Skip to content
Visit my other site: Another Cocktail Blog!
Simply Whisked
  • Home
  • About
  • RecipesExpand
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
    • Mains
    • Salads
    • Sandwiches
    • Sauces & Condiments
    • Sides
    • Soups
  • Resources
Facebook Instagram Pinterest TikTok YouTube
Visit my other site: Another Cocktail Blog!
Instagram TikTok YouTube
Simply Whisked
Home / Soups / Quick and Easy Beer Chili

Quick and Easy Beer Chili

This recipe is: dairy free

This easy beer chili recipe is made with hearty beef seasoned with a blend of spices and simmered with tomatoes, beans and pumpkin beer. It’s perfect for game day meal or a quick weeknight dinner. Either way, you’ll love it.

Jump to Recipe
A bowl of beer chili with beans and tomatoes, garnished with chopped fresh parsley.

Why I love this beer chili recipe

Judging by the fact that it might hit 90 degrees this weekend – something it didn’t do all summer here – I don’t think fall is as officially here as we might like. But, can we just pretend for a minute, because I’m in desperate need of some cooler weather. Especially with this baby bump getting so big.

Either way, I have a quick and easy beer chili recipe for you that will get you through fall and into winter. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal, but it’s also football party quality. It’s not too spicy, either, making it perfect for crowds, but that can totally be adjusted if you want to kick things up a notch.

Other dairy free chili recipes: slow cooker white chicken chili | sweet potato lentil chili | buffalo chicken chili | Cincinnati chili / white turkey chili

Close up of chili with beans.

This post contains affiliate links. I may earn commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. I will never recommend a product I don’t use or trust.

Newsletter Signup
25 recipes to FALL for this season

Get ready to fall in love with chilly weather and shorter days with fresh new recipes for autumn!

Here’s what you’ll need to make beer chili:

  • Dutch oven
  • Chef’s knife
  • Cutting board
  • Measuring cups and measuring spoons
  • Meat chopper

So, what beer goes best with chili?

As far as beer goes, you can use whatever you want. We happened to have a  pumpkin beer in our fridge so that’s what I used. I think a dark beer like a stout or a brown ale would work really well in here, too, but you have to be careful to get a beer that is dairy free and/or vegan friendly (if you need it).

You could use a light style beer and it will work just fine. I’ve definitely done it in the past, but I would recommend using a full bodied beer if you have the choice. They just add so much more flavor and complexity to the chili.

A bowl of quick and easy beer chili.

How to make chili with beer

Prep your ingredients. To make this beer chili super easy, I opted out of chopping too many veggies. Normally, I tend to think chili needs bell pepper for flavor, but I only chopped one sweet onion for this one. I also used pre-minced garlic to save you some time. Just make sure your jar is fresh, or you’ll be missing out on flavor. Of course, you can still use fresh, and I’ve included the amount in the recipe, just in case.

Cook your onions and garlic. Heat a large pot (Dutch oven, stock pot or even a nice, deep skillet) to medium high. Add olive oil, garlic and onions to the pot and sauté them until the onions are translucent. Stir frequently to prevent them from burning.

Brown you beef. Add your ground beef to the pan and brown it. Use a meat chopper or spatula to break the meat into smaller pieces as it cooks. When it’s no longer pink, add your seasoning and cook until fragrant.

Simmer the chili. Add the rest of your ingredients and bring your pot to a boil. Reduce the heat and let everything simmer about 15 – 20 minutes. Adjust the seasoning with salt & pepper to taste before serving.

A bowl of beer chili, with chopped fresh parsley.

Everything you need to know about making beer chili

What does adding beer to chili do?

Beer is used in chili as a substitute for water, and it adds flavor and acidity to the chili. Different beer will provide different flavor in your chili, so you use one that you would like to drink.

What beans work best in chili?

Normally, kidney beans work best in chili, but I love a combination of beans in my chili. This recipe uses black beans and kidney beans, but you can use chili beans (rinse the sauce), navy beans, or even pinto beans. They are all very interchangeable when it comes to chili, and you can’t go wrong with one versus another.

How long does it take for beer to cook off in chili?

To completely cook off the alcohol in your chili, you’ll need to simmer it for a long time. However, the chili will be safe to eat within the amount of time listed in the recipe. You can also use a NA beer if needed, but if you are abstaining from alcohol, this is probably not the best choice for you.

