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Vegan Instant Pot Chili with Greens (oil-free)

Jump to Recipe

This flavor-packed vegan chili with greens requires very little hands-on time, thanks to the Instant Pot. Plus, this recipe requires no oil. Serve up a big guilt-free bowl and enjoy the benefits of its warming comfort, heartiness, and fiber-filled goodness.

Chili bowls with toasted polenta rounds, greens, vegan sour cream. and smoky hemp heart seasoning.

Meatless chili has been a family staple for decades. The recipe has varied a bit each time I make it, so it's nice to finally right a version down to refer to! I love making it in the Instant Pot now so that I can do other things while it cooks. Plus, it's an opportunity to save money by using dried beans. I was able to purchase organic dried kidney, black, and pinto beans at my local grocery store bulk bin for just $1.99 per pound.

This chili pairs really well with this tasty Smoky Hemp Heart Seasoning Mix.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients and Substitutions
  • Hot tip on peppers
  • Instructions
  • Variations
  • Equipment
  • Storage
  • FAQ
  • Related
  • Pairing
  • The Recipe
  • general food safety
  • Comments

Ingredients and Substitutions

This chili relies on classic ingredients with the bonus of greens like kale that can be stirred in after the cooking process. It may seem like a long list, but most are basic pantry staples and easily-found ingredients.

Ingredients for making vegan Instant Pot chili, including three different beans.
dinosaur kale wrapped in a towel to dry after washing.

Dried beans: This chili is a classic three-bean version, with dry black, pinto, and red kidney beans. If you only have one of the three, substitute it for the other two - you'll still have a great chili. I've made it with other dried beans like soldier beans and had success, too.

Onion: A red, yellow, or white onion will do here.

Garlic: We're using a good amount of garlic to enhance the flavor of this chili.

Red pepper: This pepper provides a sweet addition; yellow or orange pepper could be used instead.

Jalapeno pepper: Such a wonderful flavor to add. Deseed if you don't want the hot spiciness. This is an optional ingredient, since they're hard to find in some places. The chili will still be great without, but I do recommend if you can find them.

Strained tomatoes: I prefer strained tomatoes over the typical canned diced, both because I like the smooth texture of strained and that they're typically sold in glass bottles rather than tins. That said, if you want to use the canned, you certainly can (hehe), in equal amounts.

Tomato paste: This adds such a nice sweetness to balance the chili.

Veggie broth and water: These provide the liquid base in the chili. The broth can typically bring enough saltiness to the chili so that there's no real need to add any salt, especially if you're topping it with lime juice and the smoky seasoning.

Blackstrap molasses: The smoky sweetness works well with the tomatoes and beans. This is an optional ingredient, since you will likely enjoy this chili with or without it. Optional.

Spices: Chili powder, cacao powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and coriander create a harmony of flavor and depth that makes this chili sing.

Kale: Chopped or shredded kale added to the prepared, hot chili ends up blending in and softening, adding a nice texture and more nutrients without affecting the flavor much at all. Other greens like spinach, cabbage could be substituted. I prefer kale for its texture.

See recipe card for quantities and suggested toppings.

Hot tip on peppers

When peppers are priced low, I stock up and keep them in the freezer to use in meals like this. I've found this works well with jalapeno, red, and other peppers. First, wash and dry them well. Then, for larger peppers, remove the core and stem and freeze in chunks on a tray. For smaller peppers, keep whole. Once frozen, place them in a freezer-safe container and store for up to a few months.

Instructions

The recipe card may look long, but the steps for making this chili are simple. The hands-on time is really just sautéing the veggies before adding all the ingredients. Piece of cake!

Pinto, black, and red kidney beans soaking in a large bowl.

Soak the beans for at least eight hours.

Chopped onion, peppers, and garlic for making Instant Pot vegan chili.

Chop the fresh ingredients (except greens).

Sauteeing chopped ingredients in an Instant Pot for making vegan chili.

