If your Instant Pot does not have a chili button, don’t worry! You can still make delicious chili in your Instant Pot without this setting. Here are some tips for making chili without the chili button:
Use the Manual or Pressure Cook Setting
The chili button on Instant Pots is simply a preset program that automatically sets the time and pressure for chili. But you can easily replicate this manually. The typical time to cook chili under pressure is 20-30 minutes. So you can just use the Manual or Pressure Cook setting for 25 minutes on high pressure. This will give the same great results as using the preset chili button.
Adjust the Cooking Time as Needed
Cooking time can vary a bit depending on the specific ingredients in your chili recipe. The thickness of the chili and amount of meat and beans can impact total cooking time. If your chili seems too watery or the meat and beans are not fully tender after pressure cooking, you may need to simmer with the lid off for 10-15 minutes after. Check for doneness and adjust cooking time as needed in future batches.
Use Natural Release Method
The chili button is designed to use the natural release method after pressure cooking. This means allowing the pressure to come down gradually on its own, rather than doing a quick release. Letting the pressure release naturally allows the flavors to develop and meld together. To replicate this without the button, simply allow the pot to sit undisturbed after cooking until the float valve drops on its own, about 15-20 minutes typically.
Add Extra Liquid
Chili recipes made on the stovetop often don’t require much extra liquid since there is evaporation during the long simmering time. But chili made in the Instant Pot cooks much faster under pressure. So it helps to add a bit of extra liquid to the pot to prevent scorching and overly thick results. An extra 1/2 cup of water or broth usually does the trick.
Use Sautée Function First
The chili button automatically sautés the aromatics and meat first before pressure cooking. It’s a good idea to do the same process manually by using the Sauté function first to brown ground meat and soften veggies and spices. This builds great flavor. Sauté for 5-10 minutes before closing the lid to begin pressure cooking.
Adjust Seasonings After Cooking
Flavor can become diluted when cooking under pressure. So it’s important to check and adjust seasonings after cooking chili in your Instant Pot without the chili button. Taste the chili and add more spices, salt, pepper, etc. as desired once done cooking.
Let Chili Sit Before Serving
For best results, let the chili rest for 5-10 minutes after releasing pressure. This allows the flavors to settle and thicken up. The chili button is designed to factor in resting time. So be sure to let your chili sit before serving it, even without the preset program.
Use Delay Start Function
Many chili recipes benefit from longer cooking times to allow the flavors to meld. The chili button incorporates this longer cooking time. To replicate this without the button, you can use the Delay Start function to allow the flavors to develop. For example, cook on Manual setting for 25 minutes, and set the Delay Start for 2 hours later. The extra time makes a difference!
Conclusion
While the chili button provides convenience, you can absolutely make great chili in your Instant Pot without this function. Just follow the tips above to manually adjust the time, release method, liquid amount, and other factors. With a little trial and error, you’ll learn the perfect way to make chili work in your model of Instant Pot. The end result will be tender, flavorful chili!
| Tip | Details |
|---|---|
| Use the Manual or Pressure Cook Setting | Set for 20-30 minutes on high pressure as a substitute for the chili button. |
| Adjust Cooking Time | Add more time if chili is undercooked or reduce time if overcooked. |
| Natural Release Method | Allow pressure to come down gradually after cooking, about 15-20 minutes. |
| Add Extra Liquid | An extra 1/2 cup of water or broth prevents scorching. |
| Sauté First | Brown meat and soften veggies using Sauté function before pressure cooking. |
| Adjust Seasonings | Check and adjust spices, salt, etc. after cooking as flavor can dilute. |
| Let Sit Before Serving | Allow chili to rest 5-10 minutes after pressure release. |
| Use Delay Start | Program longer delay to allow flavors to develop more. |
Making chili in the Instant Pot without the designated chili button may take some experimentation. But with the right timing, liquid amounts and a few simple adjustments, you can make flavorful chili easily. Follow these tips to get tender, meaty chili using just the basic Instant Pot functions.