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    Home » Instant Pot Recipes

    Instant Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs

    Published: Jan 28, 2019 · Modified: Jan 8, 2021 by Abeer Rizvi · This post may contain affiliate links · 11 Comments

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    Quick and easy grape jelly meatballs recipe (cocktail meatballs), made with 3 simple ingredients in Instant pot or pressure cooker: Frozen meatballs, Bbq sauce and Grape jelly.

    These sweet and sour meatballs are one of the best appetizers to serve at dinner parties and especially game day and serves a big crowd.

    They are great for tailgating and potlucks.

    These are just as popular as my Grape Jelly Little Smokies (One Pot) and these Crockpot Little Smokies (Cocktail Smokies).

    Easy Grape Jelly Meatballs Recipe

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    What can I use instead of grape jelly?

    Currant jelly or apple jelly are good substitutes.

    What can I use instead of bbq sauce?

    Instead of bbq sauce, use sweet chili sauce, ketchup, apricot preserves, orange marmalade, cranberry sauce. Get as creative as you like! It's a personal preference.

    How do you make grape jelly meatballs in the oven? In the crockpot/ slow cooker? On Stovetop?

    • Oven Directions- Spread frozen meatballs in a large baking tray. Whisk together the grape jelly and bbq sauce in a bowl and pour it over the meatballs. Then, bake uncovered for about 30 minutes at 350 degrees or until meatballs become warm and sauce becomes thick.
    • Slow Cooker Directions- Add all the ingredients (except water) in the slow cooker and cook on high for 3 hours.
    • Stovetop Directions- Add all the ingredients (except water) in a nonstick pot and cook on medium high heat until sauce is reduced and becomes thick.

    How long do you cook frozen meatballs in instant pot/ pressure cooker?

    It takes about 15-20 minutes: 10 minutes of cook time, where pressure builds up and 5 minutes of pressure release time and an optional 5 minutes of cook time without lid to reduce liquid.

    Grape Jelly Cocktail Meatballs Recipe

    What to serve with these appetizer meatballs?

    Typically, they are served on their own but you can serve them with:

    • Pasta
    • Rice

    Can you freeze cocktail meatballs?

    Yes, once they are cooked, allow them to cool down completely. Then, store in a sealed freezer bag for up to 1 month.

    Tips and Techniques

    -Don't omit the water because without it, the mixture is too thick and pressure doesn't build up that well which can probably lead to burning.

    -Homemade meatballs from scratch can be used instead of the frozen ones.

    -A healthier alternative would be to use turkey meatballs.

    -Paprika is optional and adds a very subtle spicy kick. If you like spice, you can also try chili flakes, fresh jalapenos or even cayenne pepper.

    -The amount of jelly and bbq sauce can be adjusted, based on your preference.

    -If you are using cooked meatballs, you don't need to brown them first. If you are using uncooked meatballs, you should brown them first so that they hold their shape better during cooking and don't break apart.

    -How to thicken instant pot cocktail meatballs? If you would like the sauce to be thicker, cook without lid on the "Saute" setting until liquid is reduced to your desired consistency. Another option is to stir in some dissolved cornstarch and water.

    -You can keep these meatballs in the Instant Pot on the "Warm" setting until you are ready to serve.

    -Garnish options- Chopped cilantro, green onions or parsley.

    Variations

    -Cocktail Meatballs with Grape Jelly and Chili Sauce- Replace bbq sauce with sweet chili sauce.

    -Meatballs with Grape Jelly and Ketchup- Replace bbq sauce with ketchup. However, I find this sauce to be very sweet and don't like it too much.

