Lamb Meatballs in the Instant Pot

by Dorothy Reinhold on June 24, 2019


Print This Post Print This Post Flavorful Lamb Meatballs use the Instant Pot to good effect -- the Indian spices are toasted, the meatballs are pressure cooked, and then they get a final sear in the same pot. Serve as an appetizer or a main dish, with cucumber raita or a coconut cilantro chutney.

Flavorful Lamb Meatballs use the Instant Pot to good effect — the Indian spices are toasted, the meatballs are pressure cooked, and then they get a final sear in the same pot. Serve as an appetizer or a main dish, with cucumber raita or a coconut cilantro chutney.

There are two rules of thumb about meatballs, in my opinion.

  • First, everybody loves a meatball.
  • Second, where there are meatballs, there is a party.

Lamb Meatballs in the Instant Pot could either be an appetizer bite or a main dish, depending on your mood. 

Instant Pot Indian Lamb MeatballsAt my house we had our Lamb Meatballs for dinner with rice, but you go ahead and be waaaay more authentic if you have the time and energy and eat with an Indian bread. Pair these with a Cucumber Raita or a Coconut Cilantro Chutney (recipes below in recipe card), or just stir some cumin and lime juice into plain yogurt for a no-recipe sauce, and eat the meatball leftovers wrapped in a naan or pita. 

But who are we kidding? There aren’t going to be leftovers.

Lamb Meatballs in the Instant Pot easy recipe on ShockinglyDelicious.comLet’s make Lamb Meatballs!

Lamb Meatballs in the Instant Pot

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 60 minutes

Lamb Meatballs in the Instant Pot

Flavorful Lamb Meatballs use the Instant Pot to good effect -- the Indian spices are toasted, the meatballs are pressure cooked, and then they get a final sear in the same pot. Serve as an appetizer or a main dish, with cucumber raita or a coconut cilantro chutney.

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1 tablespoon finely minced fresh cilantro leaves (I used 2 tablespoons)
  • 1 tablespoon finely minced fresh mint leaves
  • 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 1/2 small red onion, finely minced
  • 1 pound (500g) ground lamb
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • TO SERVE ALONGSIDE: Cucumber Raita, Coconut Cilantro Chutney (recipes below)

Directions

  1. Using the SAUTE function on NORMAL, cook the cumin, salt, pepper and cardamom in the inner pot for about 1 minute, until fragrant. Transfer the spices to a large bowl and shake until evenly combined. Add the cilantro and mint; toss to combine. Add the garlic and onion and toss to combine.
  2. Add the lamb to the spice mixture; using your hands, gently combine until the ingredients are evenly distributed (don’t overmix or the meatballs will be tough).
  3. Place the trivet in the inner pot and add the water. Place a small plate on top of the trivet.
  4. Using a tablespoon or mini ice cream scoop, scoop up the mixture and shape into 24 small meatballs. Place the meatballs on the plate in the inner pot, stacking if necessary.
  5. Secure the lid and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes.
  6. Once cooking is complete, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then quick-release the remaining pressure. Remove the plate, trivet and meatballs. Empty the water the wipe out the pot.
  7. Using the SAUTE function on HIGH, heat 1 tablespoon oil for about 1 minute, until shimmering. Sear half the meatballs in batches, turning frequently, for about 4 minutes, until browned on all sides and no longer pink inside. Use the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to cook the remaining meatballs.
  8. Transfer the meatballs to a platter; serve with raita or chutney for dipping.
  9. Makes 24 small meatballs.
  10. RAITA: 2 cups plain yogurt, 1 medium English cucumber (or 2 Kirby cukes) finely chopped or grated, 1/2 cup minced red onion, 1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro, 2 garlic cloves, grated, 1 tablespoon minced fresh mint leaves, 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon mustard seeds, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Combine yogurt through lime juice in a medium bowl. Heat oil in a small skillet over medium, add mustard seeds, cumin and salt and cook for 1 minute, until seeds pop. Transfer raita to a serving bowl, pour the tempered spices over the top and serve.
  11. COCONUT CILANTRO CHUTNEY: 2 cups unsweetened coconut flakes, 1 cup milk (or use full fat coconut milk if you want to go vegan), 1 Serrano chile, minced, 2 cups roughly chopped cilantro, 1 cup mint leaves, 2 teaspoons minced ginger, 2 teaspoon minced garlic, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice, 1/4 cup water. Combine coconut and milk in the medium bowl, soak for the 20 minutes and drain. Place coconut, chiles, cilantro, chiles, ginger, garlic, salt and cumin in a food processor; process until thick and smooth. Stop the motor and scrape down the sides of the bowl, then add lime juice and water and process until smooth. Add more water if needed to create a smooth consistency. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Notes

Recipe source: “The Complete Indian Instant Pot Cookbook: 130 Traditional and Modern Recipes,” by Chandra Ram; 2018 Robert Rose Inc.; photo by Hugh Galdones. Used with permission.

Pro tip: For these meatballs (and for any meatballs, really!), mince the onion and herbs very finely so you don’t have big chunks in the meatballs.

https://www.shockinglydelicious.com/lamb-meatballs-in-the-instant-pot/

pin this please!Pin the image below to your Pinterest board to save this recipe!

