Instant Pot Chili (Pressure Cooker Chili)

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This thick, hearty Instant Pot Chili, or Pressure Cooker Chili, is super flavorful with its homemade chili seasoning!

It is easy to make and even easier to make in an Instant Pot!

Table of Contents

• What Style of Chili Is This?
• Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• How To Make Homemade Chili Seasoning
• What You’ll Need
• Equipment
• Recipe Tips
• How To Thicken Chili
• Can I Make Chili A Day Ahead?
• How Do I Store Leftover Chili?
• Can I Freeze Chili?
• What To Serve With Chili
• More Unique Chili Recipes
• Recipe
• Reviews

What Style of Chili Is This?

What does chili mean to you? Someone from Texas would say that Texas chili has beef cubes, no ground beef, and no beans, but with bold flavors.

Cincinnati chili, or Skyline chili, on the other hand, with ground beef and Mediterranean spices, sometimes including chocolate, is often served over spaghetti or hot dogs.

Boilermaker Chili is a popular style of chili that is associated with Purdue University. It has ground beef, chili beans, tomatoes, hot sauce, and many other flavors.

What style of chili is this recipe? I would say this recipe is a variation, or adaptation, of Boilermaker Chili made in the Instant Pot.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Hearty. You’ll love this thick, hearty chili made with beef and beans in a beefy tomato broth.

Instant Pot Recipe. This recipe I have converted to be cooked in an Instant Pot. I think this is the best chili recipe and one that your whole family will love.

Flavorful. It is so flavorful, like my other Instant Pot Soup recipes, and easy to make, like my other easy recipes! While I love to use my slow cooker, I like to use the Instant Pot when I don’t have all day to wait for chili because the Instant Pot reduces the cooking time substantially.

Homemade Chili Seasoning. However, the real secret to this incredible chili is my homemade chili seasoning recipe.

How To Make Homemade Chili Seasoning

However, the real secret to this incredible chili is my homemade chili seasoning recipe.

The first step in making homemade chili seasoning is to gather all your ingredients. You will need the following spices. (Scroll down to the printable recipe card below for all the specific amounts of each ingredient.)

• Chili powder
• Garlic powder
• Dried oregano
• Ground cumin
• Paprika – can be smoked paprika but does not have to be.
• Italian seasoning – includes dried oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, and other seasonings.
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Cayenne pepper (optional – and if used, adjust to taste)

The next step is to measure out all the ingredients.  I measured out each ingredient on a plate to give you a visual of how much of each ingredient is included. As mentioned above, please scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the blog post for the specific amounts.

Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and store them in an airtight container if you are not going to use them right away.

Otherwise, if you are going to use it in this recipe, you will just add all the seasoning to the ground beef in the Instant Pot! 

What You’ll Need

Equipment

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• Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker
• Soup Ladle

Chili Ingredients

• Oil - You can use many types of oil for this as long as they can handle high heat. Oils include vegetable oil, olive oil (but not extra virgin olive oil), peanut oil, avocado oil, etc. I don't recommend extra virgin olive oil because that is not designed for high heat.)
• Ground Beef - I used lean ground beef. However, you could use ground beef with more fat or sausage and drain off the grease after you saute the beef but before adding the beans and other ingredients. To lighten up further, you could use ground turkey or chicken instead of ground beef.
• Onion - I used a white onion. However, you could use yellow or Vidalia onions. 
• Jalapeno Pepper - This is completely optional. And how many you use depends on how spicy you like your chili. Also, if you like hotter chili, leave the seeds in. If you want to reduce the spicy heat, then remove the seeds. One seeded jalapeno added to the chili makes a mildly spicy chili. If you want it spicier, add more jalapenos or leave the seeds in. However, you could also use other chili peppers, such as red chili pepper or anaheim pepper. If you don’t want to mess with chili peppers, just add some red pepper flakes to the chili. If you don’t want any spicy heat, then try using a red or green bell pepper.
• Garlic - I use 2 - 3 minced garlic cloves in this chili.
• Chili Seasoning - You could use a store-bought package if you like or make the homemade chili seasoning that is included in this recipe. 
• Chili Beans - These are pinto beans in a mildly spicy sauce. If you can't find chili beans, pinto beans or black beans make a good substitute.
• Diced Tomatoes and Chilies - If you can't find the diced tomatoes and chilies, then substitute 1 can of diced tomatoes and 1 can of green chilies for 1 can of diced tomatoes and chilies.
• Tomato Paste - If you don't have tomato paste, you can use tomato sauce, but then I would reduce the amount of beef broth by 1/4 cup.
• Beef Broth - Many people use beer instead of beef broth. Or, if you choose, you could make your own beef stock. Any of these would work.
• Hot Sauce - This is completely optional, depending on how spicy you like your chili. The amount also will vary depending on how your preferred spice level.
• Worcestershire - This adds extra depth to the flavor. There is really no substitute for it. If you don't have it or can't find it, I recommend leaving it out.
• Garnishes - Top your chili with your favorite toppings, such as cheddar cheese, sour cream, green onions, crushed tortilla chips, or any of your favorite chili toppings.