Beer chili topped with vegan cheddar shreds.

More chili recipes

  • Buffalo chicken chili
  • White turkey chili
  • Chili spaghetti
  • Skyline chili dip

More recipes with beer

  • Instant Pot beer braised short ribs
  • Pumpkin beer cheese soup
  • Beer battered onion straws
  • Dairy free clam chowder
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Quick and Easy Beer Chili

★★★★★

4.3 from 6 reviews

Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

This easy beer chili recipe is made with hearty beef seasoned with a blend of spices and simmered with tomatoes, beans and pumpkin beer. It’s perfect for game day meal or a quick weeknight dinner. Either way, you’ll love it.

  • Author: Melissa Belanger
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 sweet onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 teaspoons coarse salt, divided
  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 5 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 28-ounce can petite diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 cup pumpkin beer
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

Instructions

  1. In a Dutch oven or large stockpot, heat olive oil to medium-high. Add onion, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Sauté, stirring frequently, until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add ground beef and continue cooking, breaking meat into pieces as it browns. Add spices and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  3. Add remaining ingredients and cook bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 – 20 minutes.
YouTube video
  • Category: Soups
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 252
  • Sugar: 5.4 g
  • Sodium: 849.1 mg
  • Fat: 6.1 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 25.7 g
  • Fiber: 7.9 g
  • Protein: 23.8 g
  • Cholesterol: 45.2 mg

Keywords: beer chili, beer chili recipe, chili with beer, chili recipe with beer, easy chili recipe, chili with beans

Did you make one of our recipes? Tag us on Instagram @simplywhisked #simplywhisked. We would love to see it.

Published: September 21, 2022. Updated: September 21, 2022.

This post contains affiliate links. I may earn commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. I will never recommend a product I don’t use or trust.

Post navigation

Previous Previous
Pumpkin Pasta with Italian Sausage
NextContinue
Creamy Corn Pasta
Melissa from Simply Whisked
Hi! I'm Melissa.

I'm so happy you're here!

I create dairy free recipes with simple ingredients because I know how hard living dairy free can be. I believe you can live a completely satisfying life without dairy, and I want to teach you how.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ME
FREE EMAIL SERIES!

25 recipes to FALL for this season

Get ready to fall in love with chilly weather and shorter days with fresh new recipes for autumn!

    dairy freeegg freegluten freenut freevegan

    Recipe key indicates that a recipe is free from allergens or offers alternative ways to make the recipe that is safe for the listed allergens or dietary restrictions. Always double check labels on purchased products to ensure they are safe to consume.

    DISCLAIMER: As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no added cost to you. Affiliate links will be noted as such, and I will never recommend a product that I don’t use and trust.

    TOP 10 RECIPES
    1. Baked hamburgers
    2. Dairy free pancakes
    3. Peanut chicken wraps
    4. Homemade stir fry sauce
    5. Baked stuffed pork chops
    6. Maple glazed salmon
    7. Fish cakes
    8. Dairy free alfredo sauce
    9. Dijon vinaigrette
    10. Ahi tuna poke

    25 recipes to FALL for this season

    Get ready to fall in love with chilly weather and shorter days with fresh new recipes for autumn!

      Dairy free resources:
      • Are eggs dairy free?
      • Dairy free butter substitutes
      • Hidden sources of dairy
      • Must have kitchen tools
      Reader favorites:
      • Baked hamburgers
      • Homemade stir fry sauce
      • Dairy free pancakes
      • Vegan alfredo sauce
      Visit our sister sites:
      • Another Cocktail Blog
      • The Pasta Twins
      • Sparkle Recipe Co.
      • Marc Learns to Cook
      • FAQ
      • Contact
      • Privacy
      Facebook Instagram Pinterest TikTok YouTube

      © 2023 Simply Whisked

      FREE EMAIL BONUS!

      25 recipes to FALL for this season.

      Get ready to fall in love with chilly weather and shorter days with some fresh new recipes!

      • Home
      • About
      • Recipes
        • Appetizers
        • Beverages
        • Breakfast
        • Desserts
        • Mains
        • Salads
        • Sandwiches
        • Sauces & Condiments
        • Sides
        • Soups
      • Resources
      Search