your own meatballs, I recommend browning them first.

    sweet chili sauce and grape jelly meatballs in instant pot

    After the meatballs are done, you can hit the Saute button to reduce the sauce. You can leave the meatballs on the Keep Warm setting until you're ready to serve them -- just like with a slow cooker.

    grape jelly meatballs on spoon

    Or, you can add the meatballs to a serving bowl and pour the sauce over them. The sauce will thicken as it cools.

    instant pot grape jelly meatballs with sweet chili sauce in white serving bowl

    And that's it, folks! You've just made a batch of sweet and spicy meatballs in the pressure cooker in about 30 minutes!

    instant pot grape jelly meatball on toothpick

    What do you serve with grape jelly meatballs?

    For appetizer meatballs, serve them on their own. You can also serve them over pasta or rice for an easy main dish.

    Instant Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs Recipe

    instant pot grape jelly meatballs with sweet chili sauce in serving bowl

    Instant Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs

    Published by Dee
    Instant Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs made with sweet chili sauce and grape jelly are perfect for a quick and easy appetizer recipe for parties or game day!
    5 from 10 votes
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    Prep Time 2 mins
    Cook Time 5 mins
    pressure time 15 mins
    Total Time 22 mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine American
    Servings 20
    Calories 143 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 36 frozen meatballs
    • .5 cups water
    • 1.5 cups grape jelly
    • 1 bottle Heinz chili sauce

    Instructions
     

    • Add the oil to the bottom of the inner Instant Pot, then add the meatballs and pour water over and around meatballs
    • Add the grape jelly and chili sauce over the meatballs, but do not stir
    • Place lid on Instant Pot, and turn vent to Sealing position, then hit PRESSURE COOK for 5 minutes
    • Pot will take a few minutes to reach pressure, then begin counting down and cook for 5 minutes
    • When pot beeps, do a quick release. When pin drops, open lid, and stir meatballs well.
    • Optional -- to thicken sauce hit SAUTE and cook for about 5 minutes to reduce sauce. Hit Keep Warm and keep in pressure cooker until ready to serve or place in a large serving bowl

    Video

    Notes

    Recipe was made in a 6-quart Instant Pot electric pressure cooker

    Nutrition

    Calories: 143kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 4gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 23mgPotassium: 91mgSugar: 12gVitamin C: 2.4mgCalcium: 9mgIron: 0.3mg
    Keyword grape jelly meatballs, instant pot grape jelly meatballs
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

    Instant Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs with sweet chili sauce

    I hope you enjoy these quick and easy grape jelly meatballs as much as we do!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Michelle says

      December 29, 2019 at 1:34 pm

      I have frozen uncooked meatballs that I want to use. Should I change anything?

      Reply
      • Dee says

        December 31, 2019 at 2:07 pm

        I've never tried using uncooked meatballs for this recipe, so I'm not sure how well those would work.

    2. Kim says

      December 26, 2019 at 3:04 pm

      Do I need to add more water if I have a 8qt IP?

      Reply
      • Dee says

        December 27, 2019 at 2:46 pm

        Yes, you would need more water, probably 1.5 cups for the 8 quart.

    3. Lory says

      December 24, 2019 at 11:36 am

      The only Heinz Chili Sauce at my supermarket did not say "sweet" on it so I bought a different brand of sweet chili sauce. The one I purchase is an orangeish color and jelly consistency but it looks like in your picture that the chili sauce looks more like a ketchup. Which one iscorrect?

      Reply
      • Dee says

        December 24, 2019 at 3:07 pm

        Regular Heinz chili sauce is fine. You can use any chili sauce or sweet chili sauce, which might be a little spicer.

    4. BusyAnn says

      November 16, 2019 at 11:15 am

      Sauce tasted a little watered down and texture of the meatballs were spongy, Loved cutting time from from 3 hours to less than half hour prep but I'm going back to crockpot method.

      Reply
      • Dee says

        November 16, 2019 at 1:41 pm

        The sauce does thicken as it sits, but the Crock-Pot method is awesome if you have the time.

