HOMEMADE MEATBALLS WITH JELLY & CHILI SAUCE
These instant pot meatballs with jelly and chili sauce are one of my favorite beef recipes. My other favorite is this best meatloaf If you need something to bring to potluck or a party then these grape jelly meatballs are a must! I guarantee, they will be the first thing people devour.
You can make your own batch of chili sauce or buy it. Both ways are delicious! I noticed most of the meatballs recipes I’ve seen use grape jelly.
Grape jelly is amazing but I really love using strawberry. I think I like better than grape but you can use whatever you like.
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS
This recipe works because, the sweet and tangy flavors are amazing. The easy meatballs are flavorful, tender and juicy thanks to the instant pot and they are not frozen but homemade so the flavor is way better! The jelly and chili sauce whips up in about 25 minutes, unlike the slow cooker which takes about 4-6 hours. And lastly, it’s easy and kid friendly. Don’t like ground beef then use ground chicken or turkey.
I won’t judge if you use frozen meatballs but if you have time, try homemade. They’re way better! I’m surprised I’ve only seen a couple grape jelly recipes made with homemade meatballs on the web but now there’s one more on the nets!
HOW TO MAKE INSTANT POT MEATBALLS
Instant pot meatballs are the best! They come out so tender and juicy. You’ll be happy eating them without sauce and I bet you won’t even miss it. The meat mixture is quick and easy. Just throw everything in a bowl mix gently and then make the meatballs. These take about 27 minutes to cook which includes the time it takes the pressure cooker to come to pressure.
1. PREP INGREDIENTS
2. MEATBALLS
Simply add the ground beef, eggs, breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup beef broth, garlic, salt and pepper to a bowl. Mix gently to combine.
4. INSTANT POT MEATBALLS
Next, using a tablespoon, scoop the mixture to make meatballs. Add the remaining broth to the instant pot then the meatballs. It’s okay to stack them. Lock the lid. Make sure it’s sealed. Set to high pressure for 7 minutes. Let the ip naturally release once done. Drain the liquids remove the meatballs and set to the side.
Pour the beef broth to the instant pot then add the meatballs. You’ll need to stack them. Press saute button. Lock the lid.
Make sure it’s sealed. Set to high pressure for 7 minutes. Let the ip naturally release once done. Remove the meatballs. Set to the side then drain the liquids.
3. JELLY MEATBALLS
Add the jelly, the chili sauce, mustard, and the rest of the ingredients to the instant pot. Mix to combine.
Press saute button. Saute until the sauce is thickened to your preference. Add the meatballs back to the instant pot. Toss to coat. Serve with the sauce or store the sauce for another dinner. It’s amazing on salmon too!
WHAT TO SERVE WITH JELLY MEATBALLS
There’s a lot of delicious sides that work well with with these cocktail meatballs. I have listed them below.
- Mashed potatoes
- Basmati rice
- Fried rice
- Baked potatoes
- Potato salad
- Mac and cheese
HEALTHY VEGGIE SIDES
- Mashed cauliflower
- Broccoli
- Asparagus
- String beans
- Carrots
- Cabbage
Homemade Meatballs with Jelly and Chili Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup chili sauce
- 3 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- 1/8 tsp pepper
- 1 cup grape or strawberry jelly
- 1/8 tsp chili powder
Meatballs
- 2 lb ground beef
- 6 tbsp bread crumbs
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 3/4 cup beef broth
- salt and pepper for taste
Instructions
- To a large bowl add 1/4 cup of the beef broth and the meatball mixture into a bowl. Gently combine. Scoop a tablespoon size of the meat mixture and roll into a meatball.
- Add the rest of the broth to the instant then the meatballs. It's okay to stack. Lock the lid. Make sure it's sealed. Set to high pressure for 7 minutes. Let the ip naturally release once done. Remove the meatballs. Set to the side then drain the liquids.
- Add the jelly sauce. Press saute button. Saute until the sauce is thickened to your preference. Add the meatballs back to the instant pot. Toss to coat. Serve with the sauce or store the sauce for another dinner. It's amazing on salmon too!
Notes
COOK TIPS
Meatballs: Lightly oil the palms of your hand with vegetable oil. This will help to roll the meatball easily and prevent the meat from sticking to your hands. This recipe makes about 50 meatballs. Feel free to half the recipe. Leftover Sauce: You can store the leftover sauce in a container in the fridge and top it with your favorite fish. I love to use it over fish since the flavors remind me of this salmon with rhubarb chili sauce Frozen Meatballs: You can use this recipe with frozen meatballs.
If you think these grape jelly meatballs look good, save it to your Pinterest Board or share it on Facebook. Don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest too!
TOOLS USED TO MAKE THIS
Instant Pot Duo60 6 Quart 7-in-1
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER GREAT BEEF RECIPES
The glaze on these meatballs look perfect. I love my Instant Pot and can’t wait to give this recipe a try. 🙂
Erika
To be honest, I don’t know if I have ever seen grape jelly in the grocery stores. Maybe I need to pay closer attention so that I can make this. This looks so good!!
Absolutely love this unique creation. The sauce just looks so so amazing. I can’t wait to try this in my IP.
I’m really late on seeing this recipe, but since I recently bought my Instant Pot this would be the perfect opportunity to try the meatball recipe I’ve wanted to make forever! It worked for my chicken and dumplings craving so why not these too?!
I absolutely love my instant pot. The instant pot jelly meatballs are ridiculously good.. You won’t be able to eat just one lol. If you try it let me know the outcome. I recently made some chicken breast in it and they came out so juicy. I then made it into chicken salad. You have to try it! It was delish!
What a great idea for a party! I mean, who doesn’t love meatballs? And that sweet and spicy glaze is perfect, and cooking these meatballs in the Instant Pot makes it a breeze.
Thank you Amanda!
I love the idea of these jelly and chili meatballs. I’ve never used grape or strawberry jelly. Can’t wait to try this. Going to pin for later!
Jacqueline Debono
I’ve seen these floating through my Pinterest feed several times this week and every time they stop me in my tracks. We had a good family friend who used to use grape jelly in her meatballs recipe but I never got around to asking her for it. So glad to have your recipe now so I can make them for myself. DELICIOUS!
Haha I hope you can give it a try! They are so amazing! My kids just gobbles them up!
I have actually never tried frozen meatballs, but I agree. Homemade is where it is at!!
These look perfect. I am buying an instant pot as soon as I move to my new place. Bookmarking this until then ::)
Thank you so much Cathleen! You are going to have a ball with your Instant Pot!
I make this for my kiddos all the time! I love how easy it is, and it is slow cooker friendly as well. I sometimes like to use cranberry sauce in place of grape jelly around the holidays if I have leftovers!
Cheese Curd In Paradise
Someone on Facebook mentioned they love to use cranberry sauce too. I’ll have to try it! Thank you!
I love combining sweet and savory flavors. And this looks so delicious! I think it’s great that you added such an extensive list on how to serve these delicious meatballs too.
I’m always thinking about sides so I always try to post side ideas with my recipes. I’m sure it can help someone out. Thank you!
What a fantastic dish to make for last minute dinner or potluck meal. These meatballs with jelly and chili sauce look so tasty and easy.
Thank you Kelly!