This hearty, healthy Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili is a great weeknight dinner, with tons of fiber and protein. Also included are directions for slow cooker and stovetop. 254 calories and 1 Weight Watchers SP
This Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili is one of the first recipes when I first received my Instant Pot a couple of years ago. The pressure cooker sat in the box for close to a year before I pulled it out. Once I made this easy vegan chili, I wondered what had taken me so long.
If you have an electric pressure cooker, you know that soups cook in a matter of minutes. Pork tenderloin is so tender it practically falls apart as though it’s been cooking in a slow cooker all day long. Add this vegetarian chili to the list because it tastes as though it’s been simmering on the stovetop for a couple of hours.
No need to worry if you don’t have an Instant Pot. I also included directions for cooking this chili in the slow cooker and on the stovetop.
Tips for making Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili:
Remember that the Instant Pot takes some time to reach the specified pressure. The more ingredients that are in the pot and the colder they are, the longer it will take to pressurize. I included the approximate pressurization time in the total cooking time in the recipe below so that you can plan your dinner prep properly.
***If you have a newer Instant Pot, please see the “Important Note” below about layering the ingredients.***
Chipotle peppers, which are smoked, dried jalapeno peppers, are sold in cans, along with some wonderfully smoky adobo sauce. I typically remove the seeds and membranes from the chipotles. But if you like a 5-alarm chili, feel free to leave them in.
Because I know someone is going to ask…yes, the recipe is supposed to read 1/4 cup chili powder. I promise that it’s just the right amount!
Can vegetarian chili be frozen?
Chlii freezes really well, which is why I always make a double batch when making my favorite stovetop turkey chili. It’s great to have on hand for last-minute dinners.
Allow the chili to cool, then transfer to freezer proof containers. Cover and freeze for 4 to 6 months.
What to serve with vegetarian bean chili:
If you want to keep this meal vegan, find dairy free versions of yogurt or cheese to dollop and sprinkle on top. We also like to garnish with some minced cilantro.
We typically serve chili with a green salad or healthy slaw to work in some extra veggies. Cornbread fans in the house? Make a double batch of cornbread muffins and freeze the extras to serve with another chili meal.
Important note:
If you have one of the newer Instant Pot models, they tend to display the “Burn” warning much more readily than the older versions. If you have this model, modify Step 2 of the recipe directions slightly. Add the vegetable broth and stir with the previous ingredients. Then add the crushed tomatoes, chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, all of the beans and salt. DO NOT STIR until after cooking.
Other vegetarian Instant Pot recipes:
Vegan Instant Pot Mushroom Soup {Cookin’ Canuck}
Instant Pot Vegetable Soup {Cookin’ Canuck}
Vegetarian Pad Thai (Instant Pot) {Kitchen Confidante)
Instant Pot Veggie Tortilla Pie {Simply Happy Foodie}
Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion chopped
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1/4 cup chili powder
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 3/4 cups low sodium vegetable broth
- 1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 chipotle pepper seeded & minced (sold in can)
- 1 teaspoon adobo sauce from chipotle pepper can
- 2 14 ounce each cans of black beans (reduced sodium), drained & rinsed
- 2 14 ounce each cans red kidney beans, drained & rinsed
- 1 14 ounce can of cannellini or Great Northern beans (reduced sodium), drained & rinsed
- 1/4 teaspoon salt or to taste
- chopped cilantro or flat-leaf parsley if desired
Instructions
For Instant Pot:
- Set Instant Pot to saute setting. Add the olive oil and allow to heat for 1 minute. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, chili powder, oregano and cumin, and cook for 1 minute. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.
- Add the vegetable broth, crushed tomatoes, chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, black beans, red kidney beans, cannellini beans and salt, and stir to combine. (See important Note below!)
- Put the lid on the Instant Pot, close the steam vent and set to HIGH pressure using the manual setting. Decrease the time to 10 minutes.
- Once the time is expired, wait for 5 minutes, then carefully use the quick release valve to release the steam. Stir in the cilantro or parsley. Serve.
For The Slow Cooker:
- Heat the olive oil in a medium nonstick skillet set over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, chili powder, oregano and cumin, and cook for 1 minute. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.
- Transfer the onion mixture to the slow cooker, and stir in the vegetable broth, crushed tomatoes, chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, all of the beans and the salt.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours. Stir in cilantro or parsley, if desired. Serve.
For The Stovetop:
- Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan set over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, chili powder, oregano and cumin, and cook for 1 minute. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.
- Add the vegetable broth, crushed tomatoes, chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, all of the beans and salt, and stir to combine.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Simmer longer if you would prefer the chili to be thicker.
- Stir in cilantro or parsley, if desired. Serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published on January 10, 2017 and updated on February 11, 2020.
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Jamie Lee Johnson
This was the best vegetarian chili recipe I’ve tried and I’ve tried a lot! I followed the recipe completely and added chopped cilantro at the end. It was perfect and so much flavor!! Thanks for this recipe!