    Instant Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs Recipe

    Other One Pot Appetizer Recipes

    • Bacon Wrapped Smokies (One Pan)
    • Bacon Wrapped Dates (One Pan)
    • Easy Pigs in a Blanket (One Pan)
    • Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe (One Pot)

    Recipe

    Easy Grape Jelly Meatballs Recipe (Instant Pot)

    Easy Grape Jelly Meatballs (Instant Pot)

    Abeer
    Quick and easy grape jelly meatballs recipe, made with 3 simple ingredients in Instant pot or pressure cooker: Frozen meatballs, Bbq sauce and Grape jelly.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6 People
    Calories 527 kcal

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    Ingredients
      

    • 1 jar Grape jelly 18 oz. jar
    • 1 bottle Bbq sauce 18 oz. bottle
    • ¾ cup Water
    • 2 pounds Frozen meatballs

    Instructions
     

    • Add grape jelly, bbq sauce, water in the Instant Pot and mix until combined.
    • Add frozen meatballs and mix until coated.
    • Put the lid on and turn the the valve to “Sealing.”
    • Select “Manual” mode and set the timer for 10 minutes.
    • When the cook time is over, turn the valve to “Venting” and let the pressure release.
    • Mix everything together gently. If the sauce is too thin, turn on the “Saute” setting and cook for 5-10 minutes until excess liquid evaporates and sauce is reduced and becomes thick. 

    Video

    Notes

    • Read all my tips above.
    • Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 527kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 26gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 108mgSodium: 861mgPotassium: 609mgSugar: 25gVitamin A: 180IUVitamin C: 1.5mgCalcium: 46mgIron: 1.8mg

    An automated tool is used to calculate the nutritional information. As such, I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information provided for any recipe on this site.

    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below or rate and tag @1potrecipes on social

    Happy cooking everyone!

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    Comments

    1. Linda J Wallace says

      February 06, 2019 at 3:36 pm

      I made this for superbowl party, it was gone by the first quarter. Do you have any receipes for ground beef?5 stars

      Reply
      • Abeer Rizvi says

        February 11, 2019 at 9:34 pm

        So happy to hear that. I have a few ground beef recipes on the blog:
        Beef barley soup: https://onepotrecipes.com/beef-barley-soup-recipe/
        Vegetable beef soup:https://onepotrecipes.com/vegetable-beef-soup-recipe/
        Chili mac: https://onepotrecipes.com/chili-mac-recipe/
        Easy chili: https://onepotrecipes.com/easy-chili-recipe/
        Pasta fagioli: https://onepotrecipes.com/pasta-fagioli-recipe/
        Lasagna soup: https://onepotrecipes.com/one-pot-lasagna-soup-recipe/

        Reply
    2. Maggie says

      January 29, 2020 at 6:32 pm

      I appreciate the nutritional information, but how many meatballs is considered a serving?5 stars

      Reply
      • Abeer Rizvi says

        June 01, 2022 at 11:35 am

        I don't know about the exact number of meatballs. Never counted that. This recipe easily serves 6 people though.

        Reply
    3. Paul garnett says

      December 10, 2020 at 1:04 pm

      So glad you are out there to help us ninja foodi and slow cooking illiterate peoples. Lol.5 stars

      Reply
      • Abeer Rizvi says

        December 10, 2020 at 6:21 pm

        Awww! You are too sweet. Glad I was able to help!

        Reply
    4. Ashelyn says

      November 18, 2021 at 9:56 pm

      Do you leave the metal tray thing in the bottom or take it out 

      Reply
      • Abeer Rizvi says

        January 15, 2022 at 10:43 am

        You don't need the metal tray thing.

        Reply
    5. sTiCkMaN hOoK pLaY says

      December 08, 2024 at 12:42 am

      I made these Instant Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs for a family gathering, and they were a hit! The sweet and savory combo is amazing, and it’s so easy to whip up. I’ll definitely be adding this to my regular rotation. Thanks for sharing such a delicious recipe!

      Reply
    6. Tracy says

      December 18, 2024 at 3:05 am

      Planning to do this for Christmas lunch snacks in my 3 qt.! I think I'll layer it - water first, then meatballs, then jelly and BBQ sauce on top, stir at the end - to avoid potential burn notice. I love that it can "Keep Warm" in the Instant Pot for an extended time!

      Reply
    7. mp3 Juices says

      May 04, 2025 at 12:08 pm

      These grape jelly meatballs look absolutely delicious! I love how easy the Instant Pot makes it to prepare this dish. Can't wait to try it at my next gathering! Thanks for sharing the recipe!

      Reply

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    Recipe developer. Photographer. Mommy & Foodie. Welcome to OnePot Recipes, a place where I share my love for cooking using One Pot, Instant Pot and Stock Pot!

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