Easy Instant Pot Chili with Dry Beans: No Soaking Required!

Craving a rich, hearty bowl of homemade chili but short on time? This easy and flavorful Instant Pot chili with dry beans recipe is your answer! Utilizing a versatile 13-bean blend and requiring no soaking, you can now whip up delicious homemade Instant Pot chili in under 45 minutes. It’s a robust, satisfying dinner idea that’s perfect any time of the year, bringing comfort and convenience to your kitchen.

While our easy 5-ingredient Instant Pot chili recipe remains a go-to for its simplicity, there’s something truly special about chili made from scratch with dry beans. That deep, authentic flavor and satisfying texture are unmatched, making this dry bean version a cherished addition to our meal rotation.

Ninja Foodi Chili with Dry Beans: A Versatile Recipe

Good news for owners of other pressure cookers! Whether you have a Crockpot Express or a Ninja Foodi, you can follow these same instructions with excellent results. The key is simply using the pressure cooking function. For the Ninja Foodi, just remember to use the appropriate pressure cooking lid (the one that isn’t attached). The brand of your multi-cooker doesn’t matter as long as it features a reliable pressure cook setting.

The journey to cooking dry beans in a pressure cooker was surprisingly simpler than I initially anticipated. What truly amazed me was the flexibility to use virtually any bean variety. As long as you adhere to the correct timing and liquid ratios outlined in the recipe, your beans will turn out perfectly tender every single time. Don’t hesitate – give it a try yourself!

For this chili, you’ll be using the high-pressure setting. Consult an Instant Pot cooking times for beans chart to confirm precise timings for the initial bean cooking step. Once your dry beans are perfectly tender, a world of culinary possibilities opens up, with chili being a top contender.

Once drained, these perfectly cooked beans can be infused with various flavors to create thick, rich sauces for dishes like classic baked beans or the ever-popular Instant Pot chili mac. This chili mac, a hit with both kids and adults, comes together in just 15 minutes after the initial bean tenderizing step!

The beauty of any easy chili recipe lies in its adaptability and the endless possibilities for customization. When making your homemade chili with dry beans, keep these simple substitutions and additions in mind:

• For a Spicy Kick: If you love your chili with a fiery punch, feel free to increase the chili powder. You can also add a tablespoon or so of your preferred hot sauce, such as Tabasco or Sriracha, to achieve your desired heat level.
• Load Up on Veggies: To make your chili even more wholesome and flavorful, don’t shy away from adding extra vegetables. Diced onions, green onions, and various bell peppers (red, green, yellow, orange) are fantastic additions that contribute both taste and texture. Consider adding corn or zucchini for extra color and nutrition.
• Choose Your Beans: For this particular recipe, we’ve used a 13-bean mix from Bob’s Red Mill, typically found in the dry beans aisle. This blend provides a wonderful variety of textures and flavors. If you prefer a more traditional pinto bean chili, simply use pinto beans. For a comprehensive guide, explore our dedicated post on cooking beans in a pressure cooker.

Should Dry Beans Be Rinsed Before Adding to Chili?

Yes, absolutely! It is crucial to always rinse dry beans thoroughly before cooking. This step helps remove any debris, dust, or even small stones that might have been missed during the processing. For canned beans, rinsing is not strictly necessary for safety, but it’s often recommended to remove excess sodium and prevent the starchy canning liquid from discoloring or altering the consistency of your dish.

How Do You Cook Dried Beans in a Ninja Foodi?

Cooking dried beans in a Ninja Foodi is just as straightforward as in an Instant Pot. You’ll use the pressure cooking function, which typically requires the non-attached lid. No pre-soaking is necessary for dried beans in a pressure cooker, as the high-pressure environment rapidly breaks down the bean’s cell walls. However, if you choose to soak them overnight, it will significantly reduce the required pressure cooking time, often by more than half. Simply combine the rinsed dry beans with approximately three times their volume in water, seal the lid, and follow the recommended cooking times for your specific bean type.

My personal preference for chili leans towards flavorful rather than overly spicy. The recipe instructions provided below are tailored for a milder, more family-friendly Ninja Foodi chili. However, feel free to adjust the heat level to your liking! It’s incredibly easy to craft a deeply flavorful dish using a variety of spices that you likely already have in your pantry.

For an even simpler approach, you can always incorporate a pre-made chili seasoning packet into your homemade chili using dry beans. This can save time while still delivering robust flavor. We also love our other version using canned beans, which comes together in just 30 minutes with a natural pressure release. Both methods are fantastic options for a winning dinner, depending on how much time you have and your preference for starting with dry versus canned beans.

