Pressure Cooker Classic Beef Chili

Name: Pressure Cooker Classic Beef Chili
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Cuisine: american
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 pound ground beef; 2 teaspoons kosher salt, more as needed; 1 large onion, diced; 1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced; 1 jalapeño, seeded or not, diced; 4 cloves garlic, finely grated or minced; 2 tablespoons chili powder; 1 tablespoon tomato paste; 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 (13.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes; 2 (15-ounce) cans pinto or kidney beans, drained and rinsed; 1/3 cup chopped cilantro leaves and tender stems; Fresh lime juice, to taste; Sour cream, for serving; Cubed avocado, for serving (optional); Pickled jalapeño, for serving (optional)

By Melissa Clark

Updated Feb. 20, 2020

Pressure Cooker Classic Beef Chili — Karsten Moran for The New York Times

Total Time: 1 hour
Rating: 5(2,833)
Comments: Read comments

Chili in the electric pressure cooker is super fast and extremely convenient. This version is on the gently spiced side, so if you're looking for more heat, feel free to increase the chili powder or add a big pinch of cayenne – or throw a couple of extra jalapeños into the pot. Keep in mind that the leaner the beef, the less flavorful the chili. Eighty percent is a good bet here. You can also substitute ground pork or dark meat turkey. Leftover chili freezes like a dream.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 to 6 servings

2tablespoons olive oil
1pound ground beef
2teaspoons kosher salt, more as needed
1large onion, diced
1green bell pepper, seeded and diced
1jalapeño, seeded or not, diced
4cloves garlic, finely grated or minced
2tablespoons chili powder
1tablespoon tomato paste
½teaspoon ground cumin
1teaspoon dried oregano
1(13.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
2(15-ounce) cans pinto or kidney beans, drained and rinsed
⅓cup chopped cilantro leaves and tender stems
Fresh lime juice, to taste
Sour cream, for serving
Cubed avocado, for serving (optional)
Pickled jalapeño, for serving (optional)

Ingredient Substitution Guide

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Preparation

Step 1
Heat the oil in the pressure cooker (see Tip) set to the sauté function on high if possible. Add beef, spread it over the bottom of the pot over the oil, and let it brown without stirring for 7 minutes. Give it a good stir and sauté for 1 more minute, then use a slotted spoon to transfer it to a plate. Season meat with 1 teaspoon salt.
Step 2
Stir in onion, bell pepper, jalapeño, garlic and ½ teaspoon salt; cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Step 3
Stir in chili powder, tomato paste, and cumin, cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in beef and any juices from the plate, oregano, tomatoes, beans and remaining ½ teaspoon salt, then cover and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. Let pressure release naturally.
Step 4
Stir in cilantro and a squeeze or two of lime juice, then taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Serve with sour cream, avocado and pickled jalapeño if you like.

Tip

Some newer electric pressure cooker models have more sensitive burn indicators than the one this recipe was tested in. If you get the burn signal, add ½ cup water, beer, or stock to the pot.

Ratings

5 out of 5

2,833 user ratings

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Comments

Canned beans?6 years ago

I use only dried beans - they taste better, and you don't have a can for the recycle stream. These recipes should always list options for using dried beans. And if you are using a pressure cooker, there is NO REASON to be using canned beans. I used one cup of dried red beans, soaked in salt water for a few hours. It worked really well!

Laura7 years ago

With no liquid added, the instant pot will not come up to pressure and the bottom will scorch. I added about a half a cup of beer before turning the pressure on in order to make it work (and taste yummy).

t6 years ago

Can this be made in a regular slow cooker (after sauteing meat etc. on the stove)?

Francine McGinty1 day ago

Thank goodness I added a can of tomato sauce and some water because it burned before it got up to temperature. Not sure if it is because I used an old fashioned pressure cooker.

S3 weeks ago

I cooked as almost written (doubled quantities due to a crowd) and everyone loved this. I didn’t include a jalapeño and used cans of mixed kidney, pinto and black beans. Delicious.

Kate C3 months ago

I’ve made this so many times just using my Dutch oven as I don’t have a pressure cooker and it still turns out great and is super easy. A go to recipe for us.

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