This Instant Pot Chili (No Beans) is super hearty and perfect for the colder months ahead. It cooks for less than 30 minutes, yet tastes like it has been simmering for hours. This recipe has chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, and bacon for a rich and smokey flavor. Corn is totally optional, but adds some nice sweetness and texture.
One of the first meals I cooked for my husband was chili without beans. It soon became one of his favorites, along with this Queso Chicken & Rice Skillet.
If you like your chili with beans, try my classic Dutch Oven Chili recipe.
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Highlights
- Easy & healthy instant pot chili recipe without beans
- Not too spicy
- Simple ingredients
- Bold flavor
- Smokiness from the chipotles and bacon
- Cozy fall or winter dinner
- Low carb & keto friendly chili (without corn)
Ingredient Notes
- Ground Beef: Swap for ground turkey or a leaner ground beef if desired.
- Smoked Paprika: Be sure to use smoked and not regular. It has a completely different flavor.
- Corn: Omit the corn if desired, but it adds a nice sweetness.
- Honey: Swap for 1 Tablespoon of white or brown sugar.
- Chipotle Peppers & Adobo Sauce: These normally come in a 7 ounce can. Remove 2-4 the peppers from the sauce and roughly chop. Discard or store the remaining peppers in the refrigerator. Set the sauce aside and add all of it when the recipe states.
Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below.
Helpful Equipment & Tools
Equipment Needed
- Fullstar Vegetable Chopper: Perfect for chopping veggies. It includes a large a
- Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker: This is the Instant Pot I use for all of my recipes. I have the 8 quart model which is great for larger recipes.
- Silicone Nonstick Mixing Spoons: These heat resistant spoons are great for everyday cooking.
Instructions
Overview
- Sauté the meat, spices, and veggies.
- Stir in all of the liquids and canned tomatoes.
- Pressure cook & enjoy with sour cream, cheese, and corn chips on top!
Step by Step
Step 1: Select “Sauté” mode on the Instant Pot. Add the beef and bacon. Sauté until mostly browned.
Step 2: Add the chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic, salt, pepper, and oregano. Sauté for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant.
TIP - Browning the meat and bacon before pressure cooking deepens the flavor of the chili.
Step 3: Add in the onion and bell pepper. Sauté for 1-2 minutes.
Step 4: Stir in the stock, crushed & diced tomatoes, corn, tomato sauce, honey, worcestershire, chipotles, and adobo sauce.
Step 5: Select “Pressure Cook” & “High”. Set the time to 25 minutes. Quick release (switch the valve to venting) the pressure as soon as the timer goes off.
Recipe Serving Suggestions
Expert Tips
- Use lots of spices. This spice blend this recipe calls for is full flavor. I do not recommend replacing it with a store-bought kit or mix.
- Don’t skip the bacon or chipotles. These add so much smokiness to the chili.
- Pressure cook. Pressure cooking the chili is the best way to impart lots of flavor quickly.
- Freeze leftovers. Chili is a great freezer meal! Allow the leftovers to cool overnight in the fridge. Portion the chili in airtight containers or bags. Store in the freezer for 2-3 months. Reheat on the stove.
Variations
- Spicy: Add ½ - 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper for a spicy chili. Start with less and add to taste.
- Stovetop: Follow the recipe as stated through step 4 in a large pot on the stove. Instead of pressure cooking, simmer covered for 3 hours on low.
- Slow cooker/crock-pot: Follow the recipe as stated through step 3 in a large pot on the stove. Add the meat mixture and the rest of the ingredients into the slow cooker. Cook on low for 5-6 hours.
- Vegetables: Wilt in some spinach or chopped kale at the end for extra fiber and nutrients. This will slightly dilute the flavor.
FAQs
This instant pot chili without beans is keto and low carb friendly. Traditional chili is not low carb. Be sure to omit the corn.
Use the “Saute” function on the Instant Pot after the chili has pressure cooked to bring the chili to a light boil. Let it simmer until more of the water has evaporated.
It is sometimes called Texas Chili or chile con carne, which is Spanish for chilies with meat. No bean chili still has all of the flavor, just not beans.
Chili can burn in the Instant Pot if there is not enough liquid in the pot or if a thickening agent like cornstarch is added before pressure cooking. Thickening agents should always be added after pressure cooking.
Yes. The longer the chili simmers uncovered, the thicker it becomes. The water will continue to evaporate.
More Mexican Recipes
Instant Pot Chili (No Beans)
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ pounds 80/20 ground beef*
- 4 slices thick cut bacon, diced
Chili Seasoning
- 3 Tablespoons chili powder
- 1 Tablespoon smoked paprika*
- 1 Tablespoon cumin
- 1 Tablespoon granulated garlic
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon oregano
Vegetables & Liquid
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup beef stock
- 1 (15 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can fire roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can yellow corn, optional*
- 1 (8 ounce) can can plain tomato sauce
- 1 Tablespoon honey*
- 1 Tablespoon worcestershire
- 2-4 chipotle peppers, chopped, plus remaining adobo sauce*
Instructions:
- Review all recipe notes and instructions before beginning.
- Select “Sauté” mode on the Instant Pot. Add the beef and bacon. Sauté until mostly browned.
- Add the chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic, salt, pepper, and oregano. Sauté for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant.
- Add in the onion and bell pepper. Sauté for 1-2 minutes.
- Stir in the stock, crushed & diced tomatoes, corn, tomato sauce, honey, worcestershire, chipotles, and adobo sauce.
- Select “Pressure Cook” & “High”. Set the time to 25 minutes. Quick release (switch the valve to venting) the pressure as soon as the timer goes off.
- Serve with sour cream, cheese, and corn chips.
I secretly hate beans in my chili so when I was thrilled when I came across this recipe. The fact that it's prepared in an Instant Pot was another major selling point. This recipe turned out perfect - so easy and delicious! Thanks!
The perfect chili recipe. So easy and so much comfort in a bowl! Yum!!
Thanks so much for the slow cooker variation, I've pinned this recipe to make for tomorrow. Planning on setting it away before work! It looks so delicious.
Katie xoxo
All the substitution notes are so helpful! I used ground turkey and it was delicious!
Thank you so much for including all the tips at the end of the recipe! In particular, it's so great to have storage and freezing instructions because it just makes my life easier! Thanks again for a great recipe!
love that this has no beans. This is a nice lighter chili version!