Slow Cooker Chili is a thick, hearty, warming dish to come home to at the end of the day. You can make it in any slow cooker, but using the Instant Pot saves on dishwashing. This recipe is not too spicy, but you can add to that if you wish. It makes a nice, big batch, filling my 6-quart Instant Pot.
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Are you using your Instant Pot? Have you made roast beef in it yet? Have you tried the Slow Cook setting?
I've used a slow cooker for years and especially like the way stews and chilies blend their flavours with time. Although it's not instant, the Instant Pot has a slow cooker function. I appreciate the ability to brown my meat and any vegetables I want to in the same pot that they will cook in. There's less mess and cleanup later.
How Do I Use the Slow Cooker Setting on My Instant Pot?
Chili's taste benefits from time spent simmering. This recipe isn't runny enough to work well with the PRESSURE COOK setting on your Instant Pot. For the pressure setting to function, there needs to be a certain amount of liquid. If you try to use it with thick chili like this one, you're liable to activate the BURN warning.
As with many slow cooker recipes, this one starts out with onions and garlic sauteed in oil. Then, you'll add your meat and brown it before setting it to SLOW COOK.
I love the fact that the whole process is all done in the same pot! The Instant Pot is nice and deep, so you're not splattering all over your stove. And, you don't have the skillet to clean up later. Any browned bits stuck to the bottom will come off easily after hours spent stewing in tomato sauce.
Do I Need to Use the Pressure Valve for Slow Cooking?
No. For SLOW COOKing in your Instant Pot, you don't need to worry about messing with the pressure valve. Just leave it open the whole time.
How Long Does It Take to Cook Slow Cooker Chili?
You can be very flexible with the cooking time when you make slow cooker chili in the Instant Pot. This is a patient dish that waits until you're ready for it. I have served mine after as little as three hours on the SLOW COOK setting, but you could leave it as long as eight. The longer you let it sit, the more the flavours will blend.
Slow Cooker Chili also reheats very well on the stovetop the next day.
You might also like Slow Cooker Apple Cider Beef Stew.
What to Serve with Chili
- Gluten Free Dinner Rolls
- Gluten Free Garlic Bread Sticks
- Veggies with Dip
- Gluten Free Chocolate Cake
- Dairy Free Vanilla Ice Cream
Recipe
Chili
Equipment
- 6-quart Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil or coconut oil
- 3 large yellow cooking onions diced
- 8 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon dried cumin
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 pound 454 g ground beef
- 1 pound 454 g ground pork, or more ground beef
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 1 19 oz 540 mL can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 19 oz 540 mL can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 23 oz 680 mL can tomato sauce
- 1 28 oz 798 mL can diced tomatoes
Instructions
- Set the Instant Pot to SAUTE. When HOT appears, add the oil. Saute onions and garlic in the hot oil until translucent. Add chili powder, cumin, and salt. Stir.
- Add meat, stirring occasionally to brown it.
- Add remaining ingredients. Stir occasionally until heated through.
- Put lid on Instant Pot, leaving vent open. Set to the SLOW COOK function. Cook for 3 to 8 hours.
Notes
- If you don't have an Instant Pot, simply use a skillet on the stovetop for steps 1 through 3. Then add everything to a slow cooker and cook on low setting for 3 to 8 hours.
- This recipe is not too spicy, but you can add to that if you wish.
Nutrition
Katie says
This recipe is a very good "base" recipe. I add a jalapeno, liquid smoke, 1/4 cup red wine, cinnamon, cayanne, a bay leaf or 2... Delicious!
Cathy Brak says
Thank you, Katie. I’m happy that you were able to build on my basic recipe and personal it!
Ethan Milich says
Hi Cathy is this recipe for a six quart one
Cathy says
Thank you for your question, Ethan. Yes, I make this chili in a 6-quart Instant Pot.
Loni says
Do you need liquid in the instant pot like you’d do for the pressure cooking settings? I had Read that was necessary in another recipe..
Cathy says
Thank you for your question, Loni. By the time you add the canned tomatoes and tomato sauce, there will be enough liquid in the Instant Pot for the pressure cooking settings to work.
ChihYu Smith says
They look so healthy and delicious. Love pressure cooker recipes!
Lindsey Dietz says
I have NOT yet used the slow cooker function on my Instant Pot. I've been afraid to! LOL! But your recipe looks like just the one to break it in!
Cathy says
I'm sure you're not the only one, Lindsey! It's really just like any other slow cooker except that you can saute in the same pot first. I love that feature!
Emliy says
We're big chili fans in my home, especially when it's served with cornbread. I love that your version is made in the Instant Pot, my favorite kitchen tool. ?
Cathy says
I'm glad that you enjoy chili, and I can see why the Instant Pot would be your favourite tool. It's so versatile! Thanks for stopping by, Emily.
Tessa Simpson says
Love having as many Instant Pot variation I can get my hands on! Your chili looks super comforting and warming!
Cathy says
Thank you, Tessa!
Kristen says
It's the perfect time of year for chili, and I'm a sucker for a good recipe - I always make a huge batch and freeze it for those lazy days.
Cathy says
Isn't it great to have that tucked away in the freezer!
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking says
I love making chili in my Instant Pot! This is a great, hearty recipe, Cathy! Perfect for those cold evenings that are fast approaching!
Cathy says
Thank you, Leanne. Yes, soups and chilis do help to keep us cozy!
Chef Markus Mueller says
I haven't made chili in my Instant Pot yet, I haven't even used the slow cooker setting, though I always assumed it would be the same as a crockpot. Thanks for clearing up how to use the function in the IP! Your chili looks delicious though, and it's a favorite week night meal especially now during the cooler fall weather.
Cathy says
Thank you, Markus. There's so much we can do with our Instant Pots!
Colleen says
I love chili, and it's such an adaptable dish. I've never made it in a slow cooker. Thanks for the inspiration, Cathy!
Cathy says
Slow cooking chili gives you the freedom to ignore it for hours!
Lisa says
This looks amazingly good and hearty...so perfect for fall! Pinning so I don't forget it!
Cathy says
Thank you, Lisa! Enjoy!
Elaine says
I'm a creature of habit and always make chili on the stove top but now I have your recipe and instructions to try it in the Instant Pot! Thanks Cathy!
Cathy says
It's nice to be able to set it and forget it.