I know that there are many chili recipes out there claiming to be the best... but this Instant Pot Chili (no beans) recipe with sausage truly goes above and beyond in flavor thanks to a key ingredient often missing in other chili recipes! And not only is this a pressure cooker recipe, but we've included crockpot chili instructions as well. It's a no beans and no fuss WHOLE LOTTA YUM chili that is sure to please.
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Instant Pot No Bean Chili
There are so many ways to make chili it can make any home chef's head spin trying to sort them all out. We've tried a plethora of chili versions of the years, but we always come back to this no bean chili recipe that is hearty, flavorful, and a family favorite thanks to a key ingredient!
Once you realize other instant pot chili recipes are all missing this key ingredient you didn’t even know should be in chili, you’ll never go back to basic chili again.
The secret ingredient in this recipe, my friends, is the kielbasa sausage and also swapping mushrooms for beans to make this a fantastic chili without beans. Having classic chili with ground beef or even ground turkey just cannot be compared when you add in a little kielbasa.
Trust me, it’s mind-blowing!
You, of course, don't need a a pressure cooker to make this Instant Pot chili (no beans) recipe. While pressure cooking is our favorite preparation method, we are including stovetop and crockpot directions as well!
Why You'll Love This!
- Our chili may taste like it simmered all day but you can make a batch of this Instant Pot chili (no beans) in just 30-minutes!
- You won't be missing the beans when you make this Instant pot no bean chili! With beef, kielbasa, onions, peppers, and mushrooms each spoonful is bursting with this hearty chili.
- Seasoned with a mix of cayenne, oregano, chili powder, and bay leaves, our instant pot keto chili is expertly seasoned to deliver you just the right amount of spice in each and every bite.
- This hearty beanless chili is low-carb, keto, gluten-free, sugar-free, and dairy-free. It can easily be made to accommodate a paleo eating plan as well (see adaptations below).
If you love this Instant Pot chili (no beans) recipe as much as we do, then be sure to check out our other chili recipes including white chicken chili, crockpot kielbasa chili, and white chicken chili Instant Pot recipe.
On Keto? Grab our FREE keto foods list here OR Snag our Keto Binder HERE
Ingredient Notes
- lean ground beef
- Kielbasa sausage (use a brand without fillers or added sugar to keep it keto and paleo)- sliced in half and then slice each section into ½" pieces. We used Hemplers brand.
- olive oil
- chopped sweet onion
- chopped green pepper
- cloves garlic, minced
- mushrooms, quartered
- diced tomatoes in juice (no sugar added)
- tomato sauce (no sugar added)
- dried bay leaves
- salt
- ground pepper
- cayenne pepper
- chili powder
- dried oregano
- Garnishes (optional)- sour cream, crumbled cheese crisps, shredded cheese, cilantro, or avocado
Variations
- Ground Beef - Ground chicken or ground turkey can be used in place of the ground beef.
Equipment
A Pressure Cooker - This is the Instant Pot model that we used.
Dietary Adaptations
- Paleo - To make your Instant Pot chili recipe no beans compliant with a paleo lifestyle, substitute the olive oil for coconut oil and make sure your canned tomatoes do not have added sugar.
- Low-Carb/Keto - To ensure your no bean chili is low-carb and keto-friendly, be sure your diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and any optional garnishes you choose are compatible.
Step by Step Instructions
If you've never had no bean chili before, you're in for quite a surprise. Simply follow along with our easy step by step instructions and be ready to taste the best pressure cooker chili without beans!
Prep
Dice the onion and pepper.
Mince the garlic.
Chop the mushrooms into quarters.
Slice the kielbasa.
Assemble
Turn your Instant Pot was to sauté high, add 1 T olive oil and cook the ground beef and kielbasa until the ground beef is cooked through.
Add the remaining ingredients, which include the diced green pepper, diced onion, quartered mushrooms, minced garlic, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, bay leaves, salt, pepper, chili powder, oregano, and cayenne pepper.
Mix all ingredients together and place the lid on your Instant Pot.
Pressure Cook
Set your instant pot to manual (or pressure cook, depending on your model) for 20 minutes.
Once done, do a natural release for 10 minutes and then a quick release before opening the pot.
Remove the bay leaves before serving, add optional garnishes and enjoy!
To make a crockpot version of our chili without beans:
- Saute the ground beef (or ground turkey) until it's cooked. Drain the grease. Add the meat to the slow cooker.
- Cut the kielbasa into ½″ slices and then cut each slice again in half. Cook until the sausage is lightly browned, drain the grease, and put the sausage into the slow cooker.
- Add the remaining ingredients and mix gently with a spoon until combined.