Indian Lamb Meatballs in the IP

About this recipe:Indian Instant Pot Cookbook on ShockinglyDelicious.com

This wonderful recipe comes from a recent cookbook, “The Complete Indian instant Pot Cookbook: 130 Traditional & Modern Recipes,” by Chandra Ram (Robert Rose Publishing, 2018; $20-$25). It has recipes from all over India, many influenced by the author’s experience growing up as a first-generation American. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America, and cooked in restaurants and at home, so she is uniquely qualified to speak to home cooks, whether we are new to Indian food or more experienced in the kitchen. The best part of it is she makes it easy to get Indian food on the table for a weeknight dinner, and her approachable style makes modern Indian cooking accessible to all adventurous eaters who are ready to look beyond the “curry house” stereotype of Indian food.

Thanks for visiting…are you hungry for more? Follow Shockingly Delicious on…

FACEBOOK   |   PINTEREST   |   INSTAGRAM   |   TWITTER

…for all the latest recipes, ideas and updates!

This post contains affiliate/referral links. It is a way for this site to earn advertising fees (at no cost to you) by advertising or linking to certain products and/or services that I approve and prefer.

{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }

Sara Welch June 27, 2019 at 12:32 pm

Another great recipe for the Instant Pot! This looks like a restaurant worthy dish, indeed!

Reply

Tamara Andersen June 27, 2019 at 12:27 pm

I must agree – meatballs and parties go hand-in-hand! I absolutely love ground lamb and Indian flavors, so I’m looking forward to making your lamb meatballs in my Instant Pot!

Reply

Beth Pierce June 27, 2019 at 12:08 pm

Wow! What a robust and perfectly seasoned dish! Served this for dinner and had smiling faces all around the dinner table!

Reply

Carol Borchardt June 27, 2019 at 11:24 am

I have an Instant Pot but haven’t used it yet; can you believe it? I think these meatballs are the perfect way to break it in because I love meatballs and am always looking for an easier way to make them! They look amazing!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold June 28, 2019 at 4:42 pm

Carol,
I had mine sitting in the box, intimidating me, for 6 months, and I finally pulled it out, looked at it and said, “I am not afraid of YOU!” It turned out to be fairly intuitive to use!

Reply

Stephanie June 27, 2019 at 8:51 am

These meatballs were so delicious! I love how easy they were to make in the instant pot!

Reply

Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert June 27, 2019 at 7:40 am

Oooh, these look heavenly!

Reply

Kimberly June 26, 2019 at 6:52 pm

These look and sound SO incredibly flavorful, can’t wait to try them!

Reply

Krista June 26, 2019 at 4:45 pm

What a delicious meatball recipe! I can’t wait to try this out! Thanks!

Reply

Vik June 26, 2019 at 10:18 am

These look so tasty! Can’t wait to make these

Reply

Lindsay Cotter June 26, 2019 at 8:59 am

Loving the flavors in these meatballs! Definitely a must make for dinner!

Reply

Kim Seghers June 26, 2019 at 8:08 am

Your Lamb Meatballs look amazing. I can’t wait to try them in my Instant Pot…yum!

Reply

Katerina @ diethood .com June 26, 2019 at 6:30 am

I can’t wait to try these!! They sound really, reeaaallly GOOD!!!

Reply

blog@lasesana June 25, 2019 at 10:57 pm

This is my firt time to know lamb meatballs, haven’t tried before, wondering how does it taste.

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold June 26, 2019 at 7:25 am

Lasesana,
If you like lamb, you are guaranteed to like these! They have spices associated with Indian flavors, and they’re really delicious!

Reply

Good cook June 25, 2019 at 10:55 pm

Well instant pot can work for anything. Thanks for the recipe.

Reply

Karen June 25, 2019 at 9:26 pm

These are so calling my name. I love lamb and I love that this recipe is made in the pressure cooker. I may kind of need that cookbook too.

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold June 26, 2019 at 7:26 am

Karen,
You DO kind of need that cookbook. It was nominated for an IACP award, in the single-subject category.

Reply

Cathy June 25, 2019 at 2:49 pm

These look like so much fun. I can’t wait to try them.

Reply

Laura @motherwouldknow June 25, 2019 at 2:45 pm

Toasted spices, ground lamb, and the instant pot – I can’t think of an easier or better way to go from hungry to happy. Love this dish! I’m a relative newby with the instant pot, but I think I could manage this.

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold June 25, 2019 at 5:48 pm

Laura,
Oh, you CERTAINLY can manage it! And I love your phrase, “from hungry to happy.” I’m stealing it!

Reply

Hadia June 25, 2019 at 2:27 pm

The lamb balls sound so enticing, and I love the feast you served with them, so yummy!

Reply

Ansh June 25, 2019 at 10:55 am

That’s a really good way to use the instant pot! Love the moist lamb meatballs!

Reply

Liz June 25, 2019 at 4:43 am

Ooh, these would be a huge hit at my house!! We love lamb and the chutney pushes these over the top!!!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold June 25, 2019 at 5:48 pm

Liz,
Just give me a straw for that cilantro chutney!

Reply

Leave a Comment

Previous post:

Next post: