The BEST Instant Pot Chili Recipe (2024)

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INSTANT POT CHILI: Chili made easy in your pressure cooker is THE BEST! This recipe is the absolute perfect comfort food, packed with flavor, texture, color and a tiny bit of spice. Perfect dinner or party food!

Why This Recipe Works

This Instant Pot Chili recipe has been in the works for a long time. Many of you have asked for a pressure cooker version of your (and my!) favorite chili recipe and I finally delivered.

I have to admit that I avoided making a pressure cooker version of one of my favorite recipes EVER because I didn’t believe it could ever live up to its namesake. But it totally does, you guys.

I am so in love with my Instant Pot and the secret magic that goes on inside those little pressure-cooking walls. My first bite of this Instant Pot Chili made my head spin in circles. It tastes like it cooked low and slow for ages, but it is ready to eat in less than an HOUR!

This is such a great recipe. You are going to LOVE IT.

How To Make Instant Pot Chili

Making chili in a pressure cooker has never been easier! There is now a CHILI setting that puts those little magic men who live inside your Instant Pot to work.

After just 20 minutes of cooking time, this chili comes out perfectly and tastes like it has been simmering on the stove top all day long. Follow these easy steps to make the easiest, yummiest Instant Pot Chili you’ll find!

Step 1

Set your Instant Pot to the saute function. Add the olive oil and heat for 2 minutes. Add the garlic, onion, bell pepper, parsley and jalapenos (if using and I highly recommend that you do!) and saute for 3 minutes.

Step 2

Add the ground meat (use beef, pork, turkey or even venison!) and cook until it is no longer pink and drain, if needed.

Step 3

Add the spices! Stir the chili powder, cumin, sugar, oregano, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper into the meat and veggie mixture. Add the tomato juice, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans and pinto beans to the pot.

Place the cover on the pot and set the timer to 20 minutes and cook on high pressure (use the CHILI setting!). It will take the Instant Pot approximately 10 minutes to build up pressure before it begins cooking. Only 30 minutes of cook time, folks!

Step 4

When cooking time is done, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then do a quick release. Remove the cover and serve the delicious chili immediately. Top with shredded cheese and sour cream, if desired!

Recipe Notes

Use fresh ingredients for the best tasting chlii.
Typically, fattier meats such as beef will produce a chili with more flavor.
Decrease the amount of tomato juice used in the recipe for a less “saucy” chili and for a more thickened version of the comfort food.
Go as crazy as you’d like with the toppings! Jalapeno slices, extra cheese, sour cream, cilantro leaves, lime wedges, sliced green onions.. the world is your oyster!
Spice up the recipe by adding hot sauce, an extra jalapeno pepper, more cayenne pepper and by replacing the beans with seasoned black beans!
Speaking of spice, do not let the jalapenos called for in the recipe scare you. It does not produce a super hot chili, but instead a mildly zingy and perfect chili recipe!
Consider adding 1 teaspoon of cocoa powder to this chili recipe for an added level of flavor to the meat, beans and tomatoes.

How To Make Chili in a Slow Cooker

The ingredient list is the same between the best Instant Pot version of chili and the best crock pot version of chili. Follow the link for exact ingredient amounts!

Step 1

In a large skillet, cook the ground meat over medium-high heat until it is no longer pink. Transfer the meat to a bowl. Drain the excess grease from skillet, but do not clean it out.

Step 2

Add the olive oil to the skillet. Add the bell pepper, garlic, parsley, jalapeño peppers (if using) and onion and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and fragrant (about 5 minutes).

Step 3

Add the meat and veggie mixture to the slow cooker. Add the tomato juice, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans and pinto beans to either the skillet or slow cooker, depending on which you are using.

Cook on low for 7 to 8 hours. Serve warm with cheese and sour cream.

What To Serve With Chili

Serve chili warm with a bit of shredded cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream. A few good options to serve alongside it include:

Chopped salad
Dinner rolls
Jalapeno corn bread

How Long Does Chili Last In The Fridge

If you are wondering how long chili lasts in the refrigerator or if your batch is still fresh, click over for all the info!

