Instant Pot Chili

Instant Pot Chili: This is the ultimate pressure cooker chili recipe!  A classic beef and bean chili made in the instant pot, speeds up the cooking process and results in a super rich and hearty chili. Your family will be begging for you to make this easy instant pot chili recipe again and again!

Can I let you in on a little secret?

I love chili.

I love White Chicken Chili, Lentil Chili, Chicken Chili and Black Bean Chili. But the one chili I have not shared with you yet, is my family’s classic chili recipe.

And I apologize for waiting so long–this is an easy chili recipe you don’t want to miss!

Instant Pot Chili

My mom would make chili at least every other week when I was growing up. My entire family of six loved my mom’s bean and beef chili and she loved that she could cook it in the morning and let it simmer all day until dinner. She also loved that Chili was meal hearty enough to feed my hard working father–at over 6 feet and working 12 hour days doing manual labor, that man was hungry at the end of a long day!

The difference in my chili from my mom’s chili recipe is that instead of making it on the stove top, I make it in the pressure cooker. So while it tastes like it has been simmering all day, it is ready in about an hour from the minute you start prep to the minute you ladle up the chili to serve.

How To Make Chili in the Instant Pot

While I have shared with you how to make Instant Pot Chicken Chili with Dried beans, this recipe for Instant Pot Beef and Bean Chili is different–and not just because it is made with ground beef instead of chicken.

This Instant Pot chili is simple and classic in flavors–it is thick and hearty and just perfection.

Steps for Instant Pot Chili Recipe

• Turn your instant pot to the saute function and allow it to heat up.
• Brown your ground meat with the diced onions.
• Add in your liquid and scrape up the browned bits off the inner pot. This step is REALLY important–if you leave too many browned bits on the inner pot, your pressure cooker may not come to pressure correctly. 
• Turn off saute function once meat is browned.
• Add in the remaining seasonings, beans and tomatoes, place lid on instant pot with valve closed to “sealing.”
• Cook on high pressure for 35 minutes for dried beans.
  • If you want super tender beans without much chew, add up to 10 more minutes of cook time.
• Let pressure release naturally–about 15 minutes.

Can I use Turkey instead of Beef for Instant Pot Chili?

Absolutely, you can make this Instant Pot Turkey Chili! In fact, you could use ground pork or ground chicken in place of the ground beef if you like. In fact, I have made this with ground bison, for a lean and delicious chili.

Can I use Frozen Ground Meat for this Chili Recipe?

YES, you can make this Classic Chili with frozen ground beef!

• I recommend, following my instructions for cooking frozen ground beef in your instant pot. Then crumble that meat up, place back into instant pot with remaining ingredients for the chili and cook on high for cook time.

However, if you are really in a bind, you can place your frozen beef right into your chili and the meat will cook as the chili cooks. I will warn you that your chili may be greasy if you use this method and you will still have to break up your beef into this chili once it has cooked–so this is my absolute LEAST favorite way to prepare Instant Pot Chili.

Can I use Canned Beans or Dried Beans for Pressure Cooker Chili?

Chili can be made with dried beans or canned beans in the instant pot. And while I prefer red beans or kidney beans in my classic chili, black beans and pinto beans are also good options for chili (and the cooking time remains the same for all these types of beans.)

Instant Pot Chili with Dried Beans

One of my favorite things about pressure cooking is the fact that I can cook dried beans in NO time. I use my instant pot to make beans and even cook chickpeas for hummus with no presoaking required. It is such a time saver.

• For red beans, black beans, pinto beans and kidney beans, you would use 2 cups dried beans in this Instant Pot Chili recipe.
• Be sure your beans are not old, if they are–they will NEVER get soft.

Instant Pot Chili with Presoaked Beans

When you are cooking with presoaked beans, the cook time is less.

• Decrease cook time to 25 minutes.
• Measure the beans AFTER soaking and use 4 cups soaked beans.
• You will not need a full 2 cups additional liquid if using presoaked beans, I would use 1/2 cup beer and  1 cup beef stock instead of a full cup of both.

Instant Pot Chili with Canned Beans

If you have canned beans on hand, you can easily use them in place of the dried beans in this chili recipe.

• You will need to decrease the liquid and the cooking time to 15 minutes.
• Use 4 cans drained and rinsed beans.
• You will not need a full 2 cups additional liquid if using canned beans, I would use 1/2 cup beer and 1/2 cup beef stock instead of a full cup of both.

Is this Instant Pot Chili Recipe Freezer Friendly?

In my opinion, leftover chili is better then freshly made chili. And since chili lasts safely in the fridge for 3-4 days, my family will eat this chili over baked potatoes or sweet potatoes for lunch during the week, so we rarely have leftovers to freeze.

However, it is very smart to freeze this chili for future quick meals. I need to take my own advice!

To Freeze Instant Pot Chili:

• Allow chili to cool completely.
• Place in freezer safe containers or freezer safe bags, being sure to leave at least 1/2 cup space for chili to expand while frozen.
• Freeze for up to 6 months.

