The Best Instant Pot Chili
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Warm, comforting Instant Pot Chili is the perfect cool weather meal and this is the ABSOLUTE BEST CHILI I have ever eaten! Packed with fiber and nutrients, covered in cheese and sour cream get ready to fall in love!
I really hesitate to call any of my recipes The Best. It feels like Iâm putting a challenge out there and heaven knows, I AM NOT a competitive person.
Donât tell my younger sisters, but I used to silently cheer when the opposing team made points at their volleyball competitions because that meant we could leave sooner. Feels so good to confess that!
I also recall faking a rolled ankle in a basketball game as a 13-year-old so I could go home and read a book I was really excited about.
So yeah, donât bother to compete with me, Iâll probably just hand you the trophy.
By calling this amazing, deep, rich, flavorful, silky chili THE BEST, Iâm simply saying it is THE BEST CHILI I HAVE EVER HAD IN MY ENTIRE LIFE! No restaurant or chili potluck has ever made me as happy as this bowl of chili right here!
How To Cook Chili In Instant Pot
- Start by browning your ground beef , then drain any excess fat and return the liner to the pressure cooker.
- Dump in all of the ingredients and give it a good stir.
- Set to Chili/Beans setting or HIGH pressure and set for 18 minutes. Once its finished cooking release the pressure and youre done!
All thats left to do is add your favorite chili toppings!
We love adding shredded cheese, sour cream and diced green onions. Ill even throw some crunchy corn chips on top if I have them on hand.
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Where Does Chili Come From
For those who didnt know. Chili is a staple of Tex-Mex cuisine. It is not as many believe a typically Mexican dish. It originates in the US and is Texas official dish.
There are different variations of this famous dish. Some with beans, some without. Some with tomatoes, some without The one thing most of the different chilis have in common is that their main ingredients are ground beef and of course chili powder.
My recipe is fairly classic if one can say that about a recipe. Ground beef, kidney beans, canned tomatoes, chili powder.
However, my version has two interesting twists. First of all, I added tons of vegetables so it fits the Green Healthy Cooking crowd. Second, I made it in my Instant Pot to speed up the process.
Spend 20 minutes prepping, set your Instant Pot, and off you go relax while the Chili cooks itself!
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How To Cook Chili In The Instant Pot
The Instant Pot gives you the ability to saute and pressure cook the chili ingredients all in one vessel. Using the saute function, the onions and garlic cook first in the hot olive oil. Next, add the ground beef and cook until no longer pink. The spices then combine with the meat.
Tomato paste adds a little sweetness and concentrated flavor. The dice bell pepper, jalapenos, dried beans, and liquid ingredients go in last. The chili cooks using the manual function on high pressure until the beans are tender. Make sure to use a natural-release of the pressure cooker, quick-release would cause the small bits of food and liquid to splatter out of the release valve.
Tips For This Instant Pot Chili Recipe
- Be sure that you dont stir in the beans and tomatoes before pressure cooking. If you stir them in you are more likely to get the burn message.
- Depending on which chili powder you use and how spicy you like your chili, you can adjust the amount of chili powder. I use a milder chili powder and find 2 to 2 1/2 tablespoons to be the perfect amount for a mildly spicy chili.
- You can add more vegetables to this chili recipe. Try chopped green bell pepper, chopped or shredded carrot, or cubes of sweet potato.
- This Instant Pot Chili is thick right after pressure cooking, but if you want it even thicker you can simmer it using sauté mode for a few minutes.
- This chili tastes even better on the second and third day. You can store leftover chili in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. This chili freezes really well.
- Want to make this in the slow cooker? Try my slow cooker chili recipe.
Find more of the best Instant Pot ground beef recipes here!
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This Chili Is A Staple Recipe
Chili is one of the dinners I make on a regular basis year round. We eat it every other week.
I keep ground beef in the freezer so like I said I have everything on hand, I usually always stock bell peppers too but if I dont have one I just skip it.
I love the flavors, its so filling, its easy to make, I almost always have everything for it on hand, and my whole family loves it.
