Ninja Foodi Chili - Spicy or Mild Chili Recipe (2024)

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Mild chili recipe using ingredients in your pantry and fridge right now! Instructions for your Crockpot, stovetop, or Ninja Foodi pressure cooker so dinner is perfect.

Who doesn’t love a hearty mild chili recipe you can spice up in separate bowls for those daring to go the distance??! 😉 We do!! I think we probably make this easy Ninja Foodi recipe for dinner about once a week. (originally published 5/19, affiliate links present)

Homemade chili topped with cheddar cheese and sour cream, inside potatoes or spooned on top of a bed of rice is our favorite easy dinner.

Let me share where our whole chili journey began….

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Ninja Foodi Chili

If you too are obsessed with your Ninja Foodi pressure cooker air fryer machine, here are a few resource to start with:

  1. You can bookmark our Ninja air fryer recipes page, we add to that weekly.
    1. Here’s a printable air fryer cooking times chart here for your fridge.
    2. Be sure to save this link to Instant Pot recipes for beginners too. You can use any of those in your pot too.
  1. Grab a set of wooden utensils to work with. They are great so your pot doesn’t get scratched!
  2. Then join our Ninja Foodi EASY Recipes – Facebook group where you can share and find more ideas you’ll love. Thousands of others share both pressure cooker and air fryer recipe ideas there daily and you can too!

If you need to know how to cook frozen meat in a pressure cooker, we have information on that. NO, you aren’t the only forgetful one. 😉

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  • When I first started blogging way back in 2012 I made this 5 ingredient crock pot chili recipe that was a huge hit!

Mild chili recipe

Still to this day I use that as a base and tweak things from there. Like this one I found in the Mealthy cookbook here.

I used their spices, minus the chili powder, and added things like the can of diced tomatoes we always like to make it a bit chunkier.

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That’s the thing with recipes. You can make all of them your own. Most of the time when you’re searching for something to make, you don’t have to make it exactly as stated, I never do. My mom hates onions with a passion so she’d always omit those, where I think they’re necessary in everything!

  • The same goes with our slow cooker chili recipe with Manwich that you can make as spicy or mild as you want.
  1. Precook your ground beef or sausage and drain

Can you put raw ground beef in a slow cooker?

I prefer to brown my meat before adding it in with your other ingredients.I have made Crockpot ground beef before, but you have to wait for it to be done first, then add rest of ingredients.

  1. Add all other ingredients – Once everything is in there give it a good stir so everything melds together while it’s cooking.

Do you add water to chili?

It depends on the recipe but you will need liquid. I’d opt for beef broth vs. water for way more flavor. Then close your lid.

Set your time – I recommend using low for all crockpot recipes. The whole point of a slow cooker is to cook everything SLOOOOoooooW so don’t rush it. The flavor will be better the longer it’s in there.

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Chili in Ninja Foodi

How to make Instant Pot chili?

First off this is my method of choice! Whether you have an Instant Pot, Crockpot Express, Power Pressure Cooker XL, or Mealthy it’s just the way to go.

  • If you have a Ninja Foodi you can go an extra step with their air crisp lid and even make this Ninja Foodi chili mac version!

This is how quick and easy it is:

  1. Turn your pot to saute and add your olive oil, meat and onions (bell peppers could be added too). Cook until meat is no longer pink. Then turn off.
  2. Add all other ingredients and stir.
  3. Close your pressure cooker lid and steam valve.
  4. Set to high pressure for 10 minutes.
  5. Quick release and done!

Remember to top with cheese, sour cream chives and more!

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What can I add to chili for flavor?

We have quite a few spices in the recipe card below but here are a few more to try:

  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Seasoned salt like Lawry’s
  • Chili seasoning mix
  • Pepper
  • Chili powder and cayenne pepper can be added for heat
    • If you’re making this mild chili recipe but 1 person in your house likes it spicy just add a bit in their bowl only so everyone is happy.

Some have been known to add a bit of honey or dry sherry to the mix too to make it sweet! Others use carbonated soda instead of water or broth to thin it out.

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How can you thicken chili?

  • You can add a few tablespoons of cornmeal or polenta!

Ninja Foodi Chili Recipe

  1. Meat
    1. I like 1/2 lb. ground sausage and 1/2 lb. ground beef
    2. Could use ground turkey

Chopped onions and bell peppers are optional but nice for texture and more flavor.

