The Vegan Instant Pot Recipe: 4 Bean Chili is packed with big flavors and plant protein in a creamy tomato broth.
This 4 Bean Chili is a 30-minute, hearty dinner recipe requiring about 4 minutes active cooking from you! And you’ll never miss the meat!
Usually when January hits I naturally want to improve my eating habits. I max out on rich foods, cocktails, and an increase of desserts to what I normally eat. So, I wouldn’t say I have a resolution to do it but more that my system goes into rebellion craving healthier options, which is why this vegan instant pot recipe is perfect.
At the risk of sounding like an Instant Pot fanatic this week, I have grown to rely on it almost daily for everything from dinner, large pots of soups to get ahead, to making boiled chicken for a homemade treat for our puppy. It’s just so darn easy.
As mentioned when I shared the Instant Pot Chicken Taco Soup recipe, the Instant Pot really delivers building great flavor with recipes like soups and stews. They taste like they’ve been simmering on the stove for hours when they have only cooked for minutes. Can’t beat that, right? For those without an Instant Pot you’ll find some great recipes at the bottom of the post!
In winter I love chunkier stews, soups and chilis. The texture goes a long way to fill hungry stomachs and warm them too. This 4 Bean Chili Vegan Instant Pot Recipe uses four of my favorite beans: black beans, red kidney beans, cannellini beans and great northern beans. The combination of the different size and color beans makes for an varied texture and great flavor.
Did you know beans are packed with protein, fiber, antioxidants and B vitamins? They are a very affordable source of plant protein so a great choice for those ‘meatless Mondays’ recipes. This Vegan Instant Pot Recipe: 4 Bean Chili is so hearty you won’t miss the meat, promise.
My Secret Tip for Wrangling the Bean Aftermath: many people avoid beans due to the digestive distress they experience. My tip is to add a strip of Kombu Seaweed, a dried seaweed available in the Asian section most grocery stores or online, to bean recipes.
It adds some subtle flavor (not a seaweed’y flavor) but most importantly contains enzymes that break down the sugars in beans which is what causes the digestive turmoil for those who get it. Remove the seaweed before serving the recipe.
How to make this awesome Vegan Instant Pot Recipe: 4 Bean Chili – Step by Step:
One thing I love about using the Instant Pot for this recipe is being able to cook the entire recipe from sauté to pressure cook leaving only the insert for clean-up versus multiple pans. Don’t let the length of the ingredient list scare you. Most of the ingredients are spices or canned so you can still prep everything in less than 10 minutes.
The onions and peppers are sautéed in the Instant Pot with the garlic added in too. The remaining spices, vegetable stock, tomato sauce, tomatoes and beans are added in and cooked on high pressure. The result is a flavor-packed recipe with a creamy consistency broth from the tomato sauce.
Mind-Blowing Instant Pot Tips You Need to Know!
After developing Instant Pot recipes for the past few years, I’ve uncovered some unexpected, useful tips I think you’ll want to know!
Sign-Up below and I’ll tell you all my Instant Pot secrets!
More Easy Chili Recipes to try:
- Instant Pot Southwestern Chili
- Slow Cooker Tangy Baked Bean Chili (vegetarian)
- Spicy White Chili
- Slow Cooker 3 Bean Winter Chili
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Vegan Instant Pot Recipe: 4 Bean Chili
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons Olive Oil
- 1 medium Yellow Onion peeled and chopped
- 1 Yellow Bell Pepper seeded and chopped
- 3 Garlic Cloves diced
- 3 tablespoons Chili Powder
- 1 tablespoon Cumin
- 2 teaspoons Oregano
- 1 Chipotle Pepper chopped
- 1 teaspoon Adobo Sauce from the can of chipotle en adobo
- 2 cups Low Sodium Vegetable Stock
- 1 15-ounce can Tomato Sauce
- 1 15-ounce can Petite Diced Tomatoes
- 1 15-ounce can Black Beans drained and rinsed
- 1 15-ounce can Red Kidney Beans drained and rinsed
- 1 15-ounce can Canellini Beans drained and rinsed
- 1 15-ounce can Great Northern Beans drained and rinsed
- 1/4 teaspoon Kosher Salt
Optional topping ideas
- torn cilantro leaves
- sour cream (if not vegan)
- shredded cheese (if not vegan)
- pickled jalapenos
- sliced avocados
Instructions
- Select the SAUTE function on the Instant Pot. Heat the oil and add the onion, peppers and garlic. Saute until onion starts to soften (3-4 minutes).