Sauté the fresh ingredients.

All vegan chili ingredients in an Instant Pot, ready to cook.

Add the remaining ingredients and set the Instant Pot to manual mode for 11 minutes. Let the pressure naturally release.

Once cooked, stir the chopped greens into the pot. If it won't all be eaten at once (in other words, if there might be leftovers), stir the greens into each bowlful.

Note: It can take 20-30 minutes for the Instant Pot to naturally release before you can remove the lid and begin serving.

Variations

Here are some ways you can vary this recipe to suit the needs of those gathering:

  • Spicy - keep the seeds in the jalapeno
  • Deluxe - use as many toppings as you can from the list in the recipe card
  • Kid friendly - remove the seeds from the jalapeno and use the smoother strained tomatoes rather than chunky.

Equipment

This recipe utilizes the Instant Pot, which is a wonderful tool for reducing hands-on time in the kitchen.

Storage

Once the chili has cooled to about room temperature (within two hours for food safety), store the chili in the fridge for up to a few days.

These ingredients do stand up well to freezing for up to a few months.

FAQ

Why vegan chili?

What's great about chili is that it is really filling without any meat. Plus, it's loaded with fiber, something Americans tend to not get nearly enough of.

Instant Pot vegan chili with greens, polenta rounds, vegan sour cream, and smoky hemp seasoning.

Related

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

  • Two plates filled with vegan mango taco salad with sriracha dressing, tortilla chips, sliced avocado
    Mango Taco Salad
  • Vegan Mexican Flatbread Pizza
  • a jar of homemade enchilada sauce with corn tortillas and a lime
    Quick and Easy Enchilada Sauce
  • A close-up view of two bowls filled with homemade vegan potato corn chowder with toppings on a marble surface.
    Potato Corn Chowder (vegan)

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with [this recipe]:

  • fresh homemade guacamole
    Easy Vegan Guacamole
  • A ramekin of smoky hemp heart seasoning
    Smoky Hemp Heart Seasoning Mix
  • Smooth and creamy homemade vegan sour cream in a handcrafted bowl.
    Vegan Sour Cream (oil-free)
  • Toasted polenta rounds filling a large plate, surrounded by shredded kale, chopped red onion, and bowls of vegan chili.
    Toasted Polenta Rounds (air fryer or oven)

The Recipe

Vegan Instant Pot chili with greens served up in three bowls surrounded by topping options.

Vegan Instant Pot Chili

This flavor-packed vegan chili with greens requires very little hands-on time, thanks to the Instant Pot. Plus, this recipe requires no oil. Serve up a big guilt-free bowl and enjoy the benefits of its warming comfort, heartiness, and fiber-filled goodness.
______________________
Plant Diversity: 9 different plants in this recipe (including kale topping)!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate SaveSaved!
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Lifestyle: Gluten Free, Low Fat, Vegan, Vegetarian
Key Attributes: chili, instant pot
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Sauté Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Servings: 8
Fiber: 11.22g
Prevent your screen from going dark

Equipment

  • 1 cutting board and chef's knife for prepping onion, garlic, and peppers
  • 1 Instant Pot

Ingredients

Beans

  • ¾ cup dried pinto beans
  • ¾ cup dried red kidney beans
  • ¾ cup dried black beans or all one type of bean, or a mix of two

Veggies

  • 1 onion large
  • 5 garlic cloves
  • 1 red pepper or other peppers
  • 1 jalapeno pepper optional

Spices

  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons cacao powder
  • 2 teaspoons coriander
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Liquids

  • 1 24 oz strained tomatoes jar or diced if you like chunky
  • 24 oz water fill the emptied strained tomato jar
  • 1 7 oz tomato paste jar
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 tablespoons blackstrap molasses optional