Plus it freezes well so I save whats left for my kids school lunches. I let it thaw in the fridge for a day then reheat and put it in their Thermoses.
What About Canned Beans
You can substitute canned beans for dried beans, although I recommend draining and adding them in after pressure cooking the ground beef. This will allow the beans to simmer on the saute setting until warmed through. Canned beans will disintegrate and get mushy if pressure-cooked for too long. Its best to limit their time in the vessel.
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Does This Chili Taste Sweet Because Of The Brown Sugar
The brown sugar basically balances out the acidity of the tomatoes, without imparting any sweetness to the chili. Having said that, if you like a sweeter chili, you can definitely add more brown sugar, to taste once you check for the final seasoning. You may also substitute the brown sugar with honey or regular granulated sugar.
How To Make Beef Chili In The Instant Pot
Its so easy to make this chili! Heres how:
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New To Pressure Cooking
Electric pressure cookers are having a renaissance these days. The newest models, like the Instant Pot, are programmable smart appliances that are safe and easy to use. They’re completely different than the traditional stovetop models many of us grew up with.
- Check out this guide! How to Use an Instant Pot
The pressure cooker I use is an Instant Pot. I have both the 6- and 8-quart models, and I find that the 6-quart size is plenty big for most meals. It handles recipes making 4 to 6 serving recipes easily, including this beef chili.
Recipe Notes And Faqs
- Leftovers: Leftover Instant Pot Chili can be stored, once cooled, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container.
- Serving Ideas: Serve chili with shredded cheese, chopped onions, as a base for Tamale Pie, with a side of cornbread muffins, or on top of baked potatoes or baked sweet potatoes.
- To keep reduce the sodium content, use low-sodium beef stock, no-salt-added crushed tomatoes, and cut the salt in half in the homemade chili blend.
Can you use Frozen Ground Meat?
YES, you can make this Chili with frozen ground beef! I recommend, following my instructions for cooking frozen ground beef in your instant pot. Once your frozen beef has been cooked, remove it from the Instant Pot and crumble it up into bite-size pieces. Place all the crumbled meat, and the remaining ingredients for the chili into the Instant Pot and cook for 15 minutes on high pressure.
Do you Have to use the Chili Function on the Instant Pot to Cook Chili?
As I have shared in Instant Pot 101 and my guide to Instant Pot Functions, the functions on your instant pot are set as guidesâyour pressure cooker has no way of knowing if you used dried beans, canned beans, or frozen meat. I RARELY use any of these functions, but instead default to cooking on high pressure and manually adjusting with the manual or pressure cook button on a pressure cooker.
Is this chili recipe gluten-free?
What is the best type of beer to use for chili?
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What To Serve With Chili
I usually always serve this chili with baked potatoes or with Homemade Cornbread. Then of course plenty of cheese and sour cream.
Grilled corn or just boiled corn with butter and salt makes another great, easy side dish. Avocados are always nice too.
Or just skip it all and dive in with saltine crackers or tortilla chips!
* Frequently Asked Questions
Can I freeze Chili?
Yes! Chili con carne is perfect for freezing. Simply let cool completely and freeze in an airtight container. To defrost, place in the fridge for 12 hours.
How long does Instant Pot chili last in the fridge?
Chili lasts in the fridge for up to 4 days. That makes it perfect for meal prep.
What if I get the burn warning?
Release pressure manually, give everything a good stir, and try again. If you still get it. Release pressure manually again and press the saute button and cover with a regular lid and simmer for 1 hour on low.
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Ingredients Needed To Make Instant Pot Chili
For this IP chili recipe, Ive used
- Lean ground beef
- Tomato paste
- Diced tomatoes
- My homemade chili seasoning blend is a mix of chili powder, ground cumin, Mexican oregano, chipotle chili powder, smoked paprika, cocoa powder, brown sugar, and of course some salt, and pepper. It is no secret that a little cocoa powder adds a depth of flavor and earthy richness to the chili.
- Canned beans
- Better than bouillon beef stock base
S To Make Chili Sauce
CAUTION handle chilis with care and be sure not to touch your face!
