Description
This Instant Pot Beef Chili is a hearty and flavorful dish that combines lean ground beef, kidney beans, and a rich blend of spices. Perfect for a comforting meal, the recipe leverages the convenience of the Instant Pot to deliver a savory chili with minimal hands-on time. It’s ideal for busy weeknights and serves 6 people, making it both practical and delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Chili Base
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 pounds extra lean ground beef
- 1 (15 fluid ounce) can red kidney beans, drained
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 (28 fluid ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon paprika (smoked paprika works too)
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, adjust to taste)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Sauté the aromatics: Add the chopped onion and olive oil to your Instant Pot and sauté for 5 minutes until the onion softens and becomes fragrant.
- Brown the beef: Add the ground beef to the Instant Pot and cook for a few minutes, breaking it apart with a spoon until browned and no longer pink.
- Add the remaining ingredients: Stir in the drained kidney beans, tomato paste, diced tomatoes with juices, garlic powder, chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), water, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix well to combine all flavors.
- Pressure cook the chili: Close the Instant Pot lid, set the valve to “sealing”, and cook on high pressure for 12 minutes. Note that the Instant Pot will take around 10-15 minutes to come up to pressure before the cooking time starts.
- Release pressure: Once the cooking time finishes, carefully perform a quick release to release the steam. Alternatively, you can allow the pressure to release naturally if preferred.
- Serve and enjoy: Open the lid, give the chili a stir, then serve hot with your favorite toppings. This chili also freezes well for meal prep or future dinners.
Notes
- For a smoky flavor, use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika.
- The cayenne pepper is optional and can be adjusted based on your preferred spice level.
- You can add toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, or fresh cilantro for extra flavor.
- Leftover chili freezes well in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
- Using extra lean ground beef reduces fat content, making this a healthier chili option.
