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This Instant Pot Beef Chili Recipe is my go-to comfort food meal for cold nights, game days, and meal prep! A classic beef chili, it’s packed with ground beef, veggies, beans, and warm spices for a hearty meal everyone will love.
Quick to prepare, this easy beef chili recipe is also gluten-free, dairy-free, and Whole30-friendly!
Classic Beef Chili Recipe in the Instant Pot!
Is there anything better than a classic chili recipe? My favorite! Whether it’s slow cooker white chicken chili, turkey chili, or sweet potato chili, it always hits the spot! I love them all, but my favorite option might be this Instant Pot beef chili recipe, sometimes also known as Texas chili.
The best chili recipe you’ll ever taste, it’s thick, chunky, and loaded with warm, savory flavor that keeps you coming back for more. Even better, the use of the Instant Pot cuts down on prep time and allows the ingredients to cook super quickly so I can get in and out of the kitchen with a total time of just over 30 minutes!
Plus, leftovers store and freeze well, making this the perfect freezer meal to keep on hand. I recommend making a double batch and storing leftovers for a busy night! Serve your chili warm, loaded up with all your favorite toppings, and you’ll have a nutritious, fiber-packed, high-protein recipe even the pickiest eaters enjoy.
Ingredients Needed and Substitutions
*Scroll down to the recipe card for the full recipe and ingredient list and nutrition information including calories, carbohydrates, sodium, etc.!
- Oil: I typically use olive oil for this recipe, but avocado oil also works.
- Veggies: Garlic, onion, bell peppers (I like green and red bell peppers), carrots, and celery add lots of vitamins and nutrients. Then, we use canned crushed tomatoes (or tomato sauce) for extra flavor and a more savory base.
- Ground Beef: I prefer to use lean ground beef, 80% or leaner. You can also substitute ground turkey or ground chicken if preferred.
- Water or Chicken Broth: Broth is my secret ingredient for creating a richer flavor! I use chicken broth, but beef broth works well, too.
- Seasonings: Sea salt, black pepper, chili powder, paprika, ground cumin, celery seed, and cayenne pepper create a delicious, bold, savory taste with just a touch of heat. For even more flavor, feel free to add garlic powder or oregano, too.
- Beans: I use a combination of black beans and kidney beans, but you can use one or the other. Or, use pinto beans if preferred. If you need to keep this dish Whole30, omit the beans completely.
Where I Buy My Meat
- 100% Grass-Fed, Grass-Finished Beef
- Free-Range Organic Chicken
- Humanely Raised Pork
- Wild-Caught Seafood
Delivered to your door! The latest ButcherBox deal can be found right here!
How to Make This Instant Pot Beef Chili Recipe
- Sauté: Heat the oil using the sauté function on your Instant Pot. Once hot, add the onions, peppers, carrots, and celery, Cook, stirring occasionally, until the veggies soften.
- Brown the meat: Add the garlic and ground beef to the pot, and cook, breaking it into pieces until no pink remains.
- Combine: Add the remaining ingredients except the beans.
- Cook: Cover the Instant Pot, and set the steam valve to sealing. Cook on manual high pressure. Then, use a quick pressure release. Add in the beans, and cook until they’re warmed through.
- Season: Adjust the seasonings to taste, and serve warm with your desired garnishes and toppings! If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also use this ground beef chili recipe over hot dogs for homemade chili dogs!
Kitchen Tools I Use
Stovetop Option
If you don’t have an Instant Pot, you can easily make this recipe on the stovetop instead! To do so:
- Sauté the veggies in oil in a large pot or Dutch oven until tender.
- Brown the beef with the garlic, and drain any excess fat.
- Add the remaining ingredients except the beans, bring the mixture to a boil, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 2 hours.
- Stir in the beans, and warm through.
- Adjust the seasonings, and add more water or broth as needed. Enjoy!
Topping Ideas
You can’t have a beef chili recipe without toppings! Feel free to mix and match whatever you like best. However, if you’re looking for inspiration, some of our favorite options include:
- Green Onions
- Avocado Slices
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- Cilantro
- Diced or Marinated Onions
- Cilantro
- Diced Tomatoes
- Guacamole
- Tortilla Chips
- Shredded Lettuce
- Sour Cream
FAQs
For a thicker consistency, let your chili simmer a bit longer, or gently mash some of the beans. I don’t recommend but you can also create a flour or cornstarch slurry by combining one tablespoon of flour or cornstarch with two tablespoons of water in a small bowl and stirring it into the chili.
I love to serve this recipe with a side of jalapeño cheddar cornbread muffins or easy gluten free cornbread to soak up every last drop! However, it’s also great with a side of baked sweet potato fries, a Caesar salad, or a spring mix salad.
Stored in an airtight container, leftover chili will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Once cool, you can store leftover chili in freezer-safe containers or storage bags for about 3 months. Thaw in the fridge, and warm in the microwave or over medium heat on the stovetop to serve.
More Instant Pot Recipes To Try
Watch The Video:
Instant Pot Beef Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion diced
- 2 medium bell peppers diced (I like green and red)
- 2 large carrots peel and diced
- 2 celery ribs diced optional
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 2 (15 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
- 1 cup water or chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons fine sea salt more to taste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper more to taste
- 1 tablespoon chili powder more as needed
- 1 tablespoon paprika more as needed
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin more as needed
- 1 teaspoon celery seed
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
- 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans rinsed and drained optional
- 1 (15 ounce) can black beans rinse and drained optional
Topping Ideas
- Green Onions
- Avocado Slices
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- Cilantro
- Diced or Marinated Onions
- Cilantro
- Diced Tomatoes
- Guacamole
- Tortilla Chips
- Shredded Lettuce
- Sour Cream
Instructions
- Heat the oil using the saute function in a 6 or 8 quart Instant Pot. Once hot add onions, peppers, carrots, celery, and cook, stirring occasionally, until very softened, about 10 minutes.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 large onion, 2 medium bell peppers, 2 large carrots, 2 celery ribs
- Add in the garlic and the ground beef and cook until no pink remains, about 5-8 minutes.3 garlic cloves, 2 pounds ground beef
- Add in the remainder of the ingredients, except the beans.2 (15 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes, 1 cup water or chicken broth, 2 teaspoons fine sea salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 tablespoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon celery seed, 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
- Cover and set the steam valve to sealing. Cook on manual high pressure for 15 minutes and then once done, use a quick pressure release.
- Open lid and add in the beans and cook until warmed through.1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, 1 (15 ounce) can black beans
- Taste and adjust spices as desired! I’ll often add a bit more salt, cumin, and chili powder as desired.
- Serve with desired garnishes.Green Onions, Avocado Slices, Shredded Cheddar Cheese, Cilantro, Diced or Marinated Onions, Diced Tomatoes, Guacamole, Shredded Lettuce, Sour Cream, Tortilla Chips
Notes
- Omit beans to make this Whole30 compliant and paleo-friendly!
- Store in the refrigerator for 1 week or store in the freezer for up to 3 months!
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Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat.
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Once hot, add the onions, peppers, carrots, and celery, and cook, stirring occasionally, until very softened, about 10 minutes.
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Add in the garlic and the ground beef, and cook until no pink remains, about 8 minutes.
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Add in the remainder of the ingredients except the beans, and stir together.
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Bring the mixture to a boil. Then, reduce heat to simmer until very thickened about 1-1/2 to 2 hours, adding more water if necessary. Taste and adjust spices as desired!
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Serve with desired garnishes.
