A healthy and flavorful Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili recipe made with dried beans, vegetables, spices, and a secret ingredient. This is an easy, one-pot meatless meal your whole family will love.
Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili
I love this meatless vegetarian chili recipe and I know you are going to love it, too. I think it's fun to use dried beans, cooked in the Instant Pot. Dried beans are fun to use and inexpensive. I'm working with Hurst's Beans today and I used their slow cooker chili dried bean mix for this recipe. I love their mixed dried beans because you get a good variety of beans all in one bag. This chili mix contains Pinto, black, small red, and kidney beans all in one bag. The best part is you DO NOT have to soak these beans before cooking them. You literally toss them in the pot and let them cook. They turn out awesome every time.
Other things that I love about this recipe are that it has a heavy hand of vegetables in it, but you don't know it. They kind of cook into nothing and just add flavor and great texture. It also contains a hidden vegetable that I love to sneak into chili... pumpkin! Adding pumpkin thickens the chili and adds a pleasant sweetness that offsets the acidic tomatoes nicely. Trust me on this one, no one will know that your chili has pumpkin in it. I can't wait for you to try this veggie-filled chili and be sure to read the tips and tricks on how to make it in the slow cooker if you don't have an Instant Pot and how to make substitutions to fit your preferences.
Here’s why I’m excited to be working with Hurst’s Beans today. Hurst’s is a 4th generation family-owned company that is based out of Indiana (I was raised in Indiana and consider myself a Hoosier through and through), and they’ve been a brand that has been in my cupboard, my mom’s cupboard, and my grandma’s cupboard for years and years. I grew up loving the 15 Bean Soup Mix, and their products are ones I use and know well. I’m so excited to be working with them today. They grow their beans in the US and Canada (yay!), and the flavor packets really are just seasonings in a convenient little package. They are gluten-free and vegan and have no added MSG. This is a great brand, and I can’t wait for you to bring them into your own kitchen if you haven’t already.
What size Instant Pot do you have?
I got an 8-quart Instant Pot in November and I love it! I'm shocked at how much I use it. It's great for all kinds of soups, Cajun beans and rice, "boiled eggs", homemade chicken stock, and more. I think you need one 🙂
Can I substitute chicken stock for vegetable broth?
You have a lot of flexibility here. Feel free to use chicken stock if you're not concerned about it being vegetarian. You can also use fire-roasted tomatoes if you like, and you can use 2 small cans of diced green chilis in place of the salsa. Use what you have, Friends!
Can I use a slow cooker instead of the Instant Pot?
Yes! You can make this in the slow cooker by sauteing the veggies in a pan and then adding the beans and cooked veggies into the slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 4-6 hours. Add the rest of the ingredients and cook for another hour or until the beans are tender. Adjust seasoning to taste and enjoy.
What do I serve with Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili?
- Skillet Cornbread
- The Best Homemade Cornbread Recipe
- Momma's Jumbo Dinner Rolls
- The Best Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits
- Sour Cream Cornbread
- Super Simple No-Knead Bread
Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves 8-10 1x
Description
A healthy and flavorful Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili recipe made with dried beans, vegetables, spices, and a secret ingredient. This is an easy, one-pot meatless meal your whole family will love.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup celery, diced (about 2 ribs)
- 1 bag Hurst Slow Cooker Dried Chili Bean Mix (15.5 ounces)
- 5 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic, about 6 cloves
- 1 cup green salsa
- 2 cans petite diced tomatoes (14.5 ounce)
- 1 and ½ cups pumpkin puree
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Additional salt, pepper, and cumin to taste
Instructions
- Select browning/saute to preheat the pressure cooker. Add the olive oil, onion, bell pepper, and celery and saute, stirring often, until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the dry beans and the vegetable broth.
- Lock the lid in place, make sure the vent is set to seal, and select high pressure and 30 minute cook time.
- When the cooking time ends, use the quick pressure release. When the valve drops, remove the lid carefully.
- Add the garlic, green salsa, diced tomatoes, pumpkin puree, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and salt. Stir to combine.
- Place the lid on the pressure cooker again, making sure the vent is set to seal. Select high pressure and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
- When the cooking time ends, use the quick pressure release. When the valve drops, remove the lid carefully.
- Adjust salt, pepper, and cumin to taste and serve hot.
Notes
- You have a lot of flexibility here. Feel free to use chicken stock if you're not concerned about it being vegetarian. You can use fire-roasted tomatoes if you like, and you can use 2 small cans of diced green chilis in place of the salsa.
- You can make this in the slow cooker by sauteing the veggies in a pan, then adding the beans and cooked veggies into the slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 4-6 hours. Add the rest of the ingredients and cook for another hour. Adjust seasoning to taste and enjoy.
- If the chili tastes a little too acidic in the end, feel free to add 1 tablespoon of white sugar. Tomatoes vary a lot and if it's too acidic my kids don't like it.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8-10
- Calories: 202
- Sugar: 6.9g
- Fat: 15.7g
- Carbohydrates: 13.1g
- Protein: 3.7g
- Cholesterol: 14.8mg
Keywords: Instant Pot, Chili, Vegetarian, Vegan, Vegan Chili, Vegan Chili Recipe, Vegetarian Chili Recipe, Instant Pot Chili
Here are a few other simple recipes I think you’ll love:
- Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili
- Instant Pot Split Pea Soup
- Roasted Tomato Basil Soup
- Easy Slow Cooker Chili
- Slow Cooker Creamy Turkey and Butternut Squash Chili
- Easy Turkey Pumpkin Chili
- Creamy Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
- Healthy Lentil Chili
- Loaded Nacho Supreme Chili
- The Best Slow Cooker Chili Recipes
I hope that you love this easy Instant Pot Vegetarian Chilias much as we did. It's got great flavor and texture and you can't beat how quickly an Instant Pot can cook dried beans!
