The Best Instant Pot Chili
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Hands down THE BEST chili ever. Done in less than 1 hour with no babysitting, no fuss! So easy and so flavorful!
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This is one of our go-to dinner recipes. We have served it for others too and always get great compliments and people asking for the recipe. It’s a pretty giving recipe too but always turns out soooo good. And leftovers are delicious!
I know, It’s not exactly chili season just yet. But, we’ve had the tiniest drizzle of rain with a bit of cold weather these last few days. So we’re staying in with a cozy bowl of chili under the thickest blanket we can find.
reasons to make instant pot chili
- Not your average bowl of chili. Nope, not at all. This is the best instant pot chili recipe you can find (loaded statement, I know). The texture of the chili comes out oh-so-perfectly with the lean, tender, crumbled ground beef with the blend of all the spices (chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, cocoa powder, and cumin) alongside the black bean goodness.
- One pot convenience. With the help of the pressure cooker, the chili tastes as if it has been simmering for hours on end, but it really just needs 18 minutes in the Instant Pot. And you can brown the ground beef right in that same pot. It’s fast, it’s quick, and it’s so darn easy.
- Perfect with cornbread. The chili is chunky, it’s hearty, it’s cozy and it’s perfect to dunk your buttery, crumbly buttermilk cornbread right in. Yes to all the cornbread, please.
tips and tricks for success
- Lean ground beef is ideal. The best ground beef has some fat – 80/20 or 85/15 are both great options. Extra lean meats can be drier (and blander).
- Cocoa powder is key here. Cocoa powder is a common secret ingredient used in chili, adding a layer of depth and richness. Always use unsweetened cocoa powder to avoid adding unnecessary sweetness.
- Use beer. The lager or pilsner beer here will add so much more flavor, acidity, texture and tenderness to the chili.
- Use good-quality stock. The better quality your stock, the better your chili. Many brands love to pack in the salt so always opt for unsalted or a lower-sodium variety.
- Add garnishes. Garnishes are always optional but a fresh sprinkle of cilantro or some shredded cheese will certainly take your chili to the next level, adding more flavor, texture and contrast.
what to serve with instant pot chili
Tools For This Recipe
6-qt Instant Pot®
The Best Instant Pot Chili: Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use ground beef?
Not at all! Ground pork or ground turkey can be used instead of ground beef.
Do I have to use beer?
The beer will add sweetness and acidity to the chili but additional beef stock can also be used as a non-alcoholic substitute.
How can I store leftovers?
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Is this freezer-friendly?
Yes! You can freeze the leftovers in individual freezer bags, thaw overnight, and reheat on the stovetop.
I don’t have an instant pot. Can I make chili in the slow cooker?
Yes, you absolutely can! Here is our easy slow cooker chili recipe – also one of our favorites.
The Best Instant Pot Chili
Hands down THE BEST chili ever. Done in less than 1 hour with no babysitting, no fuss! So easy and so flavorful!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ tablespoons canola oil
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium sweet onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 poblano chili, minced
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
- 12 ounces lager or pilsner beer
- 1 ½ cups beef stock
- 2 (10.75-ounce) cans tomato puree
- 2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Equipment
Instructions
- Set a 6-qt Instant Pot® to the high saute setting.
- Heat canola oil; add beef and cook until beef has browned, about 3-5 minutes, making sure to crumble the beef as it cooks. Drain excess fat and set aside.
- Add garlic, onion, bell pepper and chili to the Instant Pot®. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 4-6 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, chili powder, paprika, oregano, cocoa powder and cumin.
- Stir in beer, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Stir in beef stock, tomato puree, black beans and ground beef; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Select manual setting; adjust pressure to high, and set time for 18 minutes. When finished cooking, quick-release pressure according to manufacturer’s directions.
- Stir in cilantro; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Serve immediately, garnished with sour cream and cheese, if desired.
Video
Did you make this recipe?
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Wonderful! What type of intsta pot did you use? a 6 quart or 3 quart? Should I change the amounts of each ingredient if I am using a 3 quart pot?
The 6 quart is used here but when using the 3 quart, the general rule of thumb is to divide the recipe in half with the same cook time. But as always, please use your best judgment when making substitutions and modifications.
Second time making this, unbelievable how good it is. Truly the best chili you’ll ever eat. For this second go, I made it with a pound of ground beef and a pound of chorizo. With chorizo, I cut chili powder in half and used two jalapenos in place of pablano. WOW! Thank you for this amazing recipe!
Not sure what went wrong with my pot of chili but it is extremely bitter. I haven’t put on the pressure yet but preliminary taste test is bitter. I added some sugar and then some red wine vinegar to no avail.
do you have the buttermilk cornbread recipe available? am trying this chili tonight — on a dark, rainy Halloween night 🙂
thanks for sharing!
This is an oldie but goodie! 🙂
https://damndelicious.net/2011/12/30/jalapeno-cornbread/
Can i substitute with ground turkey vs beef? Also, is the recipe for 8 servings?
Yes and yes! 🙂
Hello! I really like this recipe… what if I wanted to double the recipe? How much liquid do I need… I wouldn’t think I would double the liquid too?
Unfortunately, without further recipe testing, we cannot answer with certainty. As always, please use your best judgment regarding substitutions and modifications.
