The Best Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili EVER!
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This is the BEST Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili ever! It’s smoky and hearty, rich and spicy. It is family-friendly, ready in 30 minutes, and will satisfy both meat-eaters and vegetarians alike. Made with 3 types of beans, packed with veggies, and under 300 calories per serving!
This Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili is a family favorite in our house. It’s super easy to make and thanks to the Instant Pot, you end up with that cooked-all-day flavor in just about 30 minutes!
I’ve made this recipe for a crowd, or just for our family (and saved the leftovers for another day) and it turns out great every time!
The smokiness in this dish comes from two secret ingredients: unsweetened cocoa powder and smoked paprika. It’s got the deep flavor of traditional meat chilis, but is much healthier, gluten-free, and vegetarian friendly (and can easily be made vegan too).
Tools and Equipment You’ll Need
- A good cutting board
- An Instant Pot or a large, durable stock pot
- A high quality chef’s knife
- A ladle!
How To Make Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili – Step by Step
Step 1: Turn your instant pot to the Saute function, and add your olive oil, bell peppers, onion, and garlic. Saute lightly for 2-3 minutes.
Step 2: Add everything else into the pot (beans through paprika in the list above) and stir to combine. Close your instant pot and pressure cook on high for 4 minutes.
Step 3: Once the pressure cooking is done, let it natural release for 5 minutes, then quick release the rest of the pressure.
Step 4: Serve warm with any toppings you like! 1 Tbsp cheese, low fat sour cream or plain greek yogurt, diced tomatoes, green onions, or tortilla chips.
What Makes This Vegetarian Chili Healthy?
- Fiber and Plant Protein: Thanks to the beans, this chili packs a ton of protein and fiber into each serving. Each serving has 9g protein and 10g fiber.
- Vitamins and Nutrients: Beans are a heart healthy food that are a great source of iron, B vitamins, protein and fiber. Bell peppers are rich in vitamin C, A, Potassium, Folate and Iron.
- Low Calorie: This Instant Pot Chili is super filling and satisfying, but each serving has only 300 calories! That means you can go back for seconds completely guilt-free!
Will Kids Enjoy This Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili?
This recipe is SUPER kid friendly! Both of my kids gobble up this dish every time I make it. I create a toppings bar for this chili and let my kids pick out their own toppings – which they love to do.
I also tend to cut the veggies smaller when serving this to little kids so that it’s easier for them to chew. For super picky eaters, you can even puree the bell peppers/veggies with the tomatoes so they don’t see it, and reduce the spices as needed!
Toppings for This Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili
There are so many options for toppings – the possibilities are almost endless! Here are some of our favorites:
- Fresh squeezed lime juice
- Sour cream or Plain Greek Yogurt (use cashew cream for a vegan substitute!)
- Sliced green onions or fresh cilantro
- Shredded cheese or cojita cheese (omit if you want to make this vegan!)
- Diced tomatoes or Salsa
- Crushed tortilla chips or crackers
- Pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
- Brown rice or quinoa (more as a mix-in than a topping, but still tastes great and this is one of my kids’ favorite chili add-ins!)
What to Serve with Vegetarian Chili?
This chili is so hearty it stands on its own, but if you’re looking to round out the meal even further, here are some side dishes to pair it with:
- A fresh garden salad
- Cornbread
- Brown Rice or Quinoa
- Quesadillas (when cut into strips, can be great for dipping too!)
Storage and Freezing Tips
- To store in the fridge: This recipe will keep an an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Make sure to store any toppings separately.
- To freeze: Let the chili cool completely, then transfer into an airtight freezer safe container. You can freeze this recipe for up to 3 months.
- To reheat after freezing: Let the chili thaw in the fridge and then defrost in the microwave using the defrost setting, or heat gently on the stovetop.
Can You Make This Vegetarian Chili On The Stovetop?
Absolutely! Here are the directions for making this on the stovetop:
- Heat the olive oil in a large stock pot over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, bell peppers and saute until tender, about 5 minutes.
- Add all of the rest of the ingredients and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer on low for 30 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally. The longer you cook it, the thicker your chili will be.
- Serve hot!
Top Tips for Making Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili
- You can add any veggies you like into this chili. Think of it as a “clean out your fridge” recipe. If you increase the quantity of veggies, just make sure to increase the quantity of spices accordingly so that it’s not bland.
- For additional greens, add one 5oz box of chopped baby spinach into this recipe at the same time you add all of the ingredients into the instant pot!
- When you’re making this for kids, adjust the spices accordingly.
- If you don’t have an instant pot, you can make this chili on the stovetop.
- If you have a newer Instant Pot, keep in mind that they tend to display the “Burn” warning much more quickly than the older versions. If you have this model, You’d add the vegetable broth and all the spices immediately after step 1 and stir to combine. Then you’d add the rest of the ingredients (beans, tomatoes, etc) and do not stir until after cooking.
Check Out These Other Instant Pot Recipes!
- Instant Pot Tomato Soup with Cumin
- Instant Pot Risotto
- Instant Pot Vegan Posole
- Instant Pot Chili Mac
- Instant Pot Applesauce
- Instant Pot Creamy Pumpkin Soup from Real Food Whole Life
If you have tried this instant pot vegetarian chili recipe, or any other recipe on my blog, then please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more delicious, healthy, family friendly food!
The Best Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- 1 yellow bell pepper diced
- 1 red onion diced
- 5 garlic cloves minced
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 15 oz Kidney beans, drained and rinsed 1 can
- 15 oz Black beans, drained and rinsed 1 can
- 15 oz Pinto beans, drained and rinsed 1 can
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes 1 large can
- 1 heaping tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp crushed red pepper more or less to taste
- A couple splashes of soy sauce
- 1 tsp salt more or less to taste
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp regular paprika
- Optional toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, green onions, diced tomatoes, Plain Greek Yogurt (or Low Fat Sour Cream), tortilla chips
Instructions
- Turn your instant pot to the Saute function, and add your olive oil, bell peppers, onion, and garlic. Saute lightly for 2-3 minutes.
- Add everything else into the pot (beans through paprika in the list above) and stir to combine. Close your instant pot and pressure cook on high for 4 minutes
- Once the pressure cooking is done, let it natural release for 5 minutes, then quick release the rest of the pressure.
- Serve warm with any toppings you like! 1 Tbsp cheese, low fat sour cream or plain greek yogurt, diced tomatoes, green onions, or tortilla chips.
Notes
- You can add any veggies you like into this chili. Think of it as a “clean out your fridge” recipe. If you increase the quantity of veggies, just make sure to increase the quantity of spices accordingly so that it’s not bland.
- For additional greens, add one 5oz box of chopped baby spinach into this recipe at the same time you add all of the ingredients into the instant pot!
- When you’re making this for kids, adjust the spices accordingly.
- If you don’t have an instant pot, you can make this chili on the stovetop.
- If you have a newer Instant Pot, keep in mind that they tend to display the “Burn” warning much more quickly than the older versions. If you have this model, You’d add the vegetable broth and all the spices immediately after step 1 and stir to combine. Then you’d add the rest of the ingredients (beans, tomatoes, etc) and do not stir until after cooking.
To Make on the Stovetop:
- Heat the olive oil in a large stock pot over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, bell peppers and saute until tender, about 5 minutes.
- Add all of the rest of the ingredients and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer on low for 30 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally. The longer you cook it, the thicker your chili will be.
- Serve hot!
This is my fave veg chilli recipe- everyone loves it and so easy to double up if you want to make a big batch and freeze some for later. Perfect for taking camping when it’s cooler weather.
Woohoo!! So happy to hear that Sarah! Thanks for letting me know! 🙂
I’ve made this chili at least 3-4 since coming across it in the fall. It’s been a home run every time and my go to recipe now. Thank you!
Awww yay!! That’s so wonderful to hear Kara – thanks for letting me know! 🙂
This has been my go to chili recipe since even before I became a vegetarian 4 years ago! I’ve tried other chili recipes since discovering this one but they’re never as good as this one, and they always make me think, “I should have just stayed with the Pickyeaterblog’s chili recipe!” It’s safe to stay I’ll be sticking with this one, and I’m excited to get to share it with my son who just turned one year old last month!
Awwww yay! I’m so glad to hear that Haley!! I can’t wait to hear how your son likes this recipe too – it’s one of my kids’ favorites! 🙂
I am looking for the ORIGNIAL recipe which I lost. it did not have a yellow bell pepper in it, or red pepper flakes. It had a little cayenne pepper. This was my favorite recipe which everyone loved. Can you e-mail me that recipe?
