30-Minute Instant Pot Ground Beef Chili
Thick, hearty weeknight ground beef chili with beans and rich chili aromatics in half the time.
instant-pot Timer
Set for 15 mins @ High Pressure (10-12 psi)
Ingredients
Base recipe calibrated for 6 adults.
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Get to the Point Execution
Select Sauté mode and brown 1.5 lbs ground beef with diced onion and garlic for 5 minutes.
Deglaze pot with 1 cup beef broth, scraping all browned bits off the bottom.
Add crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, chili powder, cumin, and cocoa powder on top without stirring to bottom.
Pressure cook on High for 15 minutes; quick release after 5 minutes and stir.
Step-by-Step Guided Instructions
Set Instant Pot to Sauté (High). Add 1.5 lbs ground beef, 1 diced yellow onion, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Cook for 5 minutes, breaking meat into crumbles until browned. Drain excess grease if desired.
Browning the beef first triggers the Maillard reaction, giving pressure-cooked chili that deep slow-simmered taste.
Pour in 1 cup low-sodium beef broth. Use a sturdy wooden spoon to scrape every single browned bit from the bottom of the stainless steel pot.
Any stuck-on residue left on the base will trigger the Instant Pot 'Food Burn' alert.
Pour in one 28-oz can crushed tomatoes, one 15-oz can rinsed kidney beans, 2.5 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder, and 1 tsp kosher salt. Gently push ingredients down into liquid without scraping the bottom.
The unsweetened cocoa powder adds an earthy richness and balances the tomato acidity without sweetness.
Lock lid in place, set valve to Sealing, and pressure cook on High for 15 minutes. Once finished, let the pot sit for a 5-minute natural release, then carefully vent the remaining pressure.
Stir thoroughly after venting; the starch from the beans will thicken the chili as it cools for 3 minutes.
Serve this over baked russet potatoes or hot tortilla chips to feed hungry kids in minutes.
Top kid bowls with a generous handful of mild shredded cheddar and a dollop of sour cream to cool down any chili spice.
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Warm dinner rolls
- Garden side salad
Reheat in a microwave-safe bowl covered with a paper towel for 2 minutes, stirring halfway, or warm in a saucepan over medium heat for 6 minutes.