- Add the chili powder, cumin and oregano; saute for an additional minute. NOTE: to avoid a burn warning on the Instant Pot ensure no food particles are sticking to the bottom of the insert before proceeding.
- Add the remaining ingredients, secure the lid, set the vent on SEALING and select MANUAL, High Pressure for 10 minutes.
- When complete, do a Natural Release for 10 minutes then release the remaining pressure manually, stir and serve. Garnish as desired.
Veronica says
Is this recipe intended for the 6-quart or the 8-quart instant pot?
Toni Dash says
6 quart!
Sue DeNardo says
This chilli looks really good but does anyone know how to make this in the instant pot using dried beans? It would be nice to throw dried beans and all the other items in one pot and cook it.
Ally says
I did mine with dried beans, I did a cup of each, used diced tomatoes instead of tomato sauce and an extra carton of veggie broth. I put it on manual pressure for 16 minutes and its so yummy
Toni Dash says
Thanks for sharing this Ally.
Eileen M Loya says
I would not miss having meat with this 4 bean chili recipe! I was reading through your ingredient list and I am so convinced that this would be hearty delicious! I have to make this soon.
Erin says
That chili looks amazing! Would be perfect to have for dinner on these cold nights! Thanks for the recipe!
Suzy says
This is so tasty! We really loved the flavor and how easy it was to throw together!
Stefani Tolson says
That looks delicious! I need to put my Instant Pot back to use…
Laura says
This is on our weekly meal plan! So delicious!
Laura Reese says
This recipe was so good and incredibly simple. I love your tip about the seaweed. I’ll be trying that as soon as I can find it!
Claudia Krusch says
I’ve been looking for hearty vegan recipes and yours is spot on! Can’t wait to try it!
Jennifer H says
This looks like a great dinner! I would definitely top it with cheese lol!
Heather says
While I haven’t been vegan for years, I still prefer vegan chili over the meat version. Can’t wait to try this recipe.
Marcie W. says
Chili is a family favorite, especially during the winter. I incorporate one vegetarian dinner into our meal plan every week and this would be perfect. Yum!
wilhelmina says
I also find myself using my instant pot almost daily. This chili is just the kind of recipe that keeps me reaching for it, so easy and delicious!
Brianne Tursi Manz says
This is chili season, and what a perfect recipe! I like this for a vegan option, especially if we invite some friends over who are vegan.
Matt Ivan says
My brother swears by instant pot beans. Gonna send your revile his way! Thanks.
Renee | The Good Hearted Woman says
Chili is just the best this time of year! Thanks fo the tip about the Kombu Seaweed, too. That’s totally new to me!
Stacie says
Chili is the perfect thing on a cold day. I really love this meatless version. I’m not a vegetarian, but I adore a good bean-filled chili.
Tara Pittman says
My microwave tray broke so I have been using my pressure cooker more. This sounds awesome for dinner
Kelly Anthony says
Bean chili is my favorite and I’m so glad you included the secret weapon to eating a big bowl of this delicious dish. I’ll be buying some of the Kombu Seaweed to keep on hand.
Traci says
I swear vegan chili in the instant pot is the best way to enjoy plant-based chili. It’s rich with flavor and texture!
Katie says
This has been a perfect busy day dinner for us. We love it!
April says
M’mmm…..I LOVE a chili with lots of beans. It was so filling and delicious – I didn’t even miss the beef!