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4.8 from 93 votes

Easy Instant Pot Chili (Vegan, Oil-Free)

Instant Pot chili that’s fast, easy to make, and versatile. Hearty, warming, incredibly comforting, and savory-sweet thanks to sweet potatoes and kidney and black beans.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 6 (1-cup servings)
Calories: 259 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican , International

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup water, plus more as needed (or sub half this amount in avocado or coconut oil)
  • 1 medium white or yellow onion, diced (~ 2 cups or 120 g)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced (4 cloves yield ~2 Tbsp or 12 g)
  • 1 small jalapeño or serrano pepper, diced with seeds (remove seeds or omit pepper for less heat)
  • 1 large red bell pepper, diced (~1.5 cups or 164 g)
  • 1/4 tsp each sea salt and black pepper (plus more to taste // omit or reduce salt if your chili powder already contains it)
  • 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cubed (or sub another bell pepper or vegetable of choice, such as zucchini // ~2 ½ cups)
  • 3 Tbsp chili powder blend (NOT chili flakes or cayenne pepper // reduce for less heat)
  • 2 Tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 Tbsp smoked paprika
  • 2 ounce cans diced fire-roasted or plain tomatoes
  • 2 Tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 ounce cans kidney beans (mostly drained)
  • 1 ounce can black beans (mostly drained)
  • 1 ½ - 2 cups vegetable broth (or water)
  • 1 Tbsp coconut sugar (or maple syrup // helps balance flavors)
FOR SERVING optional
  • DIY Chili “Cheese” Fritos or Tortilla Chips
  • rice or Quinoa
  • fresh chopped cilantro
  • avocado
  • Dairy-free sour cream or plain yogurt
  • hot sauce

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Turn on the sauté function on your Instant Pot* (to the default "Normal" — not high or low). Once hot, add water, onion, garlic, jalapeño, and red bell pepper. Season with a healthy pinch each salt and pepper and stir. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, or until onion is translucent and fragrant. Add a little bit more water as needed to prevent sticking.*See notes for stovetop instructions.
  2. Turn off the sauté function by pressing "Cancel." Then add diced sweet potato, chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika, and stir.
  3. Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, kidney beans (slightly drained), black beans (slightly drained), vegetable broth (or water), coconut sugar, and another healthy pinch of sea salt and black pepper.
  4. Put on the Instant Pot lid and turn to seal. Pressure cook on HIGH for 20 minutes. Once the timer goes off, let the steam release naturally, or carefully press the quick release if in a hurry. NOTE: To keep this chili thick, we add less liquid so it is possible you may get a burn message. It is unlikely, but if it happens, leave it be for 1-2 minutes to see if the burn message fixes itself. Otherwise, take note of the remaining time, press cancel, quick release pressure, add 1/2 cup more broth or water, and return to pressure cook for the remaining time. Repeat if needed.
  5. Carefully open the lid and stir. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more chili powder for depth of flavor, cumin for smokiness, smoked paprika for smoky sweetness, salt to taste, or a bit of coconut sugar to balance the heat and draw out the other flavors. Stir and add more to taste as needed
  6. If your chili is too thin, turn on the sauté function and cook with the lid off, stirring occasionally, to allow it to thicken (up to 5-10 minutes).
  7. Serve as is, or garnish with chili “cheese” fritos, fresh jalapeño, cilantro, red onion, and/or avocado (optional). Dairy-free sour cream or yogurt would also be delicious.
  8. Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 4-5 days or in the freezer up to 1 month. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Notes

  • *If not using Instant Pot, simply sauté ingredients in a large pot or dutch oven as the first 2 steps recommend, then add broth, tomatoes, beans, remaining spices, etc. and bring to a low boil. Once bubbling, reduce to low/simmer and cover to cook for ~30-45 minutes so the flavors can meld and the potatoes will soften. Taste and adjust flavors as needed.*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated without optional ingredients.*Recipe adapted from our 1-Pot Red Lentil Chili.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1cup Calories 259 (13%) Carbohydrates 48.2g (16%) Protein 13.3g (27%) Fat 1.8g (3%) Saturated Fat 0.3g (2%) Polyunsaturated Fat 0.51g Monounsaturated Fat 0.38g Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 0mg (0%) Sodium 515mg (21%) Potassium 981mg (28%) Fiber 12.5g (50%) Sugar 12.5g (25%) Vitamin A 5065IU (101%) Vitamin C 42.09mg (47%) Calcium 161.49mg (16%) Iron 5.04mg (28%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6(1-cup servings)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 259

% Daily Value*

Serving 1cup
Calories 259 13%
Carbohydrates 48.2g 16%
Protein 13.3g 27%
Fat 1.8g 3%
Saturated Fat 0.3g 2%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.51g 3%
Monounsaturated Fat 0.38g 2%
Trans Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 515mg 21%
Potassium 981mg 21%
Fiber 12.5g 50%
Sugar 12.5g 25%
Vitamin A 5065IU 101%
Vitamin C 42.09mg 47%
Calcium 161.49mg 16%
Iron 5.04mg 28%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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