Chili Dinner Ideas – Recipes and Sides!

Click over for chili dinner ideas with a variety of recipes and side dish recommendations, as well. Or use this post as your guide for dinner ideas using leftover chili so nothing goes to waste.

What Side Dishes Go With Chili

If you are need a good list of side dishes that go with chili to make the perfect complete meal, read on for 19 delicious ideas!

Appetizer Ideas

Chili dinners are the best in those cold winter months! If you are looking to round out your meal, peruse this roundup for ideas aboutwhat to serve as appetizers for chili dinner.

How To Thicken Chili

If you make a delicious batch and find that it is not thick enough for your liking, we have some simple methods that will fix it! Read on for tips about how to thicken chili.

What Beans Are Best In Chili

I love using pinto and red kidney beans because they are hearty and sturdy. Occasionally I will get crazy and add black beans, but for this recipe stick with the pinto-kidney combo!

Best Bean Substitutes

Whether you can’t eat beans or you just don’t have any on hand, learn what to substitute for beans in chili!

What To Do With Chili Leftovers

If you have leftovers (and it’s very possible that you will because this makes a large batch), please check out these delicious recipes to help use them up:

Baked Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Best Ever Chili Dogs
Chili Mac and Cheese
Chili-Topped Baked Potatoes

How To Make Hot Dog Chili Sauce

Don’t use any old chili recipe to pile on top of hot dogs. This delicious recipe details how to make hot dog chili sauce so the consistency is just right!

How To Freeze Chili

Freezing chili is super doable and easy! Pour it into a container that seals tightly OR into resealable freezer bags. If you use bags, flatten them out and remove as much air as possible before sealing. Store in the freezer for up to 6 months.

When you are ready to enjoy the chili, let it thaw completely and reheat on the stove top or in a slow cooker until it is warmed to desired temperature.

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Instant Pot Chili Recipe

Instant Pot Chili is THE BEST! This recipe is the absolute perfect comfort food, packed with flavor, texture, color and done in under 40 minutes.

5 from 9 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Soup

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 499kcal

Author: Megan Porta

Equipment

▢
Pressure Cooker

Ingredients

▢ 1/4 cup olive oil
▢ 4 cloves garlic minced
▢ 1 yellow onion chopped
▢ 1 green bell pepper chopped
▢ 1/4 cup Italian flat-leaf parsley finely chopped
▢ 2 jalapeno peppers finely chopped, optional
▢ 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
▢ 3 tbsp chili powder
▢ 2 tsp cumin
▢ 1 tsp sugar
▢ 1 tsp oregano
▢ 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper optional
▢ 1 tsp salt
▢ 1 tsp pepper
▢ 24 oz tomato juice
▢ 28 oz diced tomatoes
▢ 15 oz tomato sauce
▢ 16 oz kidney beans drained and rinsed
▢ 16 oz pinto beans drained and rinsed
▢ shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream for topping

Instructions

Set Instant Pot to saute. Add the olive oil and heat for 2 minutes. Add garlic, onion, bell pepper, parsley and jalapenos (if using) and saute for 3 minutes.
Add ground meat and cook until no longer pink; drain, if needed.
Add the chili powder, cumin, sugar, oregano, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper and stir into the meat-veggie mixture. Add the tomato juice, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans and pinto beans to the pot. Place the cover on the pot and set timer to 20 minutes on high pressure (chili setting). It will take the IP around 10 minutes to build up pressure before it begins cooking.
When cooking is done, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then do a quick release.
Remove cover and serve immediately. Top with shredded cheese and sour cream, if desired.

Notes

Use fresh ingredients for the best tasting chlii.
Typically, fattier meats such as beef will produce a chili with more flavor.
Decrease the amount of tomato juice used in the recipe for a less “saucy” chili and for a more thickened version of the comfort food.
Go as crazy as you’d like with the toppings! Jalapeno slices, extra cheese, sour cream, cilantro leaves, lime wedges, sliced green onions.. the world is your oyster!
Spice up the recipe by adding hot sauce, an extra jalapeno pepper, more cayenne pepper and by replacing the beans with seasoned black beans!
Speaking of spice, do not let the jalapenos called for in the recipe scare you. It does not produce a super hot chili, but instead a mildly zingy and perfect chili recipe!
Consider adding 1 teaspoon of cocoa powder to this chili recipe for an added level of flavor to the meat, beans and tomatoes.

