I adore French Onion Soup, so making these Instant Pot French Onion Meatballs was calling me. The savory caramelized onions with a delicious broth smothered in cheese. YES PLEASE! Bring me more. Serve these little gems as an appetizer or over pasta or rice for a meal. You will love them.
I want to introduce you to a fellow blogger, her name is Jennifer and is the creative dynamite behind Take Two Tapas. I love her site and the recipes she offers which is where this recipe for French Onion Meatballs is from.
Jennifer has such creative and fun recipes, she focuses on smaller portion recipes, like appetizers, party foods, and of course sweet treats. She recently posted a number of holiday recipes that are adorable.
Jennifer is a mom of all boys, Just. Like. Me! I've come to learn that it takes a special mom to raise all boys, but let me tell you. I love it. I love being out numbered and I love the drive for life my boys have. I've always enjoyed connecting with other Mom's of all boys. It's just fun.
I was first introduced to Tapas on a trip to Barcelona, Spain. We walked into a crowded Tapas Bar and were motioned to take a seat. We quickly realized there was no menu, you just pointed at plates of appetizers motioning you wanted one. It was intimidating to say the least and I wondered how we would ever figure out what to pay.
The experience left me changed forever. It was a memory I cherish. And the Tapas, everything I tasted was delicious. Don't ask me what I ate, I don't really know. No one spoke much English so it was really difficult to know. haha
What are Tapas?
Tapas are traditionally a small savory dish, an appetizer of Spanish cuisine. It's not uncommon to enjoy Tapas as an entire meal and let me tell you. It's fun! So many varieties and flavors. It's an experience if you travel.
But let me tell you about how to make Instant Pot French Onion Meatballs. This is a fun recipe and although they are wonderful as an appetizer that everyone will love. I challenge you to serve them over rice or noodles because it's a meal we have truly enjoyed. And don't hesitate to see Jennifer's Recipe for French Onion Meatballs made in the Instant Pot because after all, it is her recipe!
Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 medium sweet onions
- ⅓ cup white wine
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 4 ounces Gruyere cheese, grated
- 1 pkg frozen Italian Meatballs
How to make Instant Pot French Onion Meatballs
- Set Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker to Saute and wait until it reads "Hot"
- Add Butter and sliced onions and saute. Cook for 10-12 minutes or until onions begin to turn brown and caramelize. I own 4 Pressure Cookers and each one tends to saute a little differently. I find some are quicker than others. So watch your onions, they may cook faster than mine did!
- Add fresh Thyme and garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes
- Sprinkle flour over onions and stir.
- Add 1 cup of broth to deglaze Instant Pot by lifting up any stuck bits
- Turn off Instant Pot
- Add in remaining broth, wine, mustard, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and stir
- Place frozen meatballs on top and close lid making sure pressure valve is in the closed position
- Set to Pressure Cook High for 1 minute and Quick Release the Pressure
- Serve as an Appetizer with Toothpicks OR over Rice or Noodles as a meal
This is a keeper recipe but there are so many other fantastic recipes found on her site. She loves Meatballs like I do, so make sure to check out all her Party Meatball Appetizers too! But truthfully I can't wait to try these Caramel Apple Empanadas. Don't they look wonderful?
So the next time you host a party make it a Tapas Bar, and fill your trays with savory appetizers. Your guests will love the small bites where they can choose what they like best. It's so fun and memorable and Delicious!
Michaela from An Affair From The Heart organized this fun Freaky Friday Blog Hop and I'm thrilled to be apart of it. It's a fun opportunity to meet other foodies and share their recipes. So take a look and enjoy some of these other amazing bloggers and their delicious recipes.
Take a look at all of our 2020 Freaky Friday Fall Edition Recipes:
- An Affair from the Heart - Instant Pot Chicken & Rice Soup
- An Affair from the Heart - Honey Corn Bread
- Aunt Bee's Recipes - Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars
- Devour Dinner - Instant Pot French Onion Meatballs
- House of Nash Eats - Slow Cooker Crack Chicken
- Life Currents - Cheesy Shrimp Dip
- Life, Love & Good Food - Lemon Garlic Smashed Potatoes
- Or Whatever You Do - Traeger Grilled Parmesan Halibut
- Sugar Dish Me - Whipped Shortbread Cookies
- Take Two Tapas - Pork Tenderloin Sliders
- The Foodie Affair - Easy Greek Style Cauliflower Rice Salad
- The Speckled Palate - Upside Down Cranberry Cake
- West Via Midwest - Hawaiian Pulled Pork (Kalua Pork Recipe)
Quick Tip
If you want to plan ahead, saute onions in advance since this is the most time consuming part of the recipe. Then when you are planning your meal, add sautéed onions to Instant Pot / Pressure cooker along with other ingredients and cook. You will be eating in no time.
How to Store Leftover Meatballs
Meatballs can be stored in an airtight container and kept in the refrigerator to enjoy later.
What Cheese is Best?
For this recipe I would recommend Gruyere Cheese. The flavor is excellent and the cheese melts smooth. You could also use a combination of Gruyere cheese and Swiss if you like.
Can you make on the Stove?
