Name: Fast and Easy Beef Chili
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 lb beef, turkey or chicken (ground); 1 small bell pepper (green, finely chopped); 1/2 medium onion (finely chopped); 2 cloves garlic (minced); 1 14.5 tomatoes, diced (canned); 1 14.5 kidney beans, black or white beans (rinsed and drained); 1 8oz tomato sauce (canned); 1 tbsp chili powder; 1/2 tsp basil (dried); 1/2 tsp salt (kosher); 1/4 tsp pepper; 6 oz cheddar cheese (or Monterey jack cheese ); 1/2 cup onion, red or white (finely chopped); 1/2 cup cilantro leaves (chopped); 1/4 cup jalapeño peppers, chopped (fresh or pickled ); 1/2 cup sour cream (optional )

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Sometimes comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated. This Fast and Easy Beef Chili is one of those hearty soups that you can fancy up or down. In this case it’s simple and made fast using the Instant Pot. It’s equally delicious made in a slow cooker and you substitute beef for turkey or chicken. You will notice a brighter hue in my Chili. For this recipe I used New Mexican Chili powder to give it this color as a Halloween dinner idea, but use any chili powder that you have or prefer.

Let’s jump in. For cooking times, Instant Pot is 25 minutes. For Slow Cooker 6-8 hours on low. This is perfect weeknight recipe. Choose your appliance and let it do all the work for you.

how to make FAST AND EASY BEEF CHILI in a pressure cooker/Instant Pot

Chop your Green Bell Pepper, Onion and mince your garlic. Open your canned goods and gather your spices. This will be quick after your ground beef is browned.

Start by browning your ground beef on the Saute mode of your pot. This should take about 5 minutes. Once your ground beef is browned, add your fresh ingredients, your canned tomatoes and drained beans and your spices. Stir everything well. Close the instant pot and seal the pressure valve. Cook on Meat/Stew for 10 minutes on high. Once it’s done, allow 10 minutes for Natural Release. Release any excess pressure and check for salt. Grate some cheddar or pepper jack, dice up some onion, cilantro, jalapeños and bring out the sour cream. Serve it your way and it’s sure to please even the pickiest eaters.

how to make FAST AND EASY BEEF CHILI in a Slow Cooker

Chop your Green Bell Pepper, Onion and mince your garlic. Open your canned goods and gather your spices. This will be quick after your ground beef is browned.

In a non stick pan, brown your ground beef. This should take about 5-10 minutes. Once your ground beef is browned, place the beef with their juices in the slow cooker. Add the green bell peppers, onions, garlic, canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, drained beans and spices. Set on low and it will be done in 6 – 8 hours. Add all your favorite toppings and settle in for a bowl of Fast and Easy Beef Chili.

Comforting Fast and Easy Beef Chili ready to eat

Looking for more hearty soups? Try our Italian Lentil Sausage Soup, delicious and also Instant Pot friendly.