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Instant Pot Chili Recipe

Instant Pot Chili Recipe – There have been many nights that this Instant Pot Chili Recipe is literally saving my family. Without this chili recipe, they would be eating sandwiches for dinner again. Perfectly delicious, this Instant Pot Chili Recipe will be loved by everyone in your family.

Instant Pot Chili Recipe – Perfect for Busy Weeknight Dinners

With the kids back in school and playing travel sports, our weeks have gotten very busy. But as I always say, you can always find a silver lining in your struggles if you look. The silver lining to the busyness lately is that I have 100% fallen in love with my Instant Pot. This new cleaned up Instant Pot Chili recipe has become a weekly staple.

Is the Instant Pot Easy to Use?

Yes, my Instant Pot has become such a staple in our house. And yes, it’s easy enough that my husband can use it too. I am not a big fan of fancy cooking gadgets and and new technology almost always overwhelms me. When I initially heard about the Instant Pot it seemed like a complicated new-age appliance that would take me forever to learn. Let’s just say I wasn’t jumping on the bandwagon to buy one like all of the other food bloggers were!

Instant Pot Recipes

The reason I got an Instant Pot was because readers were asking me for clean Instant Pot recipes. I’m probably the least competent tech-savvy food blogger that exists. So even after I brought my Instant Pot home I let it sit in the box for ages.

But honest and truly, the Instant Pot has to be one of the easiest cooking appliances I have ever used.

instant pot chili recipe

Why I Like the Instant Pot Better Than a Slow Cooker

Once I started using it, I found the Instant Pot to be far superior to the slow cooker for 2 reasons.

#1: You Can Saute Directly in the Instant Pot Cooking Vessel

One of the biggest reasons slow cooked recipes can sometimes be a disappointment is the prep time. Most slow cooker recipes have you throw everything in the pot, set it and forget it.

FYI: Some Recipes Require a Pre-Saute

But, if you don’t pre-saute certain ingredients, the recipe simply won’t turn out as good as it should. Whether you make this chili recipe in an Instant Pot or a Slow Cooker, you really need to pre-saute the meat, and vegetables first.

Most recipes when using a slow cooker require you to saute seperately and then combine into the cooker. If you use the Instant Pot, you can just saute everything directly in the pot before you close the lid and turn on the pressure. In other words, the Instant Pot enables you to truly make a one-dish dinner. And one less dish to clean is one BIG perk as far as I’m concerned.

#2: The Instant Pot Cooks Everything to Perfection in Minutes!

Just like this Instant Pot chili recipe, it is ready in just a matter of minutes. I realize a lot of home cooks might prefer the idea of prepping their evening meal in the morning. Then, letting it slow cook hands-free all day. But, for me and my lifestyle I just honestly have a really hard time prepping (remembering) dinner at breakfast time.

So for me, the fact that I can wait until the very last minute with an Instant Pot recipe and still end up with a dinner that tastes like it’s been simmering all day is another BIG perk.

instant pot chili recipe

How to Make the Healthiest Instant Pot Chili Recipe

My Instant Pot Chili recipe is the healthiest because it has less meat and more vegetables! As you know, we are not vegan but still emphasize the importance of eating less meat and more plants. However, if you are new here, then here are 5 reasons why eating less meat and more vegetable based protein is best.

5 Reasons this is the BEST Instant Pot Chili Recipe:

#1: There are Less Toxins in Vegetables

Animal foods are highest on the food chain. The higher you go on the food chain the more toxins accumulate. Therefore, reducing your animal intake and replacing it with unrefined “whole” plant foods is a great way to reduce your toxin load. By the way, ALL unrefined “whole” plant foods have protein. Yes, even lettuce has protein!.

#2: Plant Protein is an Excellent Resource of Fiber

Unrefined, unprocessed “whole” plant proteins always come packaged with anti-inflammatory fiber. Please note the emphasis on the fact that the plant proteins must be in their unrefined, unprocessed form in order to also have fiber.

Adding more beans and vegetables into the chili are loaded with anti-inflammatory fiber too.

#3: Load up on Disease-Fighting Phytonutrients

You can add more disease-fighting phytonutrients to your diet and slow the aging process while reducing inflammation. And the only way to increase your intake of phytonutrients is to eat more plants and less animal foods. That’s because animal foods do not contain phytonutrients. You can read more about why phytonutrients are so important for good health HERE!

instant pot chili recipe

#4: More Plants, Less Calories

Ounce for ounce, swapping “whole” plant foods that are rich in protein for animal food will reduce your calorie intake. Most importantly, the plant foods still take up a lot of bulk and space in your stomach. Which means they help work mechanically to keep you feeling full and satisfied.

