Instant Pot Chili Perfect Weeknight Dinner

As much as we love a thick and hearty traditional chili recipe, a no-fuss Instant Pot chili recipe makes the perfect family dinner for busy weeknights. Serve it alongside cornbread or 30 minute dinner rolls for the perfect meal!

How to Make Chili in an Instant Pot

Instant Pot Chili shouldn’t take more than 60 minutes to cook from start to finish. Then, to thicken, you’ll need to add more time. The amount of time depends on what thickening method you use.

But first, you need to cook the chili in the Instant Pot:

Brown Beef Set the Instant Pot to sauté and brown the ground beef in two batches (drain fat).
Deglaze Instant Pot Add beer and beef broth and scrape up any brown bits in the bottom of the pan. This is important to avoid getting a “burn” message on the Instant Pot.
Add Ingredients Layer each of the other ingredients on top of the ground beef, then peppers, then beans, and ending with the tomatoes. I add tomatoes last, to prevent them from burning.

How Long to Cook Chili in Instant Pot

Use the chili setting for 20 minutes and let the Instant Pot natural release when the cycle is done. (You can release it sooner if you’re in a hurry, the natural release allows the flavors to blend more).

How to Thicken Instant Pot Chili

This easy Instant Pot chili has a substantial amount of flavor-rich broth, thanks to the addition of beef broth and beer. When I make our favorite Stove Top Chili Recipe, a lot of the liquid evaporates while the recipe simmers away. In this recipe the liquid doesn’t have a chance to evaporate so the chili will need to be thickened before serving.

There are two ways you can do this.

Thicken with Cornstarch (2 minutes): Make a cornstarch and water slurry by combining equal parts water and cornstarch. When the cook cycle is done and the pressure has released, bring the chili up to a boil using the saute button.Add the slurry a little bit at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
Thicken by Simmering (20 minutes): Simmer your Instant Pot chili with the cover off using the sautee function for 20 minutes, or until the broth has reduced to your desired consistency.

What Goes With Chili

Easy Instant Pot chili is one-pot cooking at its best! The only thing you really need to round out your meal is some kind of starch on the side.

To stretch the meal, serve Instant Pot chili over rice.
Make homemade griddle-fried corn tortillas, or use store bought ones.
Breads, rolls, buns, toast… they all go well.
Set out toppings including cheese, limes, jalapenos, cheese, cilantro, green onions, avocado

To Freeze Instant Pot Chili: You can keep easy Instant Pot chili in the fridge for up to three days, or in the freezer for up to 4 months. Simply freeze in individual portions in freezer bags. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stove top.

More Chili Favorites

The Best Chili Recipe
Texas Chili – No beans
White Chicken Chili – super flavorful
Crock Pot Chili Recipe – SO easy!
15 Bean Slow Cooker Chili – family favorite!
Turkey Chili – super healthy
Quick Hot Dog Chili
Homemade Chili Powder – great in this chili recipe!

Instant Pot Favorites

Instant Pot Chicken and Vegetables
Instant Pot Corned Beef
Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Instant Pot Pot Roast
Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin