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Instant Pot Turkey Chili with Beans

Instant Pot Turkey Chili with Beans is one of the most flavorful meals I make. Additionally, it’s super easy to put together, and it’s fast. This healthy turkey chili is as delicious as it is filling and nutritious!

bowl of turkey chili with cheese and chips

Don’t wait until December or January to cook this delicious chili. It’s good any time of year. In fact, I like it just as much in the heat of summer when I like to toss a bunch of ingredients into a pot and go about my business. Then I come back to a finished meal, all in one pot.

Cooking can be as easy as you want it to be. And this recipe is one you’ll turn to often, especially when you’re pressed for time.

Instant Pot Cooking

When I make chili on the stove or in the slow cooker, it takes hours and hours. Making it in the Instant Pot cuts that time to approximately 20 minutes.

In fact, I could have significantly cut the cooking time for this chicken stew with the Instant Pot.

One thing you’ll notice if you look at the picture is that I’m not using the actual Instant Pot. It’s the Crock Pot version that does the exact same thing.

When I went to Kohl’s, that’s the one that was on sale. So I looked at the reviews that were just as good, so I bought it.

Crockpot Express heating up

You can purchase either of these multifunction cookers at any number of places. In fact, I saw the Instant Pot on sale at Walmart last time I was there, and I bought it.

So now I have two multi-function cookers, and I like both of them.

Instant Pot and Crock Pot Express

Not only can you make turkey chili with beans in the Instant Pot you can also make vegetable soup, homemade bean soup, and much more. As far as I know, anything you cook in the slow cooker can be made in this pot.

Instant Pot Turkey Chili Ingredients

Since this is turkey chili, you need to start with ground turkey. I like to keep a variety of ground meat in my freezer so I can change things up on a whim.

You can make it with ground beef or pork, so choose whichever one you prefer. I’ve also made it with sausage, and it always turns out good.

Chili with cheese and chips

Here are some of the other ingredients:

  • Tomato sauce
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Chili beans
  • Chili powder
Containers of diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili beans, and chili powder

I also use either frozen chopped onions or a seasoning blend that has onions in it.

This time I used the blend because that’s what I happened to have in my freezer.

Frozen seasoning blend

Now I’ll let you in on something that makes it really good. I’ve been doing this for years, and no one has complained.

One of my “secret” ingredients for a lot of soups, stews, and sauces is cinnamon. I don’t use much—only a dash to add a little extra flavor.

Container of ground cinnamon

For exact measurements of each ingredient and full directions, go to the recipe card at the bottom of the page. You can even print out the card by using the “print” button.

How to Make Instant Pot Turkey Chili

First, turn the Instant Pot on the sauté setting and brown the meat. If you need to drain it, now is the time to do it.

The ground turkey I used was lean, so it wasn’t necessary. I use a hamburger meat chopper to make the job easier.

There have been times I’ve used olive oil when the meat was too lean to brown the meat. But this time it was just right.

Browning the ground turkey in the Instant Pot

Next, add the seasoning mix and sauté until the onions are translucent.

Turn off the Instant Pot.

Seasoning mix in the Instant Pot

Finally, pour in the rest of the ingredients. Make sure the vent is sealed, and press the “soup” or “chili” setting.

Since everything is already cooked, it doesn’t take long to have delicious chili.

The Instant Pot uses pressure to blend all the flavors that would take hours cooked the traditional way.

The Crock Pot Express on the beans/chili setting

Common Questions About Cooking Chili

Chili is one of my favorite things to cook. Although some people wait until it gets cold outside, I like it any time of year. Maybe that’s because I live in a warm climate, and it hardly ever gets cold.

Here are some questions you might have about making chili:

How Do You Make Chili Thicker?

If you prefer a thicker broth, you can add flour, cornmeal, or corn starch. However, don’t add it directly to the hot chili, or you’ll wind up with clumps.

Put a small amount of water in a bowl and add a tablespoon of whatever thickener you decide to use. Then mix it with a whisk. Once it’s thoroughly mixed, slowly stir it into the chili.

How Do You Tone Down Chili That’s Too Spicy?

It’s easy to get carried away with chili powder. When that happens, add more of the other ingredients, like another can of tomatoes or seasoning blend. You can also add sour cream to each person’s bowl to tone down the heat and for additional flavor.

More Chili Recipes

Chili Con Carne – If you like the turkey chili, you’ll probably also like this one that I make in a slow cooker.

3-Ingredient Ro-Tel Chili – When you’re in the mood for chili, but you have very little time, make this one. It’s my go-to recipe when I’m in a hurry. And it’s absolutely delicious!

Creamy White Chicken Chili – Here’s another quick and easy chili that my family loves. It’s made with all white (or off-white ingredients) to give it a different look. But it still has the same kick we enjoy.

Black and White Chili with Chicken – Using a combo of black and white beans, you’ll get a wonderful flavor sensation in this different kind of chili. Give it a try! It’s really good!

Try These Desserts

After you enjoy your delicious Instant Pot turkey chili, it’s nice to have something sweet. Check out this pineapple upside down cake or my mug cake recipe. If you prefer cookies, you’ll like these flourless peanut butter cookies.

More Super Easy but Delicious Desserts

My family has always enjoyed dessert, especially after a spicy meal. Here are more of our favorite super quick desserts:

Peanut Butter Marshmallow Bars – Peanut butter lovers will love this dessert, and you’ll love the fact that they’re no-bake bars!

Microwave Scotcheroos – Here’s another delicious peanut butter treat that has just the right amount of chocolate. How many ways can you say, “Yum”?

Chocolate Covered Pecans – When you need a dessert that doesn’t require a fork or spoon, make this delightful treat!

Lemon Bars – It only takes 3 ingredients to make these bars with the perfect blend of sweet and tart flavors!

Yield: 6 servings

Instant Pot Turkey Chili

Chili topped with cheese and a side of chips
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 pound of ground turkey
  • 1 cup of chopped onions
  • 1 15-ounce can of tomato sauce
  • 1 15-ounce can of diced tomatoes
  • 1 large can of chili beans
  • 2 tablespoons of chili powder (or more if you like it extra spicy)
  • 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon of four, cornmeal, or cornstarch (optional for thickening the broth)
  • 1/2 cup of water

Instructions

  1. Set your Instant Pot, Crock Pot Express, or other multi-functional cooker to sauté. 
  2. Brown the ground turkey, breaking it apart as it cooks. If you have extra grease, drain it and return the turkey to the pot.
  3. Add the seasoning mix and sauté until the onions are translucent. Turn off the sauté setting.
  4. Pour the remaining ingredients into the pot.
  5. Put the lid on the pot, seal the vent, and press the “soup” or “chili” setting.
  6. After it finishes cooking, allow the pressure to release naturally for about 10 minutes. Then you can do a quick release.
  7. Carefully lift the lid. If you need to thicken it, mix a tablespoon of flour, cornmeal, or cornstarch with 1/2 cup of water. Slowly stir it into the chili.

Notes

Top your chili with cheese and serve with chips or cornbread.

Nutrition Information

Yield

6

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 656Total Fat 18gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 11gCholesterol 80mgSodium 12928mgCarbohydrates 100gFiber 14gSugar 7gProtein 30g

The nutrition information is a product of online calculators. I try to provide true and accurate information, but these numbers are estimates.

Did you make this recipe?

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Please feel free to share!

Kevin Varner

Wednesday 3rd of March 2021

Does this recipe really have 12,928 mg of sodium? If so, goodness gracious.

southernhomeexpress

Wednesday 3rd of March 2021

Hi Kevin. The online nutrition counter "thought" the frozen seasoning mix was one loaded with sodium. So I fixed it. Now it's more accurate. Thank you so much for pointing that out!

Marilyn Lesniak

Sunday 22nd of September 2019

Thank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. Pinned and shared. Have a lovely week. I hope to see you at next week’s party too!

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