The Best Beer Chili Recipe

Introduction

This beer chili recipe is a hearty, flavorful dish perfect for cozy evenings or game day. Combining rich spices with dark beer and tender beans, it offers a satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare and sure to please a crowd.

Ingredients

• 1.5 pounds ground beef
• 11.2 ounce bottle dark beer (or beer of your choice, such as Guinness)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup yellow onions, diced
• 15 ounce can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 15 ounce can white kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes (or diced)
• 2 large cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons ground cumin
• 1 – 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon chipotle chili powder
• 1 tablespoon organic brown sugar
• Your choice of toppings (optional, such as sour cream, shredded cheese, diced red onions, sliced jalapeños, green onions)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onions and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
2. Step 2: Add the ground beef and minced garlic to the pot. Cook, breaking up the meat, until it is no longer pink.
3. Step 3: Stir in the ground cumin, chili powder, chipotle chili powder, crushed tomatoes, red kidney beans, and white kidney beans.
4. Step 4: Pour in the beer and add the brown sugar. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
5. Step 5: Cover the pot and let the chili simmer gently for 1 to 1.5 hours, allowing the flavors to meld together.
6. Step 6: Serve hot, garnished with your favorite toppings like sour cream, shredded cheese, diced red onions, sliced jalapeños, and green onions.

Tips & Variations

• Use a smoky or spicy beer for a different flavor profile, or substitute with a non-alcoholic beer if preferred.
• For a vegetarian version, replace ground beef with mushrooms or plant-based crumbles and use vegetable broth instead of beer.
• Adjust chili powder amounts to match your spice tolerance, starting with less and adding more if desired.
• Add a splash of lime juice or a handful of chopped fresh cilantro before serving for a bright finish.

Storage

Store leftover chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to ensure even warming. This chili also freezes well for up to 3 months—thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of meat in this chili?

Yes, you can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or pork depending on your preference. Cooking times may vary slightly depending on the meat used.

Is it necessary to use beer in this recipe?

Beer adds depth and richness to the chili, but if you prefer not to use alcohol, you can substitute it with beef broth or a non-alcoholic beer alternative.

The Best Beer Chili Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 71 reviews

This hearty Beer Chili recipe features tender ground beef simmered in a rich blend of dark beer, tomatoes, beans, and spicy seasonings. Perfect for a cozy dinner, it offers layers of smoky, savory, and slightly sweet flavors with optional toppings to customize your bowl.

• Author: Mia
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 to 1.5 hours
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Oils

• 1.5 pounds ground beef
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Vegetables and Aromatics

• 1 cup yellow onions, diced
• 2 large cloves garlic, minced

Beans

• 15 ounce can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 15 ounce can white kidney beans, drained and rinsed

Tomatoes and Liquids

• 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes (or diced)
• 11.2 ounce bottle dark beer (or beer of your choice – Guinness recommended)

Spices and Seasonings

• 2 tablespoons ground cumin
• 1 – 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon chipotle chili powder
• 1 tablespoon organic brown sugar

Optional Toppings

• Sour cream
• Shredded cheese
• Diced red onions
• Sliced jalapeños
• Green onions

Instructions

1. Heat the oil and sauté onions: Warm the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced yellow onions and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until they become soft and translucent.
2. Cook the beef and garlic: Add the ground beef and minced garlic to the pot. Cook, breaking up the beef, until the meat is no longer pink and fully browned.
3. Add spices, tomatoes, and beans: Stir in ground cumin, chili powder, chipotle chili powder, crushed tomatoes, and both red and white kidney beans. Mix everything evenly.
4. Incorporate beer and brown sugar: Pour in the dark beer and sprinkle in the brown sugar. Stir well to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
5. Simmer the chili: Cover the Dutch oven with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Let the chili simmer gently for 1 to 1.5 hours to develop deep flavors.
6. Serve with toppings: Ladle the chili into bowls and garnish with your favorite toppings like sour cream, shredded cheese, diced red onions, sliced jalapeños, and green onions for added flavor and texture.

Notes

• You can substitute the dark beer with any beer of your choice, though darker beers like stout or porter provide a richer flavor.
• Adjust chili powder quantities to suit your preferred spice level.
• For a thicker chili, allow it to simmer uncovered for the last 15 minutes.
• If you want it spicier, add extra chipotle chili powder or fresh jalapeños.
• This chili tastes even better the next day as flavors continue to meld.

Keywords: beer chili recipe, ground beef chili, dark beer chili, spicy chili, hearty chili, easy chili recipe