Few things are as satisfying as juicy meatballs. If you’re looking for a tasty and convenient one-pot meal, Instant Pot frozen meatballs are the perfect solution. Transform frozen meatballs into a quick weeknight meal, appetizer, or weekly meal prep. These 5-minute meatballs are so good, you may never make meatballs any other way again!
What You Need to Make this Recipe
- Beef Broth: Use beef broth to add moisture to the Instant Pot to avoid a burn notification. You can also use water, chicken broth, or vegetable broth.
- Teriyaki Sauce: I chose to flavor the Instant Pot meatballs with G Hughes Teriyaki Sauce.
- Frozen Meatballs: Any store-bought bag of fully cooked beef or pork meatballs will work. I often buy Italian-Style Meatballs from Costco. Use turkey meatballs or chicken meatballs for a leaner option.
- Toppings: Garnish the Instant Pot frozen meatballs with fresh scallions and toasted sesame seeds.
Additions and Substitutions
When making frozen pre-cooked meatballs in the Instant Pot, use whatever sauce you prefer. While our recipe card recommends teriyaki sauce, experiment with traditional pasta sauce, sugo al pomodoro, BBQ sauce, gochujang, Buffalo sauce, orange marmalade, mushroom cream sauce, homemade beef gravy, grape jelly, or honey Sriracha sauce.
How to Make Instant Pot Frozen Meatballs
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Add the beef broth and teriyaki sauce to the Instant Pot. Then, add the meatballs over the top.
Step 2: Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 5 minutes, with a quick release.
Step 3: Remove the lid and transfer the meatballs to a serving dish. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and scallions, and enjoy.
Expert Tips
- Add the beef broth and teriyaki sauce to the Instant Pot before topping it with the frozen meatballs. Leave the sauce on the bottom and don’t stir until they finish cooking to avoid a burn notification.
- Cook the meatballs in your favorite sauce. Use teriyaki sauce as we do, or try pasta sauce (sugo al pomodoro), barbecue sauce, or make your own.
- Don’t overcrowd the Instant Pot. If you add too many meatballs, they won’t cook evenly.
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Serving Suggestions
- Serve the meatballs on a platter with toothpicks as a tasty appetizer for game day or a potluck with skhug or chimichurri.
- Complete the meal by serving cauliflower rice, rice, or quinoa on the side.
- Serve the meatballs Bahn mi style in a hoagie with mint, pickled vegetables, and zesty homemade coleslaw.
What to do With the Leftovers
- Refrigerate – Store the leftover meatballs in an airtight container for 5 days.
- Reheat – Warm the meatballs in the microwave or skillet on the stovetop.
- Repurpose – Feature the meatballs with teriyaki sauce in a rice bowl with edamame, pineapple, carrots, pickled onions, chiles, cucumber, and scallions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do frozen meatballs take to cook?
For fully cooked frozen meatballs, you need to set aside 4-5 minutes under high pressure in the Instant Pot.
How long to cook large meatballs in Instant Pot?
The cooking time for large frozen meatballs in the Instant Pot depends on the size of the meatballs you are using. However, you should cook large meatballs for about 7-9 minutes under high pressure.
Can you cook meatballs from frozen?
• Instant Pot: Follow our recipe guide for making Instant Pot meatballs.
• Oven: Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and line the frozen meatballs onto it. Preheat the oven to 350℉ (176℃) and bake for 20-25 minutes.
• Stovetop: Warm one tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the frozen meatballs and cook for 10-15 minutes or until they cook through, turning them occasionally for even cooking.
• Air fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 320℉ (160℃). Add the frozen meatballs to the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 10-12 minutes.
More Meatball Recipes:
Instant Pot Frozen Meatballs
- Serving Dish
- ¼ cup beef broth
- 1 cup teriyaki sauce
- 24 ounces frozen meatballs, fully cooked
- 3 scallions, thinly sliced, for garnish
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, for garnish
- Add the beef broth and teriyaki sauce to the Instant Pot. Then, add the meatballs over the top.
- Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 5 minutes, with a quick release.
- Remove the lid and transfer the meatballs to a serving dish. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and scallions, and enjoy.
- Add the beef broth and teriyaki sauce to the Instant Pot before topping it with the frozen meatballs. Leave the sauce on the bottom and don’t stir until they finish cooking to avoid a burn notification.
- Cook the meatballs in your favorite sauce. Use teriyaki sauce as we do, or try pasta sauce (sugo al pomodoro), barbecue sauce, or make your own.
- Don’t overcrowd the Instant Pot. If you add too many meatballs, they won’t cook evenly.
- The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.