Instant Pot Chili Recipe (2024)

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This quick and easy Instant Pot Chili Recipe is loaded with ground beef, beans and tomatoes in a hearty and smokey-sweet sauce.

Instant Pot Chili Recipe (1)Instant Pot Chili Recipe (2)I’ve taken my all time favorite (award winning) 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 I’m confident that this will become your new favorite chili recipe.

Instant Pot Chili Recipe

Chili needs time to develop it’s rich and bold flavors, which is why chili is normally cooked low and slow. Cooking chili in the instant pot (or pressure cooker) is a great way to intensify the flavor in a fraction of the time it normally takes in the slow cooker. The pressure in the Instant Pot can penetrate the beans with flavor quickly, tenderize the beef and enhance all the spices in minutes.

Instant Pot Chili Recipe (3)

Ingredients Required for Chili

Chili is one of those magical dishes that you can easily adjust the ingredients to your liking, making it perfect for picky eaters. Here is what you’ll need:

  • Ground Beef
  • Onion
  • Red Bell Pepper
  • Pinto Beans
  • Black Beans
  • Kidney Beans
  • Tomato Sauce
  • Tomato Paste
  • Beef Broth
  • Diced Tomatoes
  • Spices & Seasonings: Chili Powder, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Cumin, Red Pepper Flakes, Salt and Pepper

Instant Pot Chili Recipe (4)

How To Cook Chili In Instant Pot

What I truly love about this recipe is that I can brown the ground beef right in the instant pot on sauté mode. This saves me from having any extra dishes to clean and keeps my stove top nice and clean too.

  • Start by browning your ground beef (you can swap in ground turkey or pork here if you’d like), 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 it’s finished cooking release the pressure and you’re done!

Instant Pot Chili Recipe (5)

All that’s left to do is add your favorite chili toppings!

We love adding shredded cheese, sour cream and diced green onions. I’ll even throw some crunchy corn chips on top if I have them on hand.

Instant Pot Chili Recipe (6)

Tips and FAQ:

  • Can You Freeze Chili? Yes! You can freeze in an airtight container for up to 4 months. Defrost in refrigerator overnight for best results.
  • What Is The Bean / Chili Setting on My Instant Pot? This setting is automatically set to cook on HIGH pressure for 30 minutes. Simply press “more” or “less” to adjust the time setting up or down.
  • How Do You Thicken Chili In Instant Pot? You shouldn’t need to thicken this recipe, but if you’re here searching for the answer, you can thicken chili using a cornstarch slurry. Mix 2 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water and gradually stir into the chili while it’s bubbling away on Sauté mode. It should thicken right up.

Can I Use Dry Beans For Chili?

While this recipe calls for canned beans to save time, you most certainly can use dried beans! Here’s what you’ll need to do:

  • Rinse and pick through your beans (2 cups total of pinto and/or black beans), discard any broken pieces.
  • Add the dried beans to the liner of your Instant Pot and cover with 1 inch of water.
  • Pressure cook on HIGH for 12 minutes, then quick release.
  • Drain the beans and set aside.
  • Follow the remainder of the recipe as written.

Instant Pot Chili Recipe (7)

More Chili Recipes To Try:

  • Slow Cooker Thick and Hearty Chili
  • Sweet Potato Turkey Chili
  • Smoky White Chicken Chili
  • Chili Pasta Skillet

Instant Pot Chili Recipe (8)

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe

5 from 43 votes

Instant Pot Chili Recipe

This quick and easy Instant Pot Chili Recipe is loaded with ground beef, beans and tomatoes in a hearty and spicy sauce.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time18 minutes mins

Total Time28 minutes mins

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: 6

Calories: 232 kcal

Author: Shawn

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. ground beef, lean
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/2 medium onion, diced
  • 1 15 oz can pinto beans, drained
  • 1 15 oz can black beans, drained
  • 1 15 oz can kidney beans, drained
  • 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
  • 1 10 oz can Rotel diced tomatoes, chili fixin's
  • 3 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Set the Instant Pot to SAUTE mode and add ground beef. Brown and crumble the beef until no longer pink. Drain any excess fat from the beef and return liner to Instant Pot.

  • Add in remaining ingredients and give it a stir.

  • Attach lid, making sure valve is set to sealed position. Turn to Bean/Chili Setting or HIGH pressure for 18 minutes. Once finished cooking, release pressure and enjoy!

Notes

Total Cook Time reflects typical amount of time it takes to come to pressure.

This recipe was tested in an 8 quart Instant Pot.

Nutrition

Calories: 232kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 700mg | Potassium: 426mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1583IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 3mg

Keywords: Bean, Chili, Ground Beef, Instant Pot, Pressure Cooker, Spicy

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?don't forget to share a picture and mention @iwashyoudry on Instagram or tag #iwashyoudry!

PIN THIS IMAGE TO SAVE THE RECIPE:

Instant Pot Chili Recipe (9)

Related Posts

  • Instant Pot Refried Beans Recipe

    You'll be shocked at how simple and delicious it is…

  • Instant Pot Pot Roast Recipe

    Prepare a whole meal in a fraction of the time…

  • Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes Recipe

    This super easyInstant Pot Mashed Potatoes recipeis the fastest and…

Instant Pot Chili Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is chili better on stove or instant pot? ›

Our testers really liked the stovetop method because of its consistency. Being on the stove allowed for it to really thicken and for the spices and flavors to meld together well.

