Name: Instant Pot Chili
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds 85/15 ground beef (or ground bison, turkey, or chicken); 1 small yellow onion (diced); 1 tablespoon minced garlic; ½ cup light lager beer (such as Coors or Corona); 1-1½ cups low-sodium beef stock (see recipe note); 2 tablespoons Chili Seasoning Blend; 2 (15 oz) cans kidney beans (rinsed and drained); 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce; 28 ounces crushed tomatoes

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Instant Pot Chili is the ultimate chili recipe! Using the Instant Pot, this classic beef and bean chili develops the most insane flavor in record time! It is going to quickly become a family-favorite recipe!

Inspired by my recipe for Crockpot Beef and Bean Chili, this Instant Pot Chili delivers the same classic flavors FAST! Serve this pressure cooker chili with a side of Homemade Cornbread and deliver the ultimate comfort food recipe!

Instant Pot Classic Beef Chili in red bowl next to pressure cooker.

Why This Instant Pot Chili Recipe is the Best

Classic Chili Made Fast. Chili is one of those recipes the longer it simmers, the better it tastes. However, with this recipe for Instant Pot Chili, you can have a flavorful beef and bean chili on the table in less than an hour, without sacrificing ANY flavor!
Unbelievable Flavor. I personally think that the Instant Pot does a superior job of developing the flavor in chili, even better than a chili that has simmered for hours on the stove or in a crockpot. The pressure cooker locks in all the flavors, heightening each ingredient. It is just so good!
Award-Winning Recipe. I have had many readers share with me that this Instant Pot chili has won them neighborhood cook-offs and even state competitions. I think the combination of the best chili seasoning blend, light beer, and Worcestershire sauce make this simple recipe memorable! It is simply one of the best chili recipes ever!
Adaptable. While the recipe is perfectly spiced and seasoned as written, I do give you options to use different types of ground meat, omit the beer, and spice it up, so you can make this chili your own.

Note on Ingredients Needed

Ground Meat: For the best flavor and texture, I recommend using 85/15 ground meat. While ground beef is the classic choice, you can also make this recipe using ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground bison.
Chili Seasoning: This is the BEST blend of chili seasonings that packs a lot of flavor into any chili recipe. You probably have all the spices on hand to whip up this seasoning mixture in a matter of minutes.
Aromatics: Adding a yellow onion and minced garlic really helps to build a great base for this flavorful chili.
Crushed Tomatoes: Instead of using diced tomatoes, use crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce, for a rich, thick chili.
Beef Stock: Beef stock is not traditional in most recipes for chili, but you need that thin liquid for the Instant Pot to come under pressure. And the beef stock adds to the rich flavor of this chili! Just be sure to use low-sodium broth to control the overall sodium in the dish.
Beer: I love to add a light lager beer, such as Coors or Corona, along with the beef broth, as the beer gives the chili a rich depth of flavor and a bit of tang. Feel free to use additional beef broth in place of the beer if desired.
Beans: Use dark or light red kidney beans. And while canned beans work keep this recipe super quick and easy, you can start this recipe by preparing dried kidney beans using my instructions for cooking dried beans in the Instant Pot. Keep in mind, that you will need to add 1-2 teaspoons of additional salt to the chili if you start with dried beans.
Worcestershire Sauce: Adding Worcestershire sauce will help to add depth and richness to this chili. Don't overlook this ingredient!

Recipe Modifications

Cut the Sodium: To reduce the sodium content, use low-sodium beef stock, and no-salt-added crushed tomatoes, and cut the salt in half in the homemade chili blend.
Start with Frozen Meat: 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 with a natural pressure release.
Make it Spicy: Add up to 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper or 1 small minced jalapeno to the chili prior to pressure cooking to really amp up the heat!
Keep it Gluten-Free: Use additional beef broth or gluten-free beer in place of the beer and be sure your Worcestershire Sauce is gluten-free.
Thin it Out: For a thinner chili, use up to 2 cups of beef broth. For a thicker chili, use only 1 cup of broth.

How to Make Chili Using an Instant Pot

While this is an incredibly simple recipe, if you are unfamiliar with cooking in an Instant Pot or the functions of your Instant Pot, be sure to start with How to Use an Instant Pot for the best results on this and future recipes.

Step One: Sear the Meat. To increase the flavor tenfold and also improve the meat's texture, it is best to brown the meat before pressure cooking the chili. To do this, you want to use the saute function and saute the beef along with the onion until browned. Once the meat is browned, it is best to drain off any excess grease, so your chili is not overly greasy.

Step Two: Deglaze the Inner Pot. It is really important to take the time to scrape up the browned bits off the bottom of the inner pot to prevent a burn notice. To do this, simply add in the beer (or broth) and use a wooden spatula or spoon to scrape off the bottom of your inner pot.

Ground beef with beef and stock insider inner pot.

Step Three: Layer Ingredients. Add in the beans, seasonings, Worcestershire sauce, and both, and stir to combine. Then top with the tomatoes, but don't stir the chili again. Leaving the tomatoes on top of the other ingredients will help prevent a burn notice from happening.

Step Four: Pressure Cook. Don't be tempted to use the Chili function on your pressure cooker. As I have shared in Instant Pot 101 and my guide to Instant Pot Functions, your pressure cooker has no way of knowing if you used dried beans, canned beans, or frozen meat. It is best to default to cooking on high pressure for 15 minutes using the manual or pressure cook button.

Step Five. Let the Pressure Release Naturally. I don't recommend doing a quick pressure release when making chili because of the volume of liquid in your inner pot. It could easily spew out the vent knob, leaving a huge mess. Once the cooking time has elapsed, let the pressure release naturally for at least 15 minutes, a full natural pressure release is best.

ingredients for instant pot chili inside instant pot.

Serving Suggestions

This instant pot chili can be served plain or with toppings as desired. My family prefers shredded cheese and corn chips, but diced avocado, diced onions, and sour cream all make great options for topping your chili. And of course, adding a side of Homemade Cornbread is never a bad idea.

You can also opt to use this chili as a base for Tamale Pie, or use it to top baked potatoes or baked sweet potatoes. Some people love to serve chili on rice or pasta as well, for a heartier meal.

Bowl of Instant Pot Chili Next to Instant Pot

Storage Instructions

Refrigerate: Leftover Instant Pot Chili should be cooled and then transferred to air-tight containers. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Allow the chili to cool then place the cooled chili into a freezer-safe container, leaving a bit of room for expansion. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Reheat: If needed, defrost the chili in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat individual servings in a heat-safe bowl and warm up in the microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through.

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