- Cook on low in a crockpot for 8 hours or until done.
- Be sure to remove the bay leaves before serving.
To make a stovetop version of our beanless chili:
- Saute the ground beef (or turkey) until cooked through, drain, and set aside.
- Cut the kielbasa into ½″ slices and then cut each slice again in half. Cook until the sausage, onions, and green onion until lightly browned.
- Add the garlic and cook for 2 more minutes.
- Add the ground beef and sausage back to the pin along with the remaining ingredients. Stir until combined.
- Simmer uncovered on low for 1 hour.
Chili No Beans Recipe Tips
- For our Instant Pot chili no beans recipe we are not draining the beef or kielbasa after cooking. Instead, we are keeping the dripping right in the pot to help flavor the entire dish.
- Between the ground beef, kielbasa, and tomato sauce there should be enough liquid in your Instant Pot. However, if you get a burn notice, or think the liquid looks too low, you can add ½ cup of chicken broth.
- The 10-minute natural release helps to keep the moisture in your pressure cooker - it's worth the wait for the best keto chili without beans!
Common Questions
How Long Does Leftover Instant Pot Chili No Beans Last?
You can store any leftover pressure cooker chili you have in the fridge for up to four days.
What To Serve With Instant Pot No Bean Chili?
While this hearty chili is a complete meal all by itself, feel free to include sides that work with your eating plan. Common chili companions include salad, bread or rolls, and tortilla chips.
Can I Freeze This Instant Pot Keto Chili?
Yes, you can freeze this chili! Store your cooked chili in the freezer for up to 3 months.
This recipe was an instant pot adaption and keto version of the Hearty Logger's Chili with Sausage featured in the Simply Classic Cookbook. (Our favorite cookbook!)
More Chili Recipes You'll Love!
- White Chicken Chili
- Crockpot Turkey and Kielbasa Chili
- White Chicken Chili Instant Pot Recipe
- Keto Chili Recipe No Beans
Please leave a review if you make our recipe! We love feedback from readers, plus it helps others too.
Come connect with us on Instagram! Be sure to tag us (wholelotta.yum) when you make a recipe. You can also find us on Facebook, and Pinterest.
Instant Pot Chili No Beans
Yield: 8 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
A quick instant pot chili without beans that includes hearty kielbasa sausage and mushrooms. This easy recipe is also low carb, gluten-free, paleo, and a keto chili recipe too. Slow cooker instructions are also included.
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 12 oz kielbasa sausage
- ½ cup yellow onion, diced
- 1 green pepper, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups white or cremini mushrooms, quartered
- 15 oz diced tomatoes in juice (no sugar added)
- 15 oz tomato sauce (no sugar added)
- 2 dry bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- garnishes (optional)- sour cream, shredded cheese, avocado, cilantro, crumbled cheese crisps
Instructions
- Turn instant pot to high, add 1 T of olive oil and cook the ground beef kielbasa until the ground beef is cooked through (about 5-6 minutes).
- Add the remaining ingredients, which include the diced green pepper, diced onion, quartered mushrooms, minced garlic, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, bay leaves, salt, pepper, chili powder, oregano, and cayenne pepper.
- Mix all ingredients together
- Pressure cook on high for 20 minutes, some models might call this manual.
- Once done, do a natural release for 10 minutes and then a quick release before opening the pot
- Remove the bay leaves before serving, add optional garnishes and enjoy!
Crockpot Directions:
- Saute the ground beef (or ground turkey) until it's cooked. Drain the grease. Add the meat to the slow cooker.
- Cut the kielbasa into ½″ slices and then cut each slice again in half. Cook until the sausage is lightly browned, drain the grease, and put the sausage into the slow cooker.
- Add the remaining ingredients and mix gently with a spoon until combined.
- Cook on low in a crockpot for 8 hours or until done.
- Be sure to remove the bay leaves before serving.
Notes
Ground turkey or ground chicken can be swapped for the ground beef
To keep the recipe keto-friendly, check the labels and buy canned goods like tomatoes without sugar and buy kielbasa low in carbs.
For a variation with beans, swap the mushrooms for one can of kidney beans, rinsed and drained.
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Nutrition Information
Yield 8Serving Size 1
Amount Per ServingCalories 388Total Fat 25gSaturated Fat 8gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 14gCholesterol 86mgSodium 1184mgCarbohydrates 10gNet Carbohydrates 7gFiber 3gSugar Alcohols 0gProtein 25g
The nutritional data is an estimate based on the exact ingredient brands and calculator we used. If you're on a restricted health program, be sure to manuall calculate this information yourself.
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