Easy Weeknight Dinner: Instant Pot Chili
When the craving for a hearty, comforting meal hits, nothing beats a warm bowl of chili. But when it’s a busy weeknight with therapy appointments, homework, one year old twins who need to go to bed - time is short. So standing over a simmering pot isn’t always an option. Enter this Instant Pot chili recipe — the perfect solution for busy nights when you need a quick, flavorful meal. With just a handful of ingredients and the magic of pressure cooking, you can have a delicious, homemade chili on the table in under an hour. It’s comforting, easy to make, and packed with flavor. So grab your Instant Pot and get ready to make a weeknight dinner the whole family will love!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Instant Pot chili is thick, rich, and bursting with flavor, yet quick enough to whip up any night of the week. By using the sauté function to brown the meat before pressure cooking, you’re layering in all that savory goodness with almost no effort and less clean up! Plus, it’s completely customizable—feel free to adjust the spices, add your favorite beans, or toss in extra veggies!
This is the instant pot I have and I LOVE it because it’s an 11-in-1 model so it can do so much more than just pressure cook or slow cook!
Ingredients:
2lbs ground beef (I use 90/20 fat) or ground turkey
(1) 32oz can of crushed tomatoes
(2) 16 oz cans of diced tomatoes, with juices
(1) can of pinto or chili beans, drained
(1) can of tomato sauce
3 TBSP chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp paprika (adjust to taste)
3 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
1/4 tsp black pepper
Directions:
Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode and add the olive oil. Once hot, add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula as it browns. Cook for about 5 minutes, until fully browned.
Add the beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes. Stir everything together to combine.
Add the chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, black pepper, onion powder and garlic powder. Stir to combine
Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and set it to Manual or Pressure Cook on High for 15 minutes.
Once the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then carefully turn the valve to release any remaining pressure.
Open the lid and give the chili a good stir. Taste and adjust the seasonings if needed.
Serve hot with your favorite toppings
Topping Ideas
This chili is delicious on its own but can be elevated with some tasty toppings:
• Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt
• Freshly chopped cilantro or green onions
• Sliced jalapeños for an extra kick
• Crushed tortilla chips or a family favorite for us is getting Frito scoops and using that in place of a spoon!
The Verdict:
This easy Instant Pot chili is everything you need in a weeknight meal: quick, hearty, and packed with flavor. Whether you’re feeding the family or meal-prepping for the week, it’s bound to become a new go-to. Adjust the spices to your liking, top it with your favorite extras, and enjoy that cozy, homemade taste in record time!
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Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Pulled Sandwiches