How do you keep chili from sticking in the instant pot? ›

The pork has more fat than the ground beef, so adding it first will help to keep the ground beef from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Once the pork has cooked for a minute or two, add the ground beef. Use a non-metal spoon to stir and crumble the ground beef. You want nice small pieces in your chili.

What is the best pot to cook chili in? ›

Enameled cast-iron is maybe best, because if you find yourself making chili with tomatoes in a plain cast-iron pot, the fruit's acidity may react poorly with the metal, leaving the chili with an off taste. A heavy stainless pot will do, as will an aluminum one if you're careful not to let the bottom of the chili burn.

Is Chilli better in crockpot or stove? ›

Chili is perhaps the ideal slow-cooker dish because its flavor improves with a long, slow simmer. This makes a big batch, perfect for a cold-weather get-together, but if you're making it for a smaller group, the leftovers freeze well.

Do professional chefs use Instant Pot? ›

They are most commonly used in industrial settings to quickly prepare meat or stocks. However, in most scenarios, Elite Chefs avoid using pressure cookers because they provide less control over the final dish. Chefs often prefer slow cooking techniques that accentuate and pull out the flavors of the food.

How does the chili setting on Instant Pot work? ›

What Is the Instant Pot Chili/Bean Setting? The bean/chili setting on the Instant Pot cooks at high pressure and can be set to "more," which is 30 minutes, or "less," which will cook for 25 minutes. You may choose the bean/chili setting and do a quick release after 15 minutes.

Can I put aluminum foil in Instant Pot? ›

The short answer is good news. It is generally safe to use aluminum foil in an Instant Pot, but it is important to use it properly to avoid damaging the appliance or creating a potential safety hazard.

How do you thicken chili in an Instant Pot? ›

How to Thicken Instant Pot Chili
  1. Thicken with Cornstarch (2 minutes): Make a slurry by combining equal parts water and cornstarch. When the cook cycle is done, and the pressure has been released, turn the IP on to saute and bring to a boil. ...
  2. Thicken by Simmering (20 minutes): If time allows, I prefer this method.
Feb 26, 2024

Why does tomato sauce burn in Instant Pot? ›

Lai says the most common cause for a burn notification is not adding enough liquid to the pot or using thick ingredients like a thick tomato sauce. "If you sauté prior to pressure cooking and you do not properly deglaze the bottom of the pot, food stuck to the bottom can cause the burn notification," says Lai.

Does chili taste better the longer it cooks? ›

Chili is most commonly prepared at a low temperature and for an extended period of time (low and slow), which develops a deeper, spiced aroma. But, the longer cook time can often result in a flat flavor.

Is chili better in a Dutch oven or crockpot? ›

For making great chili, it's a tie between the Dutch oven and the multi-cooker in slow-cook mode. Each requires some tweaking in the cooking methods, though. The Dutch oven chili had the best aroma, heat, and flavor, but it looked less than appetizing due to its dry texture. And the longer it sat, the thicker it got.

What is the best cut of meat to make chili? ›

When making chili, former Southern Living Test Kitchen Director, Robby Melvin, recommends using a mix of ground chuck and ground sirloin. "It's the best of both worlds," he says. "You get a balanced lean-to-fat ratio from the chuck and the hearty, beefy leanness from the sirloin."

What are the best beans for chili? ›

The best beans for chili are pinto, kidney, and black beans, like in this easy and tasty recipe. This 3-bean chili freezes great for meals later in the week. If you prefer thinner chili, add an extra can of tomato sauce. The green chiles are not hot and add a wonderful flavor, so don't be afraid to use them.

Can you overcook chili in a slow cooker? ›

Yes, but it would take a while. I have cooked this chili for 9 hours on low and it was delicious but ever-so-slightly burnt on the top. The tomatoes contain sugar, which caramelizes in the slow cooker, and will eventually burn if it cookes for too long. Anything longer than 10 hours on low is risky.

Do you have to brown meat before slow cooker chili? ›

Do you have to brown the meat for slow cooker chili? Technically, no. The beef, bell pepper, onion, and garlic will all cook in the slow cooker, but browning the meat and sautéing the vegetables in a skillet before adding it to the slow cooker brings much more flavor to the chili. You'll be glad you did—promise!

Does Instant Pot make food taste better? ›

“That is outstanding.” She said that although the Instant Pot retained more of the distinct flavourings, this wasn't necessarily to its advantage: The traditional version had melded the flavours into one aromatic, juicy bite, and it worked better.

Does chili taste better the longer you simmer it? ›

Chili is most commonly prepared at a low temperature and for an extended period of time (low and slow), which develops a deeper, spiced aroma. But, the longer cook time can often result in a flat flavor.

How long should chili simmer on stove? ›

Low Setting: If you cook chili on the low setting, it typically takes around 6 to 8 hours. This is a good option if you want to let it simmer all day and develop rich flavors. High Setting: If you're pressed for time, you can cook chili on the high setting for approximately 3 to 4 hours.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Francesca Jacobs Ret

Last Updated:

Views: 5812

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (68 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Francesca Jacobs Ret

Birthday: 1996-12-09

Address: Apt. 141 1406 Mitch Summit, New Teganshire, UT 82655-0699

Phone: +2296092334654

Job: Technology Architect

Hobby: Snowboarding, Scouting, Foreign language learning, Dowsing, Baton twirling, Sculpting, Cabaret

Introduction: My name is Francesca Jacobs Ret, I am a innocent, super, beautiful, charming, lucky, gentle, clever person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.