Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili is a meatless chili that is loaded with beans, bell peppers, tomatoes, and tons of flavor! This is the perfect vegetarian chili to eat with tortilla chips or a batch of cornbread, and it’s so easy to make in the Instant Pot.
I’ve been on a chili kick lately! I love how hearty chili is, which is exactly what I crave this time of year. I really don’t have a favorite kind of chili, it just kind of depends on what I’m in the mood for. When I’m in the mood for a meatless chili, this Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili is my go-to! It’s so incredibly easy to make, is loaded with beans and has my favorite chili “secret” ingredient – baked beans! The sweetness from the baked beans adds a little something special to chili, and I really can’t make chili without it now!
I also love using the Instant Pot for chili because it speeds up the process a LOT. Typically you want chili to simmer for awhile to really get the flavors to deepen, but with the Instant Pot, there’s no need for that. It cooks in 8 minutes on high pressure – EIGHT!
What You’ll Need
Olive Oil
White Onion
Red Bell Pepper
Garlic
Chili Powder
Cumin
Smoked Paprika
Dried Oregano
Salt
Cayenne Pepper – this is optional but definitely add if you like a bit of heat in your chili!
Diced Tomatoes
Crushed Tomatoes
Black Beans
Pinto Beans
Kidney Beans
Black Beans
Vegetable Broth or Water
Shredded Cheese, Cilantro, Green Onions, Sour Cream/Greek Yogurt – for toppings
Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili Questions
Can Vegetarian Chili be made into a freezer meal?
Absolutely! To make this into a freezer meal, simply place all of the ingredients except the broth/water and toppings into a freezer bag and freeze. Once you’re ready to cook it, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, add it to the Instant Pot, add the water/broth, and then cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.
You can also freeze this after cooking, too. Simply put it into freezer bags (ideally once it’s cooled off a bit) and freeze flat. Freezing it flat will make it easier to store in the freezer without taking up a lot of room. You can also freeze it in a Tupperware container.
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yeah that will work, too. Just saute the onions and bell peppers, and then add to the slow cooker along with the remaining ingredients. Cook on high for 3 hours or low or 6-7 hours.
What should I serve with Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili?
My favorite is cornbread! I either use this recipe, or Famous Dave’s boxed mix. If I don’t have time to make cornbread, I like to serve it with tortilla chips crushed on top.
What toppings are the best for vegetarian chili?
My favorite are shredded cheddar cheese, plain Greek yogurt, and chopped green onions. Cilantro, hot sauce, a squeeze of lime, and sour cream are also delicious on top of this chili!