Slow Cooking with The Instant Pot

     So I love to cook on or with just any anything.  I haven’t dabbled in cooking underground yet but I’ll get there, it’s on my list!  So with that being said, I love my Instant Pot.  I would say I use it a lot, from making homemade broth to dinner its a real winner for me!  And I’m going to tell you why.

     So there are so many things you can do like make your own vanilla extract, yogurt, etc.  They’re on my list too, don’t you worry.  Today let’s talk about slow cooking and why I love it in the Instant Pot. 

     I am not going to lie, it took me a hot minute to figure out the slow cooking on this crazy super machine, but I think I’ve got the hang of it now!  The functions and heat settings took me a minute to get used to over a traditional Crock Pot. 

     So my first reason to love this as my slow cooking option is the sauté function.  Now I can sear my meats and get my other ingredients fragrant before setting and forgetting.  No pot or pan to wash!!! That is a huge win for me alone.  Searing is so incredibly important to having a delicious outcome.  And I can do it right in the pot that everything is going to slow cook in.   That’s mind blowing.

     Now, the other reason why I love slow cooking in the Instant Pot is that if it’s not tender enough when it’s done or it just didn’t cook enough, you can slide the vent closed and pressure cook for a few minutes and it’s all good!  Problem solved.  This thing actually comes with its own back up plan.  So even if you’re not handy in the kitchen you can do this.  I promise you that. Below I will leave my favorite classic chili recipe that I actually use in my Instant Pot at home all the time! Enjoy!

Classic Chili

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 4 stalks of celery chopped
• 1 large onion chopped
• 4 cloves of garlic roughly chopped
• 1 jalepeno minced
• 3 tbsp grated carrot
• 1 red or green bell pepper
• 2 tbsp minced parsley
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 15 ounces tomato sauce
• 1 can red kidney beans
• 3 cups beef or vegetable stock
• 3 tbsp chili power
• 2 tbsp cumin
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp olive oil

1. Start with putting the Instant Pot on sauté and letting the pot heat up. Once hot, add the olive oil. Next add the ground beef and brown.
2. Once meat is almost cooked add onion, peppers, and garlic and cook about 1-2 minutes.
3. Add red wine vinegar and scrape bottom of pot. Turn off sauté function and add all remaining ingredients. Stir to combine.
4. Place lid on and make sure vent is not sealed and place slow cook on. Set on medium for 6-8 hours roughly.