This Instant Pot Chili is a hearty meal packed with flavor! It’s made with ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and spices, all cooked together in no time.
You’ll love how quickly it comes together; just mix it up, set the timer, and relax! Perfect for cozy nights or game days—who doesn’t love a good bowl of chili? 🌶️
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Ground Beef: This is the base of your chili. For a leaner option, turkey or chicken works well instead. You can also use plant-based ground meat to keep it vegetarian.
Beans: I used kidney beans, but black beans, pinto beans, or even chickpeas can add a unique flavor. Make it your own!
Tomatoes: Diced tomatoes bring freshness to the chili. You can substitute with crushed tomatoes or even fresh tomatoes if you have them on hand. Just chop them up!
Spices: Chili powder and cumin are essential for flavor. If you want a bit of heat, add some cayenne pepper. If you’re out, you can try taco seasoning as a replacement!
How Do You Properly Sauté Ingredients in the Instant Pot?
Getting the sauté process right is key to building flavor in your chili. Here’s a simple way to do it:
- Set your Instant Pot to ‘Sauté’ mode and add oil. Let it heat up for a minute.
- Add diced onions and cook until they’re soft and slightly translucent.
- Then, add minced garlic for the last 30 seconds to keep it from burning.
- Finally, add the ground beef and break it up with a spoon. Cook until browned.
- Making sure to stir occasionally helps evenly cook everything and enhances the flavor!
Following these steps will give your chili a solid base of flavor to build on!
Instant Pot Chili
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup beef broth or water
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Optional garnishes: shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, cilantro, lime wedges
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 10 minutes to prep and around 30 minutes to cook in the Instant Pot, including pressure build-up and release. In about 40 minutes, you’ll have a delicious pot of chili ready to warm your soul!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Sauté the Aromatics:
Start by setting your Instant Pot to ‘Sauté’ mode. Add the olive oil and let it heat for a moment. Next, toss in the diced onions and cook them until they’re soft, about 3 minutes. Now, add in the minced garlic and stir it around for another 30 seconds to get that wonderful garlic aroma going!
2. Brown the Ground Beef:
Now, it’s time to add the ground beef. Break it up with a spoon and cook it until it’s completely browned and no longer pink. If there’s any excess fat, drain it out to keep your chili from being greasy.
3. Add the Spices:
Stir in the chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook this mix for about a minute to really bring out the flavors of the spices. Your kitchen should smell amazing right about now!
4. Combine Ingredients:
Next, add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, and beef broth to the pot. Stir everything well to combine all those lovely flavors into one pot!
5. Pressure Cook:
Seal the Instant Pot lid and make sure the valve is set to ‘Sealing.’ Set the pot to ‘Manual’ or ‘Pressure Cook’ mode on high for 15 minutes. Once it’s done cooking, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes before doing a quick release for any remaining pressure.
6. Serve and Enjoy:
Carefully open the lid and give the chili a good stir. Now, it’s time to serve! Ladle it into bowls and top with shredded cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, chopped green onions, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime if you like. Enjoy your hearty, flavorful Instant Pot Chili!
This dish is perfect for sharing with family and friends, or curling up on the couch with a warm bowl on a chilly evening. Enjoy! 🍲
Can I Use Ground Turkey Instead of Beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey is a great substitute for ground beef if you’re looking for a leaner option. It might have a slightly different flavor, but it will still work wonderfully in this chili.
Can I Make This Chili Vegetarian?
Yes! Simply replace the ground beef with plant-based ground meat or chopped mushrooms and add an extra can of beans for heartiness. You can also use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
How to Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover chili in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months! Just make sure to cool it completely before transferring it to the freezer.
Can I Add Other Vegetables?
Definitely! Feel free to mix in veggies like bell peppers, corn, or zucchini. Just chop them into small pieces and sauté them along with the onions at the beginning for best texture and flavor.