Made this yesterday in my crockpot, and it turned out great! I browned the ground beef over the stove, drained and removed the ground beef like in the recipe. In the same pan sautéed the garlic, onion, and peppers. Added the rest of the ingredients except beans and ground beef to pan and cooked it for a bit. I was worried it would turn out runny so I cooked out some of the liquid. Stirred in beans and beef and then dumped it into my crockpot. Cooked on low for 5 hours, but was probably ready in 3 hours. My crockpot got too hot and I was afraid I’d burn the chili so I switched between low setting and warm. Turned out so yummy. Will definitely be making this recipe again!
Thanks so much for sharing with us!
This was my first Instant Pot recipe and it was a smash hit. I made a few adjustments: swapped out the beer for tomato juice (I’m not a big fan of beef stock and thought it might overpower the dish to just replace the beer with that as suggested), added a diced sweet potato, used a can of red kidney beans in place of one of the black beans, and I found it too bland so I added more salt, cayenne, and red pepper flakes. Increased pressure cooking time by 2 minutes because of the potato, just to be safe. Was so easy and the flavor combination was delightful. I especially appreciated that the cumin taste isn’t too strong.
Thank you so much for sharing with us! Happy you liked it!
Hi! Love all of your stuff. Unless I missed it, do you have a similar recipe that can be used in the crockpot instead? Thanks!
Not at this time – sorry! But you can try this butternut squash chili instead. It is so perfect for the fall and winter seasons!
https://damndelicious.net/2017/11/06/slow-cooker-butternut-squash-chili/
I was putting my grocery list together so I could make this and noticed the ingredient beef STOCK rather than beef broth. Are they different? I’ve never bought beef stock and wondered if there was a certain kind you would recommend?
They can be used interchangeably but if you prefer a light broth, it is best to use broth. Beef broth is typically made by boiling cuts of meat while stock is usually made from roasted bones and meat. Beef stock has a stronger, richer flavor.
I do not have a certain kind that I prefer. Any brand should work just fine. Hope that helps, Briana!
Thank you! I went with the beef stock and it was delicious!
Do you think I could freeze half of this after cooking? I never freeze things but am trying to build up a freezer stash… thanks!
Yes, you can freeze in plastic freezer bags (I like to lay them flat in the freezer to save on space), thaw in the fridge overnight, and reheat over low heat.
Thanks!! Made it today, it is cooking now. I am worried the beer I used was to strong it was an ipa. We shall see!
Let us know how it went!
It was fabulous! Although next time I will definitely use a light beer, the hoppy taste was strong. My daughter who usually eats anything, told me I wouldn’t win a cooking contest with this. LOL! Other than wrong beer, it was amazing!
Great!
This has becoming one of our family’s favourite recipes this season! I’ve substituted more beef stock instead of using beer and reduced on the chilli a little bit for taste, and yet it is still a big hit! I want to experiment adding mushrooms as well to this delicious pot of chilli! We’ve actually been making it, on average, once a week! Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe with the rest of us! 🙂
It’s so great! We’re happy you love it!
Can I use diced tomatoes instead of tomato puree? If so should I still use tomato paste? thanks want to make this tonight without running to the store
Unfortunately, without further recipe testing, we cannot answer with certainty. As always, please use your best judgment regarding substitutions and modifications.
Made this last night and it was “Damn Delicious”. The flavors were incredible, just the right amount of heat. Having it again tonight! Followed recipe exactly but I could have used a sous chef!!
Amazing! Glad you’re having it again.
I made this last night and it was delicious. Easily the best chili I’ve ever made and the Instapot made it so flavorful in the short time it cooked. This is my second DD recipe in 2 weeks and I am an avid new fan. Late to the party, but better late than never. Thank you for such wonderful recipes!
Can’t wait for you to try more of our recipes!
I just made this in my new instapot and oh-my-goodness!!
This is SO YUM! I had to sub a couple things I didn’t have, but none the less, it is truly the best chili I have every had.
I put in canned chili beans instead of one of the can’s of tomatoes puree. It’s SUPER DELISH! And really easy.
Great! Thanks, Vicki!
Can this be made in the Instant pot with stew meat instead of ground beef? and if so, how long. I haven’t used the Instant pot yet. This is my first try!!
Unfortunately, without further recipe testing, we cannot answer with certainty. As always, please use your best judgment regarding substitutions and modifications.
I would like to make your chili with beef stew meat instead of hamburger. Using hamburger, you pressure cook for 18 minutes per your recipe. How many minutes if I use beef stew meat instead?
What a great idea! But unfortunately, without further recipe testing, I cannot answer with certainty. As always, please use your best judgment when making substitutions and modifications.
Help! What kind of cocoa powder? No one drinks hot chocolate in our house.
Natural, unsweetened cocoa powder would be perfect for this.
anything you want to pick up at the bulk store will be most cost-efficient. do NOT substitute hot chocolate mix. it’s really not the same.
I made this chili and it was AWESOME! My family and kids loved it! I am a mom of 3 and cooking is a challenge. I recently got an instant pot as a present and am just learning to use it. This weekend I made 3 of your instant pot recipes (chili, broccoli mac & cheese, and potato corn chowder). Everything turned out great thanks to your detailed instructions, and videos! Thank you for doing what you do! You have my dream job!
It’s such a good one! Happy you and your family enjoyed it.