To Reheat Frozen Chili:

You have a couple options to reheat frozen chili.

• Thaw overnight in fridge and reheat on stove or in microwave until warmed through.
• Remove frozen chili (frozen as solid brick) and place into oven safe glass container that fits into your instant pot. Place trivet in instant pot and pour in 1 cup water. Place bowl with frozen chili in instant pot and cook on high for 25 minutes.

Do you Have to use the Chili Function on the Instant Pot to Cook Chili?

As I have shared in my Instant Pot 101 and Instant Pot Functions, the functions on your instant pot are set as guides–your 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.

A few more tips on how to make the BEST Instant Pot Chili

• This chili recipe uses crushed tomatoes instead of diced tomatoes or tomato sauce. The reason for this is that tomato sauce will make the chili more watered down, since no liquid is evaporated in pressure cooking. I also prefer the rich flavor of the crushed tomatoes over the diced tomatoes–not to mention my kids prefer the texture!
• Crushed tomatoes is not liquid enough for pressure cooker chili. You need at least 1 cup additional liquid. I like to use beer for a rich flavor, but beef stock or chicken stock is a great substitute. Even a dry red wine would work. I would not recommend water, but it can be used in a pinch.
• If you like thinner chili, use more stock or beer–up to 2 cups total. If you like thicker chili, do not decrease the liquid, as that is needed for pressure cooking. Instead once your chili has cooked and pressure has been released, remove the lid and turn your instant pot back to saute and allow to boil for a few minutes to thicken up, as some of the liquid evaporates.
• Remember if using canned beans, you will need less liquid. I would use 1/2 cup beer and 1/2 cup beef stock instead of a full cup of both.
• I personally do not care for diced peppers in my basic chili, however if you like peppers, feel free to add them to the chili along with the onions.
• If you don’t care for onions or do not have any on hand, use 2 teaspoons onion powder and add along with the chili seasoning blend.
• If you want to add sweetness to your chili, add in one tablespoon honey. This will also help cut down on the acidity of the chili and is a great thing to add for anyone suffering from acid reflux.
• If you like really spicy chili, add in 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes OR 1-2 teaspoons hot sauce.
• Important Tip about Dried Beans: Be sure your beans are not old, if they are–they will NEVER get soft. Also, if you like really soft, tender beans, increase cook time to 45 minutes.

More Instant Pot Recipes

• Instant Pot Lasagna
• Instant Pot Chicken Thighs
• Instant Pot Baked Beans
• Instant Pot Mongolian Beef
• Instant Pot Orange Chicken
• Instant Pot Chicken Breasts (Fresh or Frozen)

The Best Instant Pot Chili Recipe

Instant Pot Chili

A classic beef and bean chili made in the pressure cooker speeds up the cooking process and results in a super rich and hearty chili. 

4.56 from 9 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Beef Chili, Instant Pot Chili

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Pressure Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 284kcal

Author: Kristen Chidsey

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground meat
• 1 small onion diced
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup beer
• 1 cup beef stock
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon Chili Seasoning Blend
• 2 cups dried red beans
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

• Turn your instant pot to the saute function and allow it to heat up until it reads "Hot"
• Brown the ground meat with the diced onions, until just browned through--about 5 minutes. 
• Add in your beer and stock and scrape up the browned bits off the inner pot. This step is REALLY important--if you leave too many browned bits on the inner pot, your pressure cooker may not come to pressure correctly. Turn off saute function. 
• Add in the garlic, chili seasoning, and beans and stir well. Pour tomatoes on the top and place lid on instant pot with valve closed to "sealing."
• Cook on high pressure for 35 minutes for dried beans.
• Let pressure release naturally--about 15-20 minutes. Remove lid and stir In Worcestershire sauce. 
  

Notes

• If you want super tender beans without much chew, add up to 10 more minutes of cook time.
• If using canned beans or presoaked dried beans, decrease cooking time to 15 minutes.
• Remember if using canned beans, you will also need less liquid. I would use 1/2 cup beer and 1/2 cup beef stock instead of a full cup of both.
• In place of beer, feel free to use wine or beef/chicken stock.
• Be sure Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free if you need this chili to be gluten-free.
• Use black beans, kidney beans, or pinto beans in place of red beans--cook time remains the same. 

Nutrition Facts

Instant Pot Chili

Amount Per Serving

Calories 284 Calories from Fat 27

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 3g 5%

Saturated Fat 1g 5%

Cholesterol 35mg 12%

Sodium 183mg 8%

Potassium 1146mg 33%

Total Carbohydrates 38g 13%

Dietary Fiber 9g 36%

Sugars 6g

Protein 24g 48%

Vitamin A 4.3%

Vitamin C 15.2%

Calcium 8.2%

Iron 32.1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

To Make Classic Chili in the Instant Pot, You May Need

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