Have you ever had chili con carne? It’s super flavorful beef chili with no beans! And while I love a slow cooker chili with beans, sometimes you just want something quicker and different. So today I’m going to share with you an easy recipe for chili con carne – made in an Instant Pot or Crockpot.

My husband first introduced me to chili con carne when we went on a trip to Phoenix and Scottsdale a few years ago. I had never even heard of it. He explained that chili con carne literally means ‘chili with meat’ and that he loved it from all his travels to the South West.

Then, last year, the weather started to get cooler, fall was in the air. I had a late work meeting (it was a full weekend meeting) and he was home with Ben. He decided his project for the day was that he was going to make chili con carne.

He spent all day going to different stores and buying special peppers and making the recipe. I’ll never forget – he sent me a video (a gif I think it was) of a giant dutch oven, filled to the brim with chili con carne and it was bubbling over. 

I got home, and it still wasn’t done (it had been cooking for hours at this point!). He said the finishing step was to add FISH SAUCE! And not just like a little drop or two. Nope, 4 tablespoons! I said ok, but that’s going to be a very powerful flavor. He’s all about following directions and was really into making this, so I just let him have at it. 

Well…guess what? It was HORRIBLE lol. We still joke about it to this day. The entire house smelled like fish and I think he even got sick from eating it lol.

This chili con carne I’m going to share with you? It’s super easy and flavorful and I have a feeling you’re going to be making this all fall and winter long! I’ve made this recipe in an Instant Pot (pressure cooker) when I was short on time, and also a slow cooker – either work! Also, you could make it stovetop, but it just lacks that low and slow fall apart meat feel.

I use a jar of chipotle salsa for an extra shortcut/time savor, but I’ll share in the recipe how you can use the same ingredients (minced canned chipotle chile in adobo sauce, diced tomatoes, jalapeno and garlic cloves if you don’t have the salsa).

To give this recipe the final perfect touch, you add a little bit of cornmeal into the soup to thicken it up. While you’re at it, you should make a batch of easy sweet potato cornbread muffins or slightly sweet skillet cornbread to accompany this easy chili con carne!

Yield: 4 servings

Easy Chili Con Carne - made in an Instant Pot or Crockpot

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Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2.25 lbs boneless beef chuck roast, cut into 1 inch cubes
• salt and pepper
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 (16oz) chipotle salsa (OR - 1 (14.5oz) can diced tomatoes, 2 teaspoons minced canned chipotle chile, 4 garlic cloves and 1 jalapeno)
• 3 cups water (or beef broth)
• 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornmeal
• Optional toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, avocado slices, red onions, lime slices

Instructions

Instant Pot Instructions

1. Combine olive oil, beef and onions in an Instant Pot and saute for 5 minutes.
2. Add in cumin, oregano and a pinch of salt and pepper (or more to taste).
3. Pour in salsa (or make salsa with ingredients in a food processor) and water and brown sugar.
4. Seal Instant Pot and set for 25 minutes.
5. When done cooking, let steam naturally release.
6. Ladle out one cup of liquid, stir in corn meal and stir and return liquid to Instant Pot.
7. Divide between four bowls and add toppings and enjoy!

Slow Cooker Instructions

1. Combine olive oil, beef and onions in a pan and saute for 5 minutes.
2. In a slow cooker add in meat and onions, then add in cumin, oregano and a pinch of salt and pepper (or more to taste).
3. Pour in salsa (or make salsa with ingredients in a food processor) and water and brown sugar.
4. Set slow cooker for 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low.
5. Ladle out one cup of liquid, stir in corn meal and stir and return liquid to slow cooker.
6. Divide between four bowls and add toppings and enjoy!