#5: Reduced Saturated Fats by Using Less Meat

In general, Animal-based saturated fat is pro-inflammatory and so the less of it you can eat, the better.

instant pot chili recipe

Delicious Sides to Pair with this Instant Pot Chili Recipe:

As you know, we are big on side dish recipes around here. It’s a great way to add more vegetables to your dinner plan or make a nutritious whole grain or grain free addition. Try some of these side dishes… and don’t forget to add our homemade sour cream or lime crema recipe.

  • Cornbread Recipe – The secret to making this recipe for Cornbread Muffins both delicious and nutritious is from using plant-based milks.
  • Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip – Loaded with vegetables and a vegan based cheese, you are going to love this recipe for Healthier Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip. Pair with carrot and celery sticks.
  • Homemade Tortilla Chips – Baked corn tortilla chips homemade style taste so much better than anything you can buy. Just 3 simple ingredients and the crunch and sea salt factor is out of this world.
  • Gluten Free Dinner Biscuits – Well, this new gluten free dinner biscuit recipe did not quite make it to dinner in our house! I decided to try the recipe on a weekend morning and by the time dinner rolled around every single biscuit had been eaten. Yes, they are that delicious.
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Instant Pot Chili Recipe

Instant Pot Chili Recipe is perfect with tortilla chips or warm cornbread muffins. The flavor of this instant pot recipe is perfect.

instant pot chili recipe
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  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 minutes
  • Total Time: 23 minutes
  • Yield: 6-8 1x

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 pound grass-fed organic ground beef
  • 2 teaspoons sea salt, divided
  • 1 cup Spanish onion, finely chopped
  • 1 cup red bell pepper, finely chopped
  • 1 cup green bell pepper, finely chopped
  • 1 cup carrots, finely chopped
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 128 ounce can organic diced tomatoes
  • 114.5 ounces kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can – 14.5 ounces pinto beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1/4 cup lime juice

Instructions

INSTANT POT CHILI RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Using the SAUTE function, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in the pressure cooker pot. Add the ground beef, spread it over the oil, and let it brown without stirring for about 5 minutes. Sprinkle the beef with 1 teaspoon of the sea salt and saute for 2 more minutes, or until meat is no longer pink. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the meat to a separate plate.
  2. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil and stir in the chopped onion, bell peppers, carrots, garlic and 1 teaspoons salt. Saute until vegetables are soft.
  3. Stir in the tomato paste, chili powder, oregano and cumin and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the reserved meat along with any juices from the plate, plus the tomatoes, beans and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt.
  4. Lock the lid into place and cook on HIGH PRESSURE for 8 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally.
  5. Stir in the lime juice just before serving. To serve, top with chopped cilantro, avocado and a dollop of  dairy free sour cream

IF USING A VITACLAY SLOW COOKER:

  1. In a 10″ ceramic skillet on medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil. Add the ground beef, spread it over the oil, and let the beef brown, stirring ocassionally. Sprinkle the beef with 1 teaspoon sea salt and saute for 2 more minutes, or until meat is no longer pink.
  2. In the 8 cup VitaClay slow cooker, add the meat, chopped onion, bell peppers, carrots, garlic and 1 teaspoons salt. Stir to combine.
  3. Next, add the tomato paste, chili powder, oregano and cumin. Stir in the tomatoes and beans.
  4. Put the lid on the chili and cook for 4 hours. If using a classic slow cooker, you can also cook on HIGH for 4 hours or 7-8 hours on LOW.
  5. Stir in the lime juice just before serving. To serve, top with chopped cilantro, avocado and a dollop of dairy free sour cream

Last Step! If you loved our recipe, leave us a review below. This helps future recipe makers and ensures continued high-quality recipes for years to come!

© 2024 clean cuisine Recipe by:

P.S. If you are looking for more clean Instant Pot recipes be sure to check out my 17-minute Instant Pot Chicken Curry with Vegetables, Instant Pot Stroganoff (Dairy Free!) and my Instant Pot White Bean Soup Recipe! 

Ivy Larson

In 2010, Clean Cuisine was launched because Ivy Larson wanted to share her anti-inflammatory lifestyle and delicious recipes using ingredients in their most natural and nutrient-rich state. In 2020, Ivy passed the website to Aimee and Madison. Since then, they have been adding new recipes and nutrition posts while updating old recipes and articles. Thanks for visiting Clean Cuisine!

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