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5.0 from 30 votes

Gochujang Meatballs Appetizer - Instant Pot & Stove Top

Easy Meatballs appetizer recipe with Gochujang ketchup and garlic sauce. In the Instant Pot or on Stove Top. Use Trader Joe's frozen meatballs to make like super easy and simple!

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 368 kcal
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Fusion

Ingredients

  • 1 bag meatballs (frozen) (20 oz Trader Joe's frozen mini meat balls)
sauce
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 Tbsp Gochujang (add 1-2 tsp extra to make it more spicy)
  • 2 Tbsp ketchup
  • 2 Tbsp soy sauce (Jin Ganjang)
  • 2 Tbsp garlic (chopped)
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • 1 Tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce 
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp onion powder

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a bowl, add all the sauce ingredients and mix.
Stove Top
  1. In a thick bottom pot, add the sauce and cook on medium heat for few minutes until it starts to bubble.
  2. To the pot with sauce, add all a bag of frozen meatballs. Turn the meatballs to make sure everyone is covered by the sauce. Turn heat to medium-low and then to low once it starts to bubble. Simmer for 30 minutes. Turn over meatballs 2-3 times during.
Instant Pot
  1. In the instant pot, add the frozen meatballs then cover with sauce. Stir until meatballs are evenly coated. Cover with a glass lid (no pressure cooking needed) and select SAUTE function and press adjust to select LESS heat. Let it simmer for 15 minutes then turn off. Select SLOW COOK function and choose MORE temperature then cook for 2 hrs. Switch to WARM setting to serve.
Slow Cooker (Crockpot)
  1. If using a slow cooker, you can simply add the meatballs and sauce and cook. First, stir until meatballs are evenly coated. Heat 2-3 hours on HIGH, stirring after 1 hour. Switch slow cooker to warm setting to serve.

Notes

  • The reason why I don't just do simple SLOW COOK in the IP is because Instant Pot's Slow Cook temperature is lower than a regular slow cooker and these meatballs are frozen so I just want it to get a head start.
  • To serve warm, use the WARM function on both the IP and the slow cooker. For stove top, use a heavy pot and it should stay warmer  a bit longer.

Nutrition Information

Calories 368kcal (18%) Carbohydrates 17g (6%) Protein 20g (40%) Fat 24g (37%) Saturated Fat 9g (45%) Cholesterol 82mg (27%) Sodium 381mg (16%) Potassium 406mg (12%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 14g (28%) Vitamin A 11IU (0%) Vitamin C 3mg (3%) Calcium 38mg (4%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 368

% Daily Value*

Calories 368kcal 18%
Carbohydrates 17g 6%
Protein 20g 40%
Fat 24g 37%
Saturated Fat 9g 45%
Cholesterol 82mg 27%
Sodium 381mg 16%
Potassium 406mg 9%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 14g 28%
Vitamin A 11IU 0%
Vitamin C 3mg 3%
Calcium 38mg 4%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.