How To Make Instant Pot Chili

Press the “SAUTE” button on the Instant Pot.

Add oil and wait until it is hot. Once the oil is hot, add the ground beef, chopped onions, diced jalapenos, minced garlic, and chili seasoning to the Instant Pot.

Stir occasionally to get the meat to brown all over.

Press “Cancel” to stop the Saute function.

Drain any excess grease. 

Add the chili beans, diced tomatoes, and chilies with juice, tomato paste, beef broth, hot sauce (if desired), and Worcestershire sauce.

Close and lock the lid. Move the seal to the “Sealing” position.

Press “Pressure Cook,” set the Pressure level to High Pressure, and change the time to 20 minutes. It will take a few minutes for the Instant Pot to come up to the pressure level before it starts to cook.

After cooking for 20 minutes, let the Instant Pot release pressure naturally for about 10 minutes, and then do a quick release.

Ladle the chili into soup bowls and garnish with your favorite toppings, such as cheese, sour cream, green onions, etc.

Recipe Tips

• Prevent Sticking – Prevent getting a burn notice from the Instant Pot by adding a little beef broth after browning the meat, and using a wooden spoon, scrape the browned bits of food from the bottom of the pot. This will prevent the food from getting stuck to the bottom of the pot and burning, which will prevent receiving the burn notice.
• Chili Setting – Can you use the chili setting on the Instant Pot, yes you certainly can. I choose not to so I can better control the cook time and the release to get the chili just the way I like it.

How To Thicken Chili

If, after cooking, you want to make your chili thicker, try one of the following options to thicken it.

1. Stir in a couple of tablespoons of cornmeal. This will help thicken it up. If you made cornbread with this chili, you will likely have some on hand.
2. In a measuring cup, stir together 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of COLD water. Pour the mixture into the chili and stir. Give it about 5 minutes or so to thicken up.

Can I Make Chili A Day Ahead?

Yes! As a matter of fact, chili tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld together. Cover and refrigerate the chili until you are ready to serve the next day.

How Do I Store Leftover Chili?

Place the chili in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Can I Freeze Chili?

Yes, store the chili in a freezer-safe airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.

What To Serve With Chili

1. Cornbread. For me, the natural side dish to go with chili is cornbread.  I recommend making this Easy Homemade Buttermilk Cornbread recipe.
2. Bread, Rolls, or Biscuits. If you don’t have cornbread, pair the Instant Pot Chili with some crusty bread or rolls, or biscuits.  All would be delicious.
3. Hot Dogs.  Pour the chili over hot dogs to make chili dogs.
4. Baked Potatoes. Another option is to pour the chili over a baked potato and top it with cheese!! Delicious.
5. Green Salad. Pair the chili with a green salad for a lower-carb option.

More Unique Chili Recipes

1. Mediterranean Vegetarian Chili is an easy delicious one-pot 30-minute meal that is perfect for a Sunday supper or an easy weeknight meatless meal. 
2. Pumpkin Chipotle Vegetarian Chili is an easy delicious one-pot 30-minute meal that is perfect for a Sunday supper or an easy weeknight meatless meal.
3. Crockpot Chicken Chili is made with chicken and white beans for a delicious comfort chili.

Recipe