Flavor-Packed Crockpot Beer Chili Recipe – Easy Hearty Dinner

There is nothing like a warm, hearty bowl of chili to bring comfort on a cold day, and this Crockpot Beer Chili will do just that! The secret to the best-tasting chili? A splash of your favorite beer. This chili is perfect for game day, potlucks or a family dinner at home.

chili in a white bowl

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What you’ll love about this recipe


  • Flavor – Classic chili comfort with beef, beans and tomatoes plus a deep, savory flavor from a splash of beer.
  • Easy – It’s a hands-off slow cooker meal, that’s simple to prepare.
  • Versatile – Adjust the spices to your preference, and serve with your favorite toppings.
a picture of the ingredients for the beer chili in white bowls with kidney beans, ground beef, crushed tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, beer, cumin, chili powder, jalapenos, cilantro, garlic

Ingredients

  • Lean ground beef (ground turkey, pork or chicken will work too)
  • Olive oil
  • Large onion
  • Bell peppers (any color mix)
  • Garlic (fresh is best but garlic powder will work too 1/4 tsp per clove)
  • Crushed tomatoes (fresh or canned)
  • Jalapeno pepper (or 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper or skip for mild chili)
  • Chili powder
  • Ground cumin
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Beer (lager, Mexican style or pilsner)

Missing an ingredient? Find a substitute with the ingredient swap assistant!

How to Make Beer Chili Recipe in a Crockpot

  1. Prepare: chop the garlic, veggies, measure the spices and warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the ground beef to the heated skillet, reduce to medium heat and cook the beef while breaking it into small pieces.
  3. Stir in the onion and bell peppers once the beef is nearly cooked. Continue to cook until the veggies start to soften.
  4. Add the chili powder and cumin. Cook for a few minutes so that the spices blend with the meat.
  5. Transfer the beef mixture to the slow cooker and add the crushed tomatoes, beans and beef. Stir gently. Cover and cook on low for 3 1/1 hours. Note: if you prefer firm beans and are using canned, add them during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
beer chili process step 1, ground beef cooking in a cast iron pan

beer chili in a crockpot step 2  beef and veggies browning in a skillet
beer crockpot chili step 3 beef, peppers and onions cooking in a skillet with seasonings added

beer chili in a crockpot step 4 teh ingredients in a slow cooker ready to slow cook


Tips For Great Flavor


  • Lower fat: Drain excess drippings from the browned beef.
  • Build flavor: Season the beef and veggies in the skillet, then stir in tomato paste for richness, before adding liquids.
  • Smoky twist: Experiment with chili seasonings like chipotle chili powder or add a pinch of smoked paprika.
an overhead view of beef chili with jalapeno and avocado slices with cilantro on the side

Serving Suggestions

Finish your beer chili with chopped green onion, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, sour cream, Greek yogurt, tortilla chips or corn chips, sharp cheddar, pepper jack, sliced avocado, guacamole, or your favorite hot sauce. Cornbread is an easy side that never fails.

How to Store and Reheat

  • Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Thaw in the fridge overnight.
  • Reheat in a saucepan over medium-low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, or use the microwave.

Chili Rice (or Pasta) Bowl – Spoon cooked rice and leftover warmed chili into a bowl.

Quick Chili Quesadillas – Place a flour tortilla in a heated skillet, spread chili over one half, top with cheese and fold the tortilla over. Cook on each side for 3 to 5 minutes until golden.

Recipe Variations

  • Brothy – Add 1/2 cup of beef broth to the chili at the beginning of the cooking process.
  • Alcohol-free – Replace the beer with beef, chicken, or vegetable broth.
  • Spice tweaks – Add a little smoked paprika for a smoky flavor or a little bit of cinnamon slightly sweet taste. Start with a quarter teaspoon and add more to taste if needed.
  • Change up the meat – Instead of all beef, use a half pound of ground beef and a half pound of ground pork, or use ground turkey, chicken, or bison.
  • Mild heat– Use half of a jalapeno or leave it out completely.
  • Budget-friendly – Add an extra can of any variety of beans to make more portions.

Do you want more Crockpot inspiration? Check out these recipes.

a close up view of chili ina white bowl

Recipe FAQs

Can I use ground turkey instead of beef to make crockpot beer chili?

Yes! You can swap