Homemade Chili is a classic comfort food that everyone loves. This Easy Chili Recipe can be made in the crock pot or the Instant Pot making it fast and convenient. Our Crock Pot Chili is made up of ground beef, beans, bacon and savory condiments that make it hearty and delicious.
Course
crock pot, instant pot, Main Dish
Cuisine
American
Keyword
chili, crock pot, ground beef, instant pot
Prep Time10minutes
Cook Time4hours
Ingredients
1poundground beef – Lean ground beef gives flavor but also less fat and grease
1can kidney beans drained– rinse and drain in strainer before using
1can butter beans drained– rinse and drain in strainer before using
2cans pork and beans- we prefer using Busch’s Baked Beans but you can use classic cheap pork ‘n beans
1 12 cups ketchup
1cupbrown sugar
1/2cuponionschopped– we always leave the onion out but if you like onions it would be a great addition
12 cup Tablespoons white vinegar
2-3Tablespoonliquid smoke– this is an important ingredient! Don’t omit it because it helps to give the chili a nice smoky flavor
6piecesof baconcrumbled– you can substitute bacon bits or use pre-cooked bacon
Instructions
CROCK POT INSTRUCTIONS
Dump drained and rinsed kidney and butter beans into a crock pot
Add pork ‘n beans to crock pot
Brown ground beef, drain excess fat and add to crock pot
Add ketchup, liquid smoke, brown sugar, white vinegar and bacon
Stir everything together
Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6-8
INSTANT POT INSTRUCTIONS
Turn your Instant Pot to Saute, then select More. Add a little olive oil to the pot and add ground beef and cook until browned (add your chopped onions if desired and saute along with ground beef)
Break up the beef with a spatula or wooden spoon as your stir
Add beans, bacon, brown sugar ketchup, liquid smoke, white vinegar to the pot and stir together
Turn the Instant Pot to the Chili/Beans setting and place the lid on the pot
Cook for 20 minutes
Release the pressure either manually or allow it to release naturally.