Instant Pot Matzo Ball Soup

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 03/29/23
Instant Pot Matzo Ball Soup in bowls

The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 75 mins
Total: 95 mins
Servings: 6 servings

The broth for this Instant Pot matzo ball soup is so rich that your guests will think it simmered all day long on the stovetop. However, thanks to the pressure cooker, it is possible to have a flavorful broth in just 35 minutes. This version uses chicken thighs, but a cut-up three-pound chicken is an excellent alternative. Just make sure to use bone-in chicken for the very best flavor.

Matzo balls are Jewish dumplings made with matzo meal, and they are traditionally served in chicken soup. Unleavened matzo, similar to what was eaten by the fleeing Jews led from Egypt by Moses, is the one bread allowed during Passover. Matzo crackers and matzo meal are widely available year-round in the international aisle of most grocery stores. If you can't find matzo meal, it's easy to grind matzo crackers in your blender or food processor. Matzo balls take just a few minutes to mix and shape, and then they are simmered in the chicken broth to fluffy, delicious perfection. 

Tips for Making Matzo Ball Soup

  • When planning this soup, make sure you factor in enough time for the buildup and release of pressure. It will take about 25 to 30 minutes for the soup to reach pressure and then at least 30 minutes for natural release.
  • Chicken fat, or schmaltz, is a popular fat for matzo balls, but vegetable oil or duck fat are fine alternatives.
  • One easy way to get rendered chicken fat is to make the broth and then refrigerate it until the fat solidifies on top. Skim off the fat with a slotted spoon and transfer it to a small skillet. Cook over medium-low to medium heat just long enough to sizzle off any liquid (you'll know it's ready when the popping and sizzling stops). Then, make and chill the matzo balls, bring the broth to a boil, and proceed with the recipe.
  • When shaping the matzo balls, using slightly wet hands will keep the mixture from sticking to your hands and make for smoother, more uniform matzo balls.
  • For storage, remove leftover matzo balls from the soup and refrigerate them in a separate container.

Ingredients

For the Soup:

  • 2 1/2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

  • 2 quarts water

  • 4 ribs celery with leaves, cut into 2-inch lengths

  • 1 large onion, chopped

  • 4 carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks

  • 4 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed

  • 4 sprigs parsley

  • 1 large bay leaf, or 2 small

  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt, or to taste

  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

  • Chopped fresh dill leaves, or parsley, optional garnish

For the Matzo Balls:

  • 3 large eggs

  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, chicken schmaltz, or duck fat

  • 3/4 cup matzo meal

  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Instant Pot Matzo Ball Soup ingredients in bowls

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  2. Place the chicken thighs in the Instant Pot, followed by the water, celery, onion, carrots, garlic, parsley, bay leaf, kosher salt, and pepper.

    Chicken thighs, water, celery, onion, carrots, garlic, parsley, bay leaf, kosher salt, and pepper in an Instant Pot

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  3. Lock the lid in place and turn the valve to the sealing position. Select the manual setting, high pressure, and set the timer for 35 minutes. When the time is up, let the pressure release naturally for 30 minutes. Carefully release the remaining pressure.

    Instant Pot lid

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  4. Meanwhile, prepare the matzo ball mixture as the chicken and vegetables are cooking. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs until just slightly beaten. Add the vegetable oil or fat, matzo meal, salt, baking powder, and chopped parsley, if desired. Refrigerate the mixture until you are ready to shape and cook the matzo balls.

    Matzo ball mixture in a bowl, with a wooden spoon

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  5. With a slotted spoon, remove the chicken thighs and vegetables to a large bowl and set aside. Strain the broth through a fine-mesh strainer, discarding the solids (garlic pieces, leaves, etc.). Pour the broth back into the Instant Pot; set it on sauté and bring to a boil.

    Strained chicken broth in a bowl

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  6. With moistened hands, shape the matzo mixture into small balls. You should have 12 to 15 matzo balls.

    Uncooked matzo balls on a platter

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  7. Drop the matzo balls into the boiling broth. Turn the sauté function to the low setting, 30 minutes. Cover the pot and simmer the matzo balls for 40 minutes. Note: The Instant Pot will automatically turn to the "keep warm" setting after 30 minutes, so cancel the setting at that point and set it to low sauté again for the additional 10 minutes. 

    Matzo balls and broth in an Instant Pot

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  8. As the matzo balls cook, chop the cooked vegetables. Remove the chicken from the bones and discard the skin and bones. Shred the chicken. 

    Chopped chicken, carrots, and celery on a wooden cutting board

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  9. Add the chopped vegetables and chicken back to the broth with the matzo balls and heat through.

    Matzo ball soup with vegetables in an Instant Pot

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  10. Add 2 matzo balls to each serving of soup.  Sprinkle servings with fresh chopped dill or parsley, if desired.

    Instant Pot Matzo Ball Soup in bowls

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

How to Store and Freeze Matzo Balls

  • Matzo balls can be stored cooked or uncooked in the refrigerator in an airtight container. For cooked matzo balls, they will keep in the fridge for three to four days; uncooked will keep for one to two days.
  • You can also store matzo balls in the freezer for up to three months.
  • Do not keep them in the soup as they can get too soggy and fall apart.

Recipe Variations

  • Add a dash of garlic powder to the matzo balls.
  • Add 1/2 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger or about 1/4 teaspoon of ginger powder.
  • Some recipes for matzo balls include water or seltzer water and no leavening ingredients. If desired, omit the baking powder and add 2 tablespoons of seltzer water to the matzo meal.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
443 Calories
23g Fat
32g Carbs
29g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 443
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 23g 29%
Saturated Fat 5g 27%
Cholesterol 214mg 71%
Sodium 918mg 40%
Total Carbohydrate 32g 12%
Dietary Fiber 3g 11%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 29g
Vitamin C 8mg 40%
Calcium 119mg 9%
Iron 3mg 16%
Potassium 531mg 11%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)