Get the most delicious chili in a fraction of the time with your trusty pressure cooker! So rich and flavorful, this chili is easy to make, perfectly comforting and so so tasty!
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Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the
recipe card at the bottom of the post.
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.
Quite honestly, there is never a bad time for chili! It's a constant in our house! When you don't have hours to spend to watch a simmering pot, grab your pressure cooker for an effortless family dinner.
So hearty and rich in flavor, this Instant Pot chili is ready to serve within an hour, and it's great for meal prep too!
For more hearty pressure cooker recipes, be sure to check out my Vegetable Soup and Chicken and Potatoes.
How to make pressure cooker chili
- Gather your ingredients.
- Chop the onion, garlic and jalapeno.
- Turn the pressure cooker on the high-sauté function. Once the display says “HOT,” add oil. Add onions, jalapeño, and garlic cloves and sauté for about 5-7 minutes, until onions have softened.
- Add ground beef and stir, cooking until ground beef is no longer pink and is browned. Then add chili powder, cumin, oregano, Worcestershire sauce and stir until combined.
- Press Cancel on the pressure cooker. Add vegetable juice, water, kidney beans, yellow corn kernels, and brown sugar. Do not stir. Cover the pressure and cook on high pressure for 35 minutes.
- Once pressure cooking time is up, allow the pressure to natural release for at least 15 minutes.
- Once all pressure is released, press Cancel on the pressure cooker and open the lid. Stir the chili. It will appear watery. Press the sauté button and allow the chili to simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s reduced to your likeness. Salt to taste.
What do you serve it with?
This chili is great to serve by itself in a big bowl with your favorite toppings. I love to serve it with my Cornbread Muffins or you can serve it on a bed of rice.
When it comes to toppings, for me, you can never have enough! Try topping it with:
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Fresh jalapeños
- Sliced avocado
- Guacamole
- Salsa
- Crispy tortilla strips
Can you make it ahead of time?
If you are getting organized, pressure cooker chili is a great recipe for meal prep. Once you've made it, let it cool completely before placing in an airtight container and it will keep well for 4 to 5 days. Reheat it gently on the stovetop, or in the microwave, until warmed through to serve.
The flavors develop even more the next day, so leftovers are always really tasty!
Can you freeze it?
Yes! This freezes really well! It will keep well for up to 6 months, I always have some in my freezer! Thaw the chili in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- The chili will appear watery once you open the lid after pressure cooking as the water hasn’t had the chance to evaporate. Simmer after pressure cooking to reduce the water amount and build flavor.
- This chili is relatively mild. If you like it spicier, add a little cayenne.
- Feel free to add in other veggies that you have in your fridge. Mushrooms, bell peppers and carrots all work really well.
Watch this video tutorial and see how I make this chili from start to finish.
More Pressure Cooker Recipes
- Creamy Instant Pot Chicken Tacos
- Creamy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Instant Pot Turkey Breast (Bone-in or Boneless)
- North Carolina Instant Pot Pulled Pork
Pressure Cooker (Instant Pot) Chili
Ingredients
- 2 Tbs oil
- 2 yellow onions chopped
- 2 jalapeño chopped
- 4 garlic cloves chopped
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 Tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 ½ cup vegetable juice like V8
- ¾ cup water
- 1 can red kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 1 cup yellow corn kernels frozen
- ½ Tablespoon brown sugar
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Turn the pressure cooker on the high-sauté function. Once the display says “HOT,” add oil. Add onions, jalapeño, and garlic cloves and sauté for about 5-7 minutes, until onions have softened. Add ground beef and stir, cooking until ground beef is no longer pink and is browned. Add chili powder, cumin, oregano, Worcestershire sauce and stir until combined.
- Press Cancel on the pressure cooker. Add vegetable juice, water, kidney beans, yellow corn kernels, and brown sugar. Do not stir. Cover the pressure and cook on high pressure for 35 minutes. Once pressure cooking time is up, allow the pressure to natural release for at least 15 minutes.
- Once all pressure is released, press Cancel on the pressure cooker and open the lid. Stir the chili. It will appear watery. Press the sauté button and allow the chili to simmer for 5-10 minutes until it’s reduced to your likeness. Salt to taste.
Video
Notes
- The chili will appear watery once you open the lid after pressure cooking as the water hasn’t had the chance to evaporate. Simmer after pressure cooking to reduce the water amount and build flavor.
- This chili is relatively mild. If you like it spicier, add a little cayenne.
- Feel free to add in other veggies that you have in your fridge. Mushrooms, bell peppers and carrots all work really well.
Michelle says
This is the best chili I’ve ever made, hands down. I did add a heaping teaspoon of sea salt before cooking, and the salt level was just right.
Tanya says
Thanks so much Michelle! So happy you liked the chili recipe.
Judy Kather says
I am planning on doubling this recipe. How much longer should I cook it?
Tanya says
Hi Judy, I usually keep the cooking time the same when I double the ingredients for chili in the pressure cooker. It just takes a bit longer to rise to pressure.
Jonell says
I do a lot of soup in my instant pot. I am confused about why 35 minutes in pressure cooker when everything is sauteed and using canned beans. Is 35 minutes correct? Couldn't I just use 15 minutes?
Tanya says
Hi Jonell, you can use 15 if you like. 35 worked for me to provide the best flavor results.
Lia says
could I substitute vegetable broth instead of vegetable juice? thanks!
Tanya says
Hi Lia, you could...but it would change the taste and texture a bit.
Joan Darrin says
sounds great. i like alot of beans, would it change much if i added 2 cans of beans?
Tanya says
Hi Joan, it would likely just be a little less liquidy, but 2 cans should work just fine.
Susan says
It sounds amazing, I would like to use dried kidney beans instead of canned.
Please advise.