When life gets busy, nothing beats a warm, hearty bowl of chili to bring everyone together. This Instant Pot chili is a lifesaver, turning simple ingredients into a flavorful masterpiece in record time.
Whether you’re cooking for your family, hosting a casual get-together, or meal-prepping for the week, this recipe delivers all the rich, satisfying flavors of traditional chili without the hours-long simmering process.
What Makes This Instant Pot Chili So Special
The Instant Pot has revolutionized how we cook, and this chili is no exception. What makes it a game-changer? It’s all about speed and depth of flavor. The pressure cooking locks in the spices, tenderizes the beef, and infuses every bite with bold, rich taste—all in just 12 minutes of cooking time. No hovering over the stove, no endless stirring—just set it and forget it.
Tips for Chili Perfection
This chili is already easy to make, but these tips will help you take it from great to unforgettable:
- Customize the Heat Level: Whether you like it mild or spicy, this chili is easy to tweak. Add cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeños for heat, or stick to the recipe as is for a family-friendly version.
- Go Low and Slow (Optional): While the Instant Pot speeds things up, you can use the slow cooker setting if you prefer a longer, more gradual cooking process.
- Thicken It Up: If your chili feels a little thin, don’t worry. Stir in tomato paste after cooking for a heartier texture. You can also simmer it a little longer using the sauté function.
What to Serve with Instant Pot Chili
This chili shines on its own, but pairing it with the right sides and toppings takes it to another level:
- Low-Carb Crackers or Tortilla Chips: Perfect for scooping up all the goodness.
- Cauliflower Rice or Zoodles: Keep it low carb with these delicious and filling alternatives to traditional sides.
- Toppings Galore: Personalize each bowl with shredded cheese, diced avocado, sour cream, or fresh cilantro. The toppings add a touch of creaminess and freshness to balance the hearty chili.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This isn’t just any chili—it’s your go-to recipe for effortless comfort food. With pantry staples like ground beef, tomatoes, and a few spices, you can create a meal that feels indulgent but fits into your low-carb or keto lifestyle, if that’s your thing. It’s perfect for batch cooking, reheats beautifully, and freezes like a dream.
More Ways to Enjoy This Chili
Don’t limit this recipe to just a bowl and spoon! Here are some creative ideas to reinvent your leftovers:
- Chili-Stuffed Bell Peppers: Hollow out a bell pepper, stuff it with chili, top with cheese, and bake until bubbly.
- Chili Topped Over Greens: Use it as a warm, savory topping for a bed of crisp romaine or spinach.
- Chili Nachos: Layer it over cheese crisps or low-carb tortilla chips for a fun snack.
Instant Pot chili isn’t just a recipe—it’s a lifesaver for busy days, game nights, and meal prep sessions. It’s customizable, versatile, and endlessly satisfying. Once you try this quick and easy chili, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.
Instant Pot Chili
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion diced
- 10 ounces Rotel tomatoes
- 28 ounces crushed or diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 28 ounces beef broth
- 6 ounces tomato paste optional
Instructions
- Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and cook the ground beef with the diced onion until the beef is browned and the onion is softened.
- Add the Rotel tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, curry powder, and beef broth into the Instant Pot. Stir to combine.
- Without stirring again, secure the lid onto the Instant Pot and ensure the valve is set to sealing mode.
- Select the chili/bean setting and adjust the cooking time to 12 minutes. Allow the Instant Pot to come to pressure, cook, and release pressure naturally.
- Once the pressure has fully released, carefully switch the valve to venting. If the chili needs thickening, stir in the tomato paste until fully dissolved and heated through.
- Ladle into bowls, serve, and enjoy your hearty Instant Pot chili!