Hi Jill! The original recipe is almost identical to this one. The main changes are: no yellow bell pepper, equal amount of cayenne pepper as the crushed red pepper flakes (1/8 tsp), and no smoked paprika or regular paprika. Although, I think the smoked paprika/regular paprika actually makes the original version taste even better so you could keep those in! The only other difference is that the original version was made on the stovetop vs. the instant pot. But the steps are similar for the stovetop. You start by sauteeing the onions, garlic and bell peppers in olive oil over medium heat until the onions are translucent. Then you add in all of the rest of the ingredients, bring to a boil, and reduce to a simmer. Simmer on medium-low heat for 30-45 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes or so, until all of the ingredients are warmed through. Serve with your favorite toppings. Hope that helps!
I discovered this gem a few years back. At the time of my four adult kids, 1 was vegetarian and one vegetarian/gf. It was a hit with everyone! One thing I added was I throw in about 2/3 of a cup of quinoa.
Yay! I’m so happy to hear that Danielle! 🙂
Excellent!! I have been vegetarian for over 40 years but for the last 10 have lived in a small apartment with a challenging cooking situation. Son bought me an Instant Pot in April and it revolutionized my life. The past 6 months have been an exploration of EASY IP vegan recipes.
This recipe qualifies on many levels. I can sit to chop veggies and then sauté easily as the IP lives on kitchen table. The blend of spices is everything already in my cupboard. Have no idea why soy sauce (I used liquid aminos) and cocoa are used but the taste is tangy and spicy. I added some elbows because I like carbs. And forgot the corn. But this seems a flexible recipe that will easily tolerate substitutions. Many thanks😋
Hi Susan! I’m so happy to hear that you loved this recipe – thanks for letting me know! And yes, this recipe will tolerate many substitutions – you can change it up any way you like!! 🙂
Hi! I have been using this recipe for a couple years now and it is hands down the BEST vegetarian chili EVER!! I do have one question you may or may not know…. I just got an instant pot and I’m wondering if this recipe will convert well? Any suggestions?
Hooray!! I’m so happy to hear that! For the instant pot, I’d saute the veggies and spices together first on low for about 5 minutes, then add in the beans/broth/etc. And then I’d probably pressure cook it for only 3-5 minutes if you’re using canned beans, natural release for 5 minutes and then manual release, so they don’t get too soft! Hope that helps!
We love this chili. I was at a Wholefoods cooking class in Fremont when you presented this recipe and we are still cooking it up in 2018!
Hi Colleen!! Omg that is so amazing to hear! We are still cooking it up in 2018 too ☺️👍🙌
Awesome!!!!
So glad you liked this recipe Susan!
Delicious recipe. Thank you !! Do you think this recipe would also work well in a crock pot?
Hi Simone! Yes absolutely this would be a great crock pot recipe! 🙂
Anjali,
Our family (both vegetarians and non) all loved this Chili – so much so that there were no leftovers! We will definitely make this again.
Woohoo!! That’s so wonderful to hear Brenda!! 🙂 This chili freezes really well so if you want you can always make a double batch next time and freeze half for a rainy day! 🙂
A-mazing!! Those are so many ingredients, but it’s chilli!! And only veggies!! Can’t wait to try it!
Thanks Sean! I’m sure you will love this recipe!! Keep me posted on how it turns out!
Sounds great and delicious. I love eating spicy food. I will prepare this vegetarian chili tomorrow morning.
Great! I’m sure you will love it!
That is a superb formula! The chocolate makes it practically like a mole!
Thanks Dev!! I agree the chocolate gives it that extra deep, smoky quality – similar to a mole sauce! So glad you liked it!!
Hi,
I myself am a vegan and this recipe is absolutely awesome. It’s spicy and delicious. Not a fan of corn though!
That’s great! For the corn – you can always substitute it for something else (another veggie that you do like!)
This recipe looks so delicious! Definitely have to try this recipe out as soon as possible. Thanks for the share, love checking out your blog.
Yay!! I can’t wait for you to try this recipe Jessica – it’s one of our favorites 🙂 I’m sure you will love it!