Description
These Instant Pot Cranberry Meatballs are a flavorful and easy-to-make appetizer or main dish, featuring ground beef meatballs simmered in a tangy-sweet cranberry and chili sauce. The recipe combines simple ingredients and the convenience of an Instant Pot to deliver tender, juicy meatballs in just 37 minutes, perfect for parties or family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 3 tbsp minced onion
- 1/2 tsp dried parsley
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp coarse kosher sea salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil (canola, vegetable, or avocado)
Sauce
- 7 oz jellied cranberry sauce
- 6 oz Heinz Chili Sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/4 cup water or orange juice
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatballs: In a medium mixing bowl, combine breadcrumbs, milk, and egg. Let the mixture stand for 3 minutes to allow the breadcrumbs to soak. Add minced onion, dried parsley, garlic powder, coarse kosher salt, and ground black pepper. Mix in ground beef thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly combined.
- Form Meatballs: Use a cookie scoop for dinner-size meatballs or teaspoons for smaller appetizer-size bites. Shape the mixture into evenly sized balls to ensure even cooking.
- Cook Meatballs: Set the Instant Pot to SAUTE mode and heat the olive oil. Brown the meatballs in batches, turning to sear all sides. This step locks in flavor and improves texture.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the jellied cranberry sauce, Heinz Chili Sauce, brown sugar, and water or orange juice until well combined.
- Cook in Instant Pot: Pour the prepared sauce over the browned meatballs inside the Instant Pot. Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to MANUAL (or Pressure Cook) mode for 12 minutes. Once cooking time is complete, allow a natural pressure release to maintain the tenderness of the meatballs.
- Serve: Open the lid carefully, stir the meatballs to coat them evenly with the sauce, and serve immediately. Alternatively, keep warm in the Instant Pot for up to 3 hours until ready to enjoy.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Using orange juice instead of water in the sauce adds a citrusy brightness.
- Meatballs can be made smaller or larger depending on your preference.
- Leftover meatballs keep well refrigerated for 3-4 days and reheat nicely in the Instant Pot or microwave.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce mixture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 27 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
