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Spicy Chili Con Carne (Easy Instant Pot Recipe)

Spicy Chili Con Carne recipe is a thick stew that will warm you from the inside-out. This filling dish is rich and packed with flavor! The Instant Pot makes it a 30-minute meal.

Top-down view of a blue bowl of Chili Con Carne garnished with cheese, jalapenos, and cilantro. A spoon sits to the side over a linen napkin.

Chili Con Carne is a warm spicy dish that is stuffed with meat and warm flavors. It’s filling and versatile. This dish makes a great stew but would also make an amazing enchilada filling. Being an Instant Pot recipe, it makes this simple chili recipe perfect to throw together after a long day of work or in between errands.

There are several reasons that it’s the perfect time to make this Chili Con Carne recipe!

  • National Chili Day is February 28
  • Cinco de Mayo is May 5
  • It’s Freaky Friday Winter Edition!
Banner showing hot chocolate in a red cup and saucer with the Freaky Friday Recipe winter edition printed next to the saucer.

Freaky Friday Winter arrived just in time. The Freaky Friday blog hop, organized by Michaela who runs An Affair From the Heart, is a group of bloggers that are secretly assigned each others’ blogs from which we choose a recipe appropriate for the theme. The blog that I was given was Aunt Bee’s Recipes.

Brandi is the creator of Aunt Bee’s Recipes and is certainly a busy bee with two children and a hubby. She states that when she got married she couldn’t boil water but now loves pouring through cookbooks and cooking for her family.

Her blog Aunt Bee’s Recipes has some amazing recipes that are perfect for the busy family. I had a heck of a time deciding which recipe to pick. I really had my eye on her Crockpot Jalapeno Popper Crack Chicken or her Butterfinger Poke cake but once I saw her Chili Con Carne recipe I knew I found the first recipe to try.

Angled view of a blue bowl of Chili con carne garnished with cheese, jalapenos and a swirl of sour cream. Tortilla chips and a white bowl of cheese sits in the background.

FAQ’s

What is Chili Con Carne?


Chili con carne or chili con carne meaning “chili with meat” is a spicy stew containing chili peppers, meat (usually beef), and often tomatoes and beans. … Geographic and personal tastes involve different types of meat and ingredients.

Is Chili Con Carne a Mexican dish?


When it comes to the story of chili, tales and myths abound. While many food historians agree that chili con carne is an American dish with Mexican roots, Mexicans are said to indignantly deny any association with the dish.

Chili Con Carne Ingredients

  • Sirloin steak or roast
  • onion – I used a yellow onion but you can use a white onion or even a sweet vadalia onion.
  • bell pepper – Green pepper or the bell pepper of your choice.
  • garlic – I used fresh garlic.
  • jalapeno – Fresh jalapenos. Feel free to add a mixture of green chile peppers. Poblano or Hatch would be amazing.
  • crushed tomatoes – I bought canned crushed tomatoes.
  • lime – fresh lime
  • sugar
  • chili powder – I use pure chili powder. Look at the label. A lot of chili powders include other ingredients!
  • beef broth – or beef stock. I use low fat, low sodium.
  • salt & pepper

You May Need

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Instant Pot – I really recommend this Instant Pot. It has been so easy getting to know. I have the 8-quart size but the 6-quart size would be adequate for most recipes.

We love Chili and Mexican-inspired flavors. This Easy Chile Con Carne recipe delivered on both. I loved how easy this recipe was and I’ll be making it a regular in our house.

I hope you enjoyed this delicious recipe as much as we do. Drop me a comment below, and don’t forget to give it a star rating. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. Your comments and ratings help others decide if this recipe is for them too.

A blue bowl of Chili con carne garnished with cheese, jalapenos, and a swirl of sour cream. A white bowl of cheese sits in the background.

Spicy Chili Con Carne (Instant Pot Recipe)

Author: Julie Menghini
Spicy Chili Con Carne recipe is a rich and thick stew with warm spices.  It's a quick recipe to make and perfect for busy schedules.
5 from 13 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Natural Release 10 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American, Mexican
Keyword: Chili Con Carne
Servings: 10

Equipment

Ingredients
 
 

  • 3 tbs vegetable oil or butter*
  • 2 lbs sirloin sliced thinly
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 1 bell pepper
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1 jalapeno minced – remove ribs & seeds
  • 28 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 1 lime juiced
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Add vegetable oil to the instant pot and set to saute.  Cook the sliced steak until browned in batches.  Avoid overcrowding.  Remove steak and place it on a plate or in a bowl.  Continue until all of the meat is browned.
  • Add onions and bell pepper to the instant pot.  Saute for 5 minutes and then add the minced garlic and jalapeno.  Saute for an additional minute.
  • Add the meat back to the instant pot with the sauteed vegetables.  Add tomatoes, lime juice, sugar, chili powder, beef broth, salt, and pepper.
  • Place the lid on the instant pot and turn to close.  Close pressure release valve.  Set the pot for 12 minutes on high pressure.  When finished, let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes and then manually release pressure.
  • Garnish with cheese, sour cream, cilantro, and tortilla chips. 

Notes

The original recipe uses bacon grease for sauteing steak.
Recipe developed by Aunt Bee’s Recipes

Nutrition

Calories: 212kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 22gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 504mgPotassium: 722mgFiber: 2gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 1035IUVitamin C: 27.3mgCalcium: 65mgIron: 2.9mg

Nutritional Disclaimer

This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.

Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

Here are a couple more recipes I think you’ll love!

See what else is cooking from my Freaky Friday friends!

Take a look at all of our Winter Freaky Friday Recipes:

Latest posts on the blog

5 from 13 votes
Recipe Rating




Deanna

Tuesday 19th of February 2019

Mmmm I want a big bowl of this!!! It looks so yummy!!

Julie Menghini

Wednesday 20th of February 2019

Thank you Dee!

michele

Monday 18th of February 2019

Chili is my go to for cold weather days and as usual, you tantalized my tastebuds! Made this over the weekend.... it was absoflipping delicious!

Julie Menghini

Tuesday 19th of February 2019

Thank you, Michele! It was super easy and we loved it too!

Loretta

Tuesday 12th of February 2019

At any given time, you'll always find a couple containers of chili in my freezer. It's a staple in the winter time. I love eating it as a soup or also as a meal. Now I have another recipe to add to my long list of chilis :) Thanks for sharing.

Julie Menghini

Saturday 16th of February 2019

Thank you, Loretta! I'm a chili hoarder and get nervous when my supply gets low. I love it so much that I eat it all year round.

Deb

Tuesday 12th of February 2019

This looks incredible, what a delicious bowl chili and I love that you used the pressure cooker - on the menu!!

Julie Menghini

Tuesday 12th of February 2019

Thanks, Deb! I'm loving the Instant Pot for making the tougher meat tender.

Lori Vachon

Monday 11th of February 2019

I was just looking for a new recipe to make in my Instant Pot, thanks for such a great recipe. Hearty and full of flavor!

Julie Menghini

Monday 11th of February 2019

Thank you, Lori! This one is definitely a keeper!

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