- Lightly toast the chilis
- Remove the stems and seeds
- Place chilis in boiling water and let sit for 15-20 minutes, then pour in a sieve
- Add broth and water from chili, chilis and spices.
- Blend all ingredients.
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Traditional Recipe With Modern Convenience
Do you remember the big pot on the stovetop simmering delicious meals for hours and hours growing up?
I do, especially when visiting my grandmothers homes. Every time we were over their kitchen waifed of the magical smell spices and foods that cooked ALL DAY LONG.
Those were the days, right? Simple, yet it wasnt. I didnt know then what I know now, but food needed to be stretched back then.
Both of my parents grew up in large families. Five kids each and they lived just two houses apart!
My grandmother and mother made their meals from scratch. I bet yours did too. It was just as common as opening a can of chicken broth is now!
Now were right smack in the middle of third and fourth Mexican-American generations. We have so many modern conveniences to help us savor homemade dishes like slow cookers and pressure cookers.
How To Make Chili Spicier:
This recipe calls for a can of tomatoes with green chilies. If youd like a little more of a kick, grab a can that is labeled HOT like a can of Hot Rotel.
You can also add in an extra 4 ounce can of HOT diced green chilies or jalapenos.
Red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, and Tabasco sauce can also be added to increase the heat but be careful! A little goes a long way.
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The Best Instant Pot Chili With Dry Beans
Once you make this delicious Instant Pot Chili with Dry Beans you will never go back to making it on the stove. It’s hearty, comforting, packed full of amazing flavor, and just the right amount of spice. Your family will love the taste and you’ll love how easy it is to make.
- Save
There is nothing better than sitting down to enjoy a warm bowl of delicious homemade chili. My family is big on chili and my husband sure knows how to make a good one. This Instant Pot Chili with Dry Beans is easy and will save you so much time versus making it on the stove.
Best Instant Pot Chili Recipe
This quick and easy Instant Pot Chili Recipe is loaded with ground beef, beans and tomatoes in a hearty and smokey-sweet sauce.
Ive taken my all time favorite Slow Cooker Chili recipe and adapted it for the pressure cooker so you can enjoy this goodness in a fraction of the time!
Holy smokes, let me tell you the delicious aroma that will fill your kitchen while whipping up this easy chili will get you so excited to dig in. One taste and Im confident that this will become your new favorite chili recipe.
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Instant Pot Chili With Dried Beans Vs Canned
I am a huge fan of cooking with dried beans as opposed to canned because I think they are easier to digest. I always soak my beans overnight and then add them soaked to any kind of recipe.
For this chili recipe, however, you cannot use dried . Beans dont cook in tomato-based sauces because of the tomatoes acidity. You can cook them as long as you want, theyll always taste somewhat raw.
You have two options. Either use canned or cook your dried beans first and add them already cooked to the chili. I have a full tutorial on how to cook beans in the Instant Pot.
How To Make Chili In The Instant Pot
The total prep time for this chili recipe is 15 minutes and the cooking time is only 20 minutes That makes this the perfect quick and easy, hearty and filling family meal! You could even whip up this chili recipe to surprise last-minute guests.
The first time I made this chili recipe, I was impressed with how easy it is to make without compromising on the taste at all! Making this instant pot chili recipe is as simple as dicing and sauteing before you mix all the ingredients together and leave them in the instant pot to work its magic.
Instructions:
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How To Freeze This Instant Pot Chili
Let the chili cool down completely.
Transfer individual serving portions to freezer-safe bags or containers, leaving an inch space between the chili and the lid.
Label the contents, and lay the bags in a single layer in the freezer, stack once it is frozen.
You can freeze chili for up to 3 months.
Thaw the chili in the refrigerator the night before. Reheat in the microwave or transfer to a small pot, and heat on low, stirring occasionally. Add some stock to adjust the consistency.
Instant Pot Burn Message
If youve ever gotten the Instant Pot burn message, you know that it can be frustrating because you just want your dinner to cook the way its supposed to. I have never gotten a burn message when cooking this Instant Pot chili, and there are two things that you can do to make sure you dont get one either:
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