Key Ingredient Notes for Perfect Chili

Understanding each ingredient’s role and potential variations will help you customize your chili to perfection:

• Dry Beans Mix: As shown in this recipe, I used a bagged 13-bean soup mix, which offers a delightful variety of textures and flavors. This blend ensures a robust and interesting chili, but feel free to use your favorite single bean variety like pinto, kidney, or black beans if preferred.
• Ground Beef: An 80/20 fat content ground beef is ideal for flavor and texture, though you can adjust based on preference. For our family, hamburger is a must in chili. For a delicious alternative, consider making an Instant Pot chicken chili version.
• Onions & Green Onions: These add essential aromatic depth and a hint of fresh texture. I prefer to dice them finely (especially for the kids!) and typically use yellow or white onions.
• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing the ground beef and onions, creating the flavor base for the chili.
• Diced Tomatoes: Canned diced tomatoes are a convenient base, requiring no prep work. Petite diced tomatoes are excellent for their smaller, bite-sized pieces that integrate well into the chili.
• Tomato Sauce: This ingredient is crucial for achieving a thicker, richer chili consistency, preventing it from being too watery like a soup.
• Diced Chiles: We use a mild canned version for a subtle background heat without overpowering the dish. If you enjoy more spice, a hot variety is readily available.
• Seasoned Salt: I rely on Lawry’s seasoned salt to deliver a foundational “pop” of flavor. Without it, the chili might taste a bit bland, as it perfectly balances the savory notes. Lawry’s Seasoned Salt is a great choice.
• Chili Powder: This is your primary heat and chili flavor component. Adjust the amount to control the spice level. For serious heat, consider adding red pepper flakes or a dash of Tobasco.
• Garlic Powder & Garlic Salt: These add a pungent, savory depth. If you’re a garlic lover, feel free to add some minced fresh garlic during the sautéing step for an even stronger aroma.

And finally, shredded cheese for topping is an absolute must for us! We often serve this hearty chili over fluffy Instant Pot white rice for a complete meal.

What Dried Beans Are Best for Chili?

When it comes to crafting a traditional chili recipe, kidney beans are often considered a top choice. Their robust nature allows them to retain their shape and firm texture even under prolonged heat, making them incredibly hearty and satisfying. Moreover, kidney beans excel at absorbing the rich spices and deep flavors of chili, contributing to an overall well-rounded dish.

• While kidney beans are a classic, the “best” bean truly depends on your personal preference. For my Instant Pot and 5-ingredient Crockpot chili recipes, I often use canned light red kidney beans due to their convenience.
• However, I love experimenting with new ingredients, which is why I opted for a 13-bean blend in this recipe. I was curious to see how the diverse mix would perform in a pressure cooker chili.
• The results were fantastic! The combination of beans provided a more complex and interesting flavor profile, along with a varied texture that received enthusiastic approval from everyone at the table. This is definitely a preparation I’ll be repeating.
  • That said, feel free to use your favorite bean variety. This 13-bean blend is merely a suggestion. If you follow the liquid and timing measurements in the recipe card, you can easily substitute them with a “regular” type of bean, like pinto or black beans.
  • I find immense joy in thinking outside the culinary box, especially when it comes to cooking, so don’t be afraid to innovate!

A significant advantage of cooking dry beans is their incredible shelf life. In situations like being homebound or during emergencies, dry beans are a pantry staple that virtually never expires, offering a reliable source of nutrition. I always keep a diverse assortment of dry beans on hand in my plastic containers, ready for any occasion. You just never know when they might come in handy! 😉

Other Instant Pot Dry Bean Recipes You’ll Love

Once you’ve mastered dry beans in your Instant Pot, a world of possibilities opens up! No longer do you need to pre-soak pressure cooker black beans. Simply submerge them in water or beef broth, cook on high pressure, and transform them from dry to perfectly tender in no time. Our Instant Pot 15-bean soup also requires no soaking, making it another fantastic and effortless meal.

Beyond chili, explore other hearty dishes. Instant Pot Hoppin’ John is a flavorful, year-round favorite, especially when topped with a small dollop of sour cream. For another easy pantry meal, our Instant Pot red beans and rice, utilizing canned kidney beans, is a great option. Embrace the versatility of your pressure cooker and dry beans for wholesome, delicious meals!

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