You can of course make this recipe using your stove. Use a large stock pot to saute onions and follow the directions. Simmer over medium/low heat until frozen meatballs reach 160 degrees internal temperature.
Instant Pot French Onion Meatball
Ingredients
- 4 Tbs Butter
- 2 Sweet Onions - Sliced Thin
- 2 Cups Beef Broth
- ⅓ Cup White Wine
- 2 Tbs Dijon Mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tbs Balsamic Vinegar
- 1 Tbs Fresh Thyme
- 3 Garlic Cloves - Minced
- 3 Tbs Flour
- ½ Cup Gruyere cheese - Grated
- 1 pkg Frozen Meatballs
Instructions
- Set Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker to Saute and wait until it reads “Hot”
- Add Butter and sliced onions and saute. Cook for 10-12 minutes or until onions begin to turn brown and caramelize.
- Add fresh Thyme and garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutesSprinkle flour over onions and stir.
- Add 1 cup of broth to deglaze Instant Pot by lifting up any stuck bits
- Turn off Instant PotAdd in remaining broth, wine, mustard, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and stir
- Place frozen meatballs on top and close lid making sure pressure valve is in the closed position
- Set to Pressure Cook High for 1 minute and Quick Release the Pressure
- Serve as an Appetizer with Toothpicks OR over Rice or Noodles as a meal
Notes
Nutrition Disclaimer
All nutrition values are approximate and calculated by a plugin and are provided as a courtesy. Adding or subtracting ingredients will change the nutritional value.
Melissa
Delicious and simple! Took no effort at all and even my young children loved it. It will be added to our bi weekly rotation for sure!
I didn't have the wine but just used more broth instead!
Devour Dinner
Thanks Melissa! I'm so happy you enjoyed this recipe, we sure love it too! Substituting broth for wine is a great idea. So glad you loved it.
Danielle
Made this as the main course. It was fantastic!
Jason
Oh my gosh! Made these today and they are amazing!!! So tasty. Thank you for easy and delicious recipe
Devour Dinner
Hi Jason! So glad you enjoyed this recipe. This is a fun appetizer or dinner recipe and oh so delicious too!
Long
Very tasty. I really enjoyed it with my Comte stuffed meatballs and put a little cheese on the top. Thank you
Jessica
French onion soup finger food. Pure genius!!!
Mark
When do you add the cheese?
Devour Dinner
Hi Mark, the cheese is added at the end on top. If you are making appetizers I place cheese on top and melt. When serving over pasta I will add some cheese to the pot and allow to melt with the meatballs and onions and then garnish with extra cheese on top.
Molly Pisula
These look so yummy--what a fun appetizer recipe!
Devour Dinner
I am in love with appetizers. Such a fun way to enjoy food, 2 bites at a time. 😉
Amy Nash
Holy cow these meatballs were SO good! Probably my new favorite IP recipe! And I love how they can be served in so many ways!
Devour Dinner
So glad you liked this fun recipe. We sure love them too!
Amy Nash
This is my new favorite IP recipe of all time! These meatballs were so easy and so good! My whole family gobbled them up, which was only a bummer because I was hoping to have some leftovers for lunch tomorrow! Definitely keeping this recipe to make again.
Devour Dinner
I always hope for "leftovers" and when meals are eaten up I'm thrilled and sad because I wanted more! haha. This is one of those recipes.
Sharon
Dumb question.....but when do you add the cheese?
Devour Dinner
I add the cheese after the cooking process is complete and I also add a little on top when I make as appetizers.
Brandi
French Onion ANYTHING is my favorite! These meatballs are a must try! Love finding new ways to use my instant pot.
Nicole Johnson
I love French Onion anything, so meatballs are a BIG YES here. Looks amazing!
Erin
Gosh, these meatballs are simply perfect. I love all things French Onion, and the fact that you can serve these beauties over pasta or as an appetizer makes me so happy!
Debi
I love that these are made in the Instant Pot. And so versatile!
Sandra Shaffer
Small bites are my favorite way to eat. This is a great idea for an appetizer and so nice that the meatballs are frozen. Makes this recipe simple to put together.
Sheila Thigpen
Love these sophisticated little meatballs and all the delicious ways you can serve them!
michele
French onion chicken is one of my favorite recipes... and now you tell me about doing meatballs with that cheese, onions and that heavenly sauce? Brilliant! Such a great idea!
Angela
Love! So simple but so much flavor! A sure hit at any get together. I am looking forward to trying out this recipe.
Michaela Kenkel
I love that you served these in so many different ways! My mind is spinning with ideas! I am heading to the store to get the ingredients for these this afternoon, because like you, I LOVE French Onion Soup! These are a winner!
Devour Dinner
Hi Michaela! This is a winner recipe for sure! And let me tell you, there is no wrong way to enjoy these yummy meatballs! You will love this fun recipe!
Jennifer Stewart
So glad you loved this recipe as much as I did! They are so yummy and easy to make in the IP!
Devour Dinner
Hi Jennifer! We have loved this recipe of yours. It's so fun and easy and oh so good too!
Sarah
Could you cook your noodles in the insta pot with the meatballs?
Devour Dinner
Hi Sarah, you could give it a try, I have not tested it. Let me know how it turns out.