  1. Olive oil
  2. Can of diced tomatoes
  3. Can of black beans
    1. Sometimes I add a can of kidney beans too
  4. Beef broth
  5. Can of tomato sauce
  6. Garlic, minced
  7. Cumin
  8. Salt
  9. Garlic salt

Paprika and oregano are nice add ins as well.

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I have a printable recipe for chili in Ninja Foodi below but here is a quick step by step so you can read just how easy this is to throw together. I call this 5 ingredient pressure cooker chili.

  1. First you’re going to turn your machine to saute and add your olive oil.
  2. Add your ground beef or turkey and brown with your diced onions and bell peppers if you’re adding those too.
  3. You just want to cook until the outsides are no longer pink, you don’t need it completely cooked thru.
  4. Then turn your pot off to give it a few minutes to cool off. Deglaze by gently scraping any stuck on food off the bottom of your pot.
  5. Now dump in all your other ingredients and stir contents together.

Set to high pressure cook for 10 minutes with a quick release of your steam when time is up. Stir and serve topped with shredded sharp cheese, some green onions, others like raw onions or just as is.

If you wanted to make it spicy you could add some Sriracha or chili powder.

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What do you eat with chili?

We serve it on top of these two things:

  • Baked potatoes in the air fryer are so good with this spooned inside.
  • Ninja Foodi rice is killer and so cheap too.

Best sides to serve on chili night

  1. Shredded cheddar cheese
  2. Sour cream
    1. Or add a bit into the mix at the end to make it creamy!
  3. Diced chives

Tortilla chips – these are the best for scooping

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What if you want to make stovetop chili?

NO Problem!!

  • Just use a large pot or dutch oven on the stove, set to medium high heat and add meat, onions, and olive oil.
  • Once that is browned add all other ingredients, stir, and reduce heat to low.
  • Cover pot and allow to cook for at least 10 minutes stirring intermittently so it doesn’t get overheated on the bottom.
  • 20 minutes on very low heat is ideal for the flavors to really become enhanced.
  • Then serve!!

I actually add 1/4 tsp. of chili powder to this good chili recipe myself. It still stays mild in my opinion but adds a bit of wow.

If you are very sensitive to all spices then omit completely. Then make chili stuffed peppers or 3 bean chili and enjoy!!

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Ninja Foodi Chili - Spicy or Mild Chili Recipe (11)

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5 from 3 votes

Ninja Foodi Chili

Mild chili recipe using ingredients in your pantry and fridge right now! Instructions for your Crockpot, stovetop, or Ninja Foodi chili so dinner is perfect.

Course Entree, Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword bean, chili, ground beef, ground sausage, mild

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Calories 341kcal

Author The Typical Mom

Ingredients

Instructions

  • If using a pressure cooker set to saute and add olive oil, diced onions, and meat. Cook until no longer pink. Turn pot off. If using stovetop do this in a pot on med. heat. Slow cooker method needs meat precooked so use a skillet and then put cooked meat into your Crockpot.

  • Add all other ingredients into your pot and stir. On a pressure cooker close lid and steam valve. Set to pressure cook, high, for 10 minutes. Then do a quick release. If on stovetop put on low with lid ajar and allow to simmer for 10-15 min. stirring intermittently so it doesn't burn on bottom.

  • The slower and longer it cooks the more the flavors will be enhanced. So, using your slow cooker is a great method. Just add cooked meat and all other ingredients, stir, and set on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. Do not cook on stovetop longer than 20 minutes on low.

  • Serve immediately topped with cheese, sour cream and chives!

Video

Nutrition Facts

Ninja Foodi Chili

Amount Per Serving (3 oz)

Calories 341Calories from Fat 189

% Daily Value*

Fat 21g32%

Saturated Fat 7g44%

Cholesterol 54mg18%

Sodium 996mg43%

Potassium 910mg26%

Carbohydrates 21g7%

Fiber 6g25%

Sugar 7g8%

Protein 20g40%

Vitamin A 620IU12%

Vitamin C 16.1mg20%

Calcium 73mg7%

Iron 4.5mg25%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Ninja Foodi Chili - Spicy or Mild Chili Recipe (12)
Ninja Foodi Chili - Spicy or Mild Chili Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do I make my chili more spicy? ›

Spicier chili: to make chili even spicier, don't remove the ribs or seeds from the jalapeño. You can also add hot sauce, cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper flakes or dice up another hot chili pepper. I recommend trying the recipe as stated and letting the flavors sit for a few hours before adding additional spice.

