Make a big batch of this Instant Pot lentil and bean chili and you can wave boring meals goodbye! Serve over rice, as a jacket potato filling, in a taco salad or turn into burritos – this healthy vegan chili is endlessly versatile.
You will also love Lentil, squash and chickpea dhal
Making this Vegan Chili could not be easier, thanks to a little Instant Pot magic. I mean, it’s not really that difficult to make in general, but pressure cooking allows you to use dried pulses without soaking them first.
Why use dried pulses? Well for one thing they are generally a lot cheaper than the canned versions – yielding up to 3 times their original amount when cooked. They taste a whole lot better when you cook them yourself – really, quite a revelation. Plus you can control the amount of salt, eliminate additives and experiment with lesser known pulses.
I only recently ventured into the world of Instant Pot, but I am rapidly becoming a Pot head… I never, ever thought I could call myself that 😉 But it’s like I am in the beginning stages of a love affair – I use my IP daily and sometimes multiples times a day. I am constantly excited to try new recipes and I am boring my husband silly with my euphoric Instant Pot rhapsodies.
Before I bore you as well, let me talk a little more about this chili. It is…
- Totally vegan – unless you add toppings like sour cream and cheese – and gluten-free
- Even more delicious the second or third day
- Mild enough for kids to enjoy – though you can dial up the heat if you prefer
- Really versatile – turn into taco salad, add rice and cheese and a tortilla to turn into burritos, make chilli Mac and cheese, chilli topped jacket potatoes or fries…
To make your chili, start by preparing all your ingredients first. Chop up your onion (or you can use frozen chopped onions) and peppers, mince your garlic and measure out your salt and spices. Rinse the lentils and beans thoroughly in cold water. Prepare your stock – I used a Kallo vegetable bouillon cube here but you can use homemade stock if you prefer..
Sauté your onion first, then add the garlic, spices and seasoning. Stir in the peppers for a minute or two and then add the beans, lentils, tomatoes and stock. Set your vent to ‘sealing’ and cook for 25 minutes on high pressure. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 20 minutes then manually release.
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Check out these brand new Celebrating Food Bloggers Chili Recipes :
Slow Cooker Turkey Chili from My Mommy Style
Instant Pot White Chicken Chili from Ashlee Marie
Chicken Enchilada Chili from Creations by Kara
Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili from Real Mom Kitchen
Taco Chili from Simply Stacie
Slow Cooker Chili from Pretty Providence
Pork Chili Verde from The Baker Upstairs
Sweet Potato Chili from Namely Marly
Homemade 3 Bean Vegetarian Chili from An Italian in My Kitchen
Award Winning Crockpot Chili from Heather Likes Food
Instant Pot Chili from Savory Experiments
Instant Pot Turkey Lentil Chili from 365 Days of Slow Cooking
Creamy White Chicken Chili from Crumb
Jalapeno Popper Turkey Chili from Premeditated Leftovers
Even more delicious chili recipes:
Fritos Chili Casserole from Creations by Kara
Mexican Chicken Chili from Creations by Kara
Sweet potato black bean chilli (vegan) by Domestic Gothess
Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken Chili from Plain Chicken
Cheese Tortellini Chili from The Taylor House
Loaded Quinoa Chili from Domestic Superhero
Chipotle Chocolate Chili from Our Best Bites
Cheesy Chili Bombs from This Mama Loves Food
Chili Cheese Bread Dip from Sunny Sweet Days
Chili Pot Pies with Cornbread Crust from Sweet Peas and Saffron
Pumpkin Chili from Tidy Mom
Crockpot Cream Chicken Chili from Chelsea’s Messy Apron
BBQ Chicken Chili from Carlsbad Cravings
Chili Cheese Baked Potato Casserole from Eat Cake for Dinner
Beef chilli with cornbread dumplings from the blog archives
Instant Pot lentil and bean chili
Ingredients
- 2-3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion finely diced
- 3 large garlic cloves minced
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp hot chili powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp ancho chili paste (optional)
- 1 red bell pepper finely diced
- 1 green bell pepper finely diced
- 1 yellow bell pepper finely diced
- 1 cup (160g) black beans, rinsed
- 1 cup (160g) green lentils, rinsed
- 1 cup (180g) red split lentils, rinsed
- 2x 15oz (400g) canned chopped tomatoes in juice
- 4 cups (950ml) hot vegetable stock from 1 cube
- Handful Fresh coriander (cilantro) leaves to garnish
Instructions
- Add the oil into your pressure cooker and select the ‘Sauté’ function.
- Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 3 minutes, then add the garlic, spices and seasoning. Stir to combine.
- Add the peppers, and paste if using, and stir for 2 minutes.
- Stir in the beans, lentils, tomatoes and stock.
- Set your vent to ‘sealing’ and cook for 25 minutes on high pressure. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 20 minutes then manually release.
- Taste the seasoning and adjust if necessary.
- Serve over rice, as jacket potato filling, in taco salad, nachos or turn into a burrito.
Notes
Nutritional Info
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Jay says
We normally eat vegtarian 5 nights a week with very little meat the other 2 nights. We cooked this with 1 Lb of ground turkey. It turned out fantastic for a family of 6.
Lucy Parissi says
Great to hear Jay!
Sherry says
Just made my second batch in a weeks time. Family loved it. THank you for an awesome and easy recipe. Def a keeper. 🙂
Lucy Parissi says
So glad to hear it Sherry! You just made me smile so big 🙂
SB says
I only have canned black beans on hand. Can I use these and if so, how does the recipe change? Thanks!
Lucy Parissi says
Cook as per recipe and stir the cooked black beans at the end, after releasing pressure, heating them up on the sauté function. I think that should work fine but alternatively you could cook them for a very short time on high pressure – maybe a minute or two?
Jersey Girl Cooks says
Delish! And I love all the chili recipes!
Lucy Parissi says
Yes there’s lots to choose from!
Albert Bevia says
This is a really healthy recipe for chili, I love the combination of beans that you used, and yes! popchips are so amazing! I could eat this chili with a bag of popchips 🙂
Stacie Vaughan says
Looks hearty and delicious! I’ve never tried Pop chips but they look tasty.
Liz says
I’m new to the IP, too, and I’m loving the look of your fabulous lentil chili!!
Lucy Parissi says
It’s a great beginner recipe – pretty much cooks itself!
Nina says
Thanks for the recipe, I recently purchased a stove top pressure cooker, I am assuming that I will just cook this recipe on Hugh pressure and natural release.
Are the ‘black’ beans red kidney beans? Are all the beans added dried. Do you need to soak any of the. them first?
Thanks
Lucy Parissi says
The black beans are called ‘black turtle beans’ in the UK and but apparently this is a common name for regular black beans. They are quite a bit smaller than kidney beans and totally black (this might help https://www.quora.com/Are-black-beans-and-black-turtle-beans-the-same-thing). No soaking required for the ingredients specified in this recipe.
Alicia says
This looks so tasty! I love lentils and I love my Instant Pot, so this looks like a must-make!
Lucy Parissi says
Hope you make it! 🙂
Karen says
My husband and I love lentils. This looks like a great lunch for taking to work! Healthy and filling.
Rosemary says
I love lentils and this sounds like the perfect recipe for me.
Kara says
I’m always up for trying a new Instant Pot recipe. This looks so yummy, especially with all of those toppings!
Linda @ With A Blast says
I have just ordered two instant pots (2nd one for my daughter) and can not wait to start using them ! Your recipe will most definitely be one of the first I try as we love a good chili 🙂
Lucy Parissi says
I am actually considering ordering a second one myself!
April says
I looooooove lentils! This looks SO good and I’m always looking for new recipes to try in my Instant Pot. I think this one is next on my list! 😀
Lucy Parissi says
I do too – so delicious and economical. And so easy in an instant pot!
Samantha Dawn says
Looks so cozy and comforting! I love the idea of adding crunchy chips as a side.
Lucy Parissi says
It’s a must!
Jessica Fasano Formicola says
This is the most delicious idea for lentils! So hearty and healthy!
Lucy Parissi says
I have been having it for lunch for days and still not tired of it
Sally says
This dish is absolutely delicious! We had it with wholegrain rice and parsley on top. My husband and I went for Seconds as soon as our plate was empty! Good thing this recipe is a healthy one 🙂 highly recommended!
Lucy Parissi says
so glad you enjoyed it Sally 🙂