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Hurst’s Beans. Thank you for supporting the brands that help make Bless this Mess possible.
Care
So easy, filling and very flavorful! My son loved it! Thank you!
★★★★★
Cheryl
do you have adjusted amounts for a 6 quart instapot?
Melissa
Nope it should be the same.
Jennifer
I have made this chili about a half-dozen times now, and it is really stellar! I haven't been able to find the Hurst beans, so I use a mixture of whatever I have on hand - usually some black, some pinto, and maybe some small red beans. Thank you for the great recipe!
★★★★★
Alysia m Thadathil
I'm making this now, I have a question though... Do you not add the seasoning packet that comes in the bag of beans? Only add the seasonings as listed above?
Melissa
You can do either or! I didn't add it in this recipe, but it tastes great. You can omit my seasoning and add the packet, and then add more of the seasoning I suggested to taste. It's up to you!
Melissa
This recipe does no call for the seasoning packet, but you for sure can use it. I do often and it's really good. You can omit my seasoning and add the packet and then just add additional seasoning that I've suggested to taste, you won't need the full amount.
Lynne
I made this and my kids loved it; I wanted to make it again, but we don’t presently have green salsa or diced green chili’s in our pantry - any other substitutions that might work? Ty!
★★★★★
Melissa
Normal salsa will work fine!
Sandy
What is causing this to be do high in sodium??
Melissa
Probably something weird in my recipe nutrition calculator... I don't think it should be that high either. Maybe plug it into something like myfitnesspal app on your end?
Andi
I’ve made this vegetarian chili twice now, and it is a huge hit, even with my meat-loving husband and son! They’ve both asked me to make it many more times.
★★★★★
Melissa
I love hearing that! Thank you for coming back to a leave a review, I've fed this to so many meat-lovers and people don't even notice until you point out that it's meatless. I'm glad they love it!
Jamie
This looks so good! I have the Hurst cajun beans and looked and no store around me carries the chili ones. Do you know if what I have will work if I don't use the cajun packet? I don't know how close their different products are...
Cathleen Feduke
I found out right after setting the first pressure cooking time that my cans of diced tomatoes were bad. Fortunately my neglected garden had nearly enough tomatoes to fill the void. This was absolutely delicious.
This was my 2nd time using an instant pot (first being just corn on the cob) Your instructions were very simple to follow. Thank you for the recipe.
★★★★★
Melissa
Ooohhhh friend this is one of my favorite IP recipe too! I also have a recipe for this broccoli cheese soup that has a ONE minute cook time! It's a great one to add to your list 🙂 https://www.blessthismessplease.com/best-instant-pot-broccoli-cheese-soup/ Happy soup making!
Elaine
Wow! My family just raved about this dinner! Thank you so much for a yummy addition to our dinner rotation!
★★★★★
Melissa
So glad you loved it! And thank you for coming back to leave a 5-star review, that means a lot to me. This is one we eat over and over again too and always love.
Elisabeth
I know you said you own an 8-quart Instant Pot. I have a 6-quart—will all of the ingredients in this recipe fit in a 6-quart Instant Pot? Would I need to make any adjustments in the cooking time?
Thank you!
Melissa
It'll fit great in a 6 quart, no adjustments needed!
ami
is there any substitute for pumpkin puree? Thanks!
Melissa
You can use any squash puree and sometimes I'll even do just cubed sweet potato (raw and let it cook in the pot) or you can skip it all together!
CAM
Just found your recipe...looks great...going to try tomorrow...One question? Do you use the flavor packet that comes in the bag of chili beans? or leave out and just use the spices you describe...appreciate your help!!!
Melissa
I did NOT use it. Just use the spice recommended in the recipe and you are good to go!
deb c
I dehydrated this yumminess....then I rehydrated it....amazing....guess what gets to go backpacking with me now!!!!! Next....figure out how to dh and rh your cornbread!
Melissa
You are going to have to teach my your dehydration ways, that's so cool!
BJBMomma
I need to leave this cooking in the kitchen at a teacher appreciation meal I cannot attend. Do you think I could put all the ingredients in the IP after sauteing and set it on the bean/chili setting? It will have plenty of time to cook, but I won't be able to come back and add the garlic, tomatoes, etc.
Melissa
I would add everything BUT the tomatoes and just stir those in in the end. Some people say that dry beans don't cook as well when an acid like tomatoes are present while cooking. Get petite diced and no one will know they didn't cook with everything else.
deb c
The carnivore walked around the whole time these were cooking...."chili con carne without the con carne." Once the chili was done, he whined, sniveled and whimpered....then he ate two bowls full. He gives your recipe an A, it would have been an A+ if it had big chunks of burger....MEN...grrrr......I sauted without the oil, just a wee bit of water instead. Now I can dehydrate this yumminess for camp meals! Love the different textures of the beans in the mix too! I have finally found my go to chili recipe..YEA! Thanks!!
Melissa
Best review ever! Thank you Debbie!!