Nutrition

Did you make this recipe?If you loved this recipe, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below!

FAQs

What is the secret to really good chili? ›

Only Add Flavorful Liquids

Instead of adding water to your chili, add some more flavor with chicken or beef broth, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, or even beet or wine. Each one of these options brings out different notes and levels of sweetness that will enhance your culinary creation.

Tell Me More ›

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.

Read The Full Story ›

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.

Keep Reading ›

Does chili taste better the longer you simmer it? ›

Not so fast. While all that time on the stovetop or in the slow cooker has made for a deep, spiced aroma, the long cook time often results in a flat flavor that benefits from some acidity to perk it up.

What not to put in chili? ›

Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.

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What adds the most flavor to chili? ›

If you want more of a smoky flavor, add cumin, Spanish paprika, ancho chili powder, or a combination. If you are looking for more heat, add cayenne, crushed red pepper, or Hungarian paprika. If it's too spicy add a little brown sugar and some sweet paprika.

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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.

See Details ›

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.

Learn More ›

Is Instant Pot just as good as slow cooker? ›

If you are interested primarily in slow cooking, you should buy a dedicated slow cooker. They're more reliable with a range of slow-cooker recipes than an Instant Pot. We found Instant Pot multicookers specifically could not successfully slow-cook dense, high-volume recipes such as beef stew or pot roast.

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Why is my Instant Pot burning my chili? ›

An improperly sealed lid can cause the Instant Pot to just cook and cook your contents as it attempts to reach pressure. This will lead to scorching and then a burn notice. Make sure that you're using enough liquid.

Why is my Instant Pot not pressurizing chili? ›

SOLUTION: Open the Instant Pot and make sure there's enough liquid. If too much liquid has evaporated, the Instant Pot won't pressurize, so add more liquid if necessary. Close the Instant Pot and resume pressure cooking. If you have trouble closing the lid, move the steam release handle to the VENTING position.

Learn More ›

How do you thicken chili in an Instant Pot? ›

How to Thicken Instant Pot Chili

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. ...
Thicken by Simmering (20 minutes): If time allows, I prefer this method.

Feb 26, 2024

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What is the best meat for chili? ›

What is the best meat for chili? The best meat for chili depends on the type you're making, but professionals generally use a combination of ground chuck, brisket, short ribs, or diced tri-tip sirloin mixed with bacon and sausage to layer multiple textures and flavors.

Should I put garlic in my chili? ›

Many chili recipes call for ground chili powder, which is a mix of dried ground chiles and other spices like garlic and onion powder. But that doesn't mean you should skip using fresh garlic and onions in your chili. They add a depth of flavor the dried stuff can't match.

Get More Info Here ›

Do you cook onions or meat first for chili? ›

In a large pot over medium heat, heat the oil. Add the onions, garlic, and red pepper; cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the beef and increase the heat to high; cook, stirring with wooden spoon to break the meat into ¼-inch pieces, until the beef is browned, 10 to 12 minutes.

Explore More ›

What makes the best chili meat? ›

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."

Read On ›

Why is my chili not flavorful? ›

Change up the beans. Use black beans, pintos, or a combination of beans to give more flavor. Cook the chili! If you don't cook it long enough (or put in a pressure cooker to speed up the process), it won't taste quite right.

Get More Info Here ›

Does sugar make chili taste better? ›

Now for the piece de resistance: 1-2 heaping Tablespoons brown sugar. The chili tastes completely different without the brown sugar so if you like a subtle sweetness in your chili then you've just got to go for it! Trust me, it will not make your chili taste like candy.

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Why add vinegar to chilli? ›

With only about 1 tablespoon per pot added toward the end of the cooking process, the vinegar will make the flavors more vibrant without overwhelming the dish with its biting tang. Through just a splash, everything becomes a little brighter, and the chili's flavors are more balanced.

Tell Me More ›