What adds the most flavor to chili? ›

Elevate with Extra Flavor

Elevate your chili recipe by adding an extra layer of flavor. Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight.

What is the most important spice in chili? ›

Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

What is the secret to really good chili? ›

Cook it long enough

Chili recipes need time for flavors to meld and come together, and collagen-rich meat (like chuck roast or ground beef) needs 90 minutes to two hours to fully break down and become tender. If you don't have time for a long simmer, try using a slow cooker or making it the day before.

What makes chili taste spicy? ›

Capsaicin is the main substance in chilli peppers that provides the spicy heat. It binds to receptors that detect and regulate heat (as well as being involved in the transmission and modulation of pain), hence the burning sensation that it causes in the mouth.

Why does my chili not taste like chili? ›

A low and slow cook time—at least an hour total—is key for drawing out the most flavor in a pot of chili. Yes, a quick chili is most welcome on weeknights, but it won't have quite the same results. A slow cooker works wonders, but if you're short on time, try a pressure cooker.

What liquid is best for chili? ›

I like to use ale, but beef broth is popular. The truth is, there's so much going on in a typical chili, the liquid plays (or should play) a minor role in flavor. Major flavor players are the meat, cumin, dried chiles, hot chiles, onions, garlic, salt, oregano and sometimes cocoa. Water is fine.

Does sugar make chili taste better? ›

Now for the piece de resistance: 1-2 heaping Tablespoons brown sugar. The chili tastes completely different without the brown sugar so if you like a subtle sweetness in your chili then you've just got to go for it! Trust me, it will not make your chili taste like candy.

Does chili need tomato paste? ›

Tomato paste is a great way to add bonus tomato flavor, and thickness, to a chili recipe. To get the best flavor it needs to be browned. Add a couple tablespoons (or a whole can if you want a thicker soup base) directly to the pan after cooking the meat and onions.

What makes chili taste better? ›

"Adding fresh ingredients — like diced onions, cilantro, and jalapenos — will take any canned chili to another level," Dunleavy said. "The fresh burst of flavor will brighten and elevate the chili while also adding great texture and crunch."

What compound makes chili spicy? ›

Capsaicin, the compound that gives chili peppers their heat, is added to some medical creams because of its ability to ease pain and itch.

What does cinnamon do for chili? ›

Cinnamon adds a different spice profile than chili powder or red or cayenne pepper would. It is a common savory spice in Indian food and I believe it's also used in savory dishes in Chinese cooking. It's a very versatile spice :).

What does tomato paste do for chili? ›

Mix in tomato paste: Using tomato paste as a thickening agent will give your final bowl of chili a tangy flavor. Add one can of tomato paste to your pot of chili, stirring the mixture and letting it cook on medium heat for about thirty minutes. 8.

Why do you put vinegar in chili? ›

With only about 1 tablespoon per pot added toward the end of the cooking process, the vinegar will make the flavors more vibrant without overwhelming the dish with its biting tang. Through just a splash, everything becomes a little brighter, and the chili's flavors are more balanced.

Why is my chili not hot enough? ›

Chili peppers not hot enough for you may just be the wrong kind. Some chilies are quite mild such as bells, pepperoncini, and paprika, which are all low on the Scoville index. The hotter, yet common jalapeno, habanero, and ancho peppers can be mild to medium hot.

Does chili get hotter the longer you cook it? ›

From long cooking, the capsaicin could distribute throughout the food in a way that will make it more palatable, but the capsaicin content will not drastically change.

How do you perk up bland chili? ›

But some simple tips.
  1. Add garlic to that initial saute. Garlic makes everything better.
  2. Up the spices and mix it up. Heres the basic ingredients I use. Sans beans and meat. ...
  3. If the spice mixture is too hot, use chocolate or vinegar to cut it. It reduces the heat significantly and can even add a touch of flavor.
Mar 10, 2015

Does sugar make chili more spicy? ›

There are many kinds of chili. Therefore you need to know the spiciest one. When you use sugar to add the flavor over your chili sauce, you simply add more chilis and sufficient salt to sharpen the spiciness of your sauce.

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