    5. Glenda Jones says

      November 12, 2019 at 8:27 pm

      I will be using the biggest insta pot I can borrow and probably will be cooking 8-10 lbs of meatballs.
      How much water do you recommend . I have never cooked in one before.

      Reply
      • Dee says

        November 14, 2019 at 8:11 am

        It depends on the water needed for the size you use and if you are doubling or tripling the ingredients. Frozen meatballs will also release liquid as they thaw, so you would probably need around 1 1/2 cups at the most.

    6. Jen says

      November 06, 2019 at 9:24 pm

      Great recipe! Is the addition of the oil so that the sauce doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot? I sometimes have that problem as my pot has a ‘hot spot’ but the oil might help!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        November 07, 2019 at 7:51 am

        Yes! I just like to add a thin layer of oil to prevent sticking, and it works. 🙂

      • Jen says

        November 07, 2019 at 6:25 pm

        Perfect, thanks!

    7. Rick says

      October 13, 2019 at 3:33 pm

      Making these now, i missed the "do not stir" message in the recipe... hoping for the best!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        October 15, 2019 at 6:32 pm

        Hope it worked out for you, Rick! 🙂

    8. Paula says

      September 15, 2019 at 1:30 pm

      Are these suppose
      To be put on the rack
      Or place directly in
      The water?

      Reply
      • Dee says

        September 16, 2019 at 7:53 am

        They go directly in the pot -- no trivet needed.

    9. Jana Miller says

      August 29, 2019 at 2:49 pm

      Can I use barbecue sauce instead of chili sauce?

      Reply
      • Dee says

        August 29, 2019 at 3:31 pm

        Yes, that would be fine.

    10. Cheryl Blake says

      July 30, 2019 at 3:55 pm

      I've made these in the crock pot. This is so much quicker and just as good.5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        July 30, 2019 at 8:31 pm

        Thanks, Cheryl! I love that the IP makes cooking so much faster! 🙂

    11. Miz Helen says

      January 22, 2019 at 7:10 am

      Your Instant Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs will be a great addition to any big game day. I look forward to trying these, pinning the recipe. Hope you are having a great week and staying warm. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday and come back soon!
      Miz Helen5 stars

      Reply
    12. James says

      January 21, 2019 at 6:52 am

      Made these for the games yesterday. What a hit!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        January 21, 2019 at 10:51 am

        So happy to hear this, James. Glad you liked it!

    13. Mary Walton says

      January 21, 2019 at 12:28 am

      I’ve never had a meatball like this, but it sounds intriguing!The addition of grape jelly makes me think fondly of a family recipe that used grape jelly as well. I bet these meatballs would be a fan favorite at any gameday party!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        January 21, 2019 at 11:08 am

        We made them again, and they really are perfect for gameday. Thanks, Mary!

    14. Angie says

      January 20, 2019 at 6:42 pm

      We love those grape jelly meatballs. I can't wait to try them out in my Instant Pot!

      Reply
    15. Anna says

      January 18, 2019 at 2:14 pm

      These meatballs are a great party appetizer! I love that I can make them in my IP!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        January 20, 2019 at 9:14 pm

        Thanks, Anna. They are perfect in the IP! 🙂

    16. Krista says

      January 18, 2019 at 10:43 am

      This is a great instant pot recipes to save for the Super Bowl!

      Reply
    17. Taylor W says

      January 17, 2019 at 6:56 am

      I make these in the slow cooker all the time but have never tried the instant pot! I'll have to try it out!5 stars

      Reply
    18. Melanie Bauer says

      January 17, 2019 at 12:35 am

      Sounds so yummy and perfect! I really love quick and easy recipes like this, absolutely a must try!5 stars

      Reply
    19. Chrissie Baker says

      January 16, 2019 at 1:43 pm

      This looks so yummy! I would love to try this recipe. I am definitely a meatball and jelly person :)!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        January 17, 2019 at 9:12 am

        It's a classic, and it's sooo easy! 🙂

    20. Mahy Elamin says

      January 16, 2019 at 1:38 pm

      I followed the recipe and they turned out great! Thank you for the recipe. YUM!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        January 17, 2019 at 9:11 am

        So glad to hear this! Thanks so much! 🙂

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    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

    More about me →

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