Suggested Topping

  • 3 cups kale chopped/shredded, or other greens

Additional Topping Options

  • nutritional yeast
  • Smoky Hemp Heart Seasoning
  • avocado sliced or chopped
  • red onion sliced, chopped, or pickled
  • jalapeño sliced, chopped, or pickled
  • Vegan Sour Cream
  • Favorite Guacamole
  • vegan cheese such as Miyoko's cheddar
  • Crispy Polenta Rounds
  • tortilla chips crushed or whole
  • tortillas rolled, torn, toasted or soft

Instructions

  • Sort through the beans to remove any stones or other debris.
    Soak the beans covered in a couple inches of water for 8 hours (they can soak while you're at work, for example). This will help with digestion and reduce cooking time.
  • Chop the onion, peppers, and garlic.
  • Turn the Instant Pot on and push the Sauté button.
    Add the chopped onions, peppers, and garlic, stirring frequently until the onions are translucent. This should be done within 5 minutes. No need for oil, it will be hot enough to stir them around without.
    Turn the Instant Pot off once cooked.
  • Strain the beans.
  • Add the remaining ingredients, starting with the spices and ending with the beans.
    Set the Instant Pot to cook on manual mode for 15 minutes. Make sure it is sealed.
  • When the Instant Pot is done cooking, let it naturally release pressure. This takes about 20 minutes. You'll know it's ready when the float valve drops and you can open the Instant Pot.
    Warning: Open the lid away from you, so you keep your face out of the hot steam.
  • Stir the kale into each bowlful a couple minutes before eating. If all of the chili will be eaten at one meal, stir it into the pot instead. Add additional toppings, if desired.
  • Store any leftovers in jars or other sealed containers. Keep for a few days in the fridge or store in freezer safe containers and keep in the freezer for up to a few months.

Notes

Note: The time estimate above is not including the time an Instant Pot takes to naturally release pressure. This can be 20-30 minutes. What's nice is that this is hands-free time for you to do other things.
The fiber estimate is including the kale topping (not other toppings).

Rough Nutrition Estimate provided by WPRM (based on generic ingredients and limited specification options)

Nutrition Facts
Vegan Instant Pot Chili
Amount per Serving
Calories
233.05
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
1.72
g
3
%
Saturated Fat
 
0.36
g
2
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
0.69
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
0.3
g
Sodium
 
292.07
mg
13
%
Potassium
 
1054.35
mg
30
%
Carbohydrates
 
43.85
g
15
%
Fiber
 
11.22
g
47
%
Sugar
 
7.08
g
8
%
Protein
 
13.5
g
27
%
Vitamin A
 
3849.61
IU
77
%
Vitamin C
 
48.2
mg
58
%
Calcium
 
152.54
mg
15
%
Iron
 
4.66
mg
26
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?I'd love to see! On Instagram, mention @beautifulingredient and tag #beautifulingredient!

general food safety

  • Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
  • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food that previously touched raw meat
  • Wash hands and ingredients well before using
  • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
  • Never leave cooking food unattended
  • Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
  • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

More soup

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    Vegan Gnocchi Soup (oil-free)
  • a bowl of vegan oyster mushroom chowder with vegan bacon and other toppings
    Oyster Mushroom Chowder
  • Vegan potato leek lentil stew in two big bowls with dairy-free cream and other toppings.
    Potato Leek Lentil Stew
  • Quick Curry Ramen

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Comments

    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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  1. Sarah says

    January 28, 2023 at 3:28 pm

    What are the tostones looking items in the pictures?

    Reply
    • Kari says

      January 28, 2023 at 4:00 pm

      They are baked polenta rounds, and they're wonderful with chili. I will be putting up a post for them soon, so stay tuned.

      Reply
Kari smelling anise hyssop while standing behind her market basket and fresh produce.

Welcome to a world of beautiful food!

I'm Kari, and this is where I celebrate beautiful ingredients and focus on ways to make eating more plants easier. Recipes are centered around whole foods and are vegan, cooked without the need for oil, mostly refined sugar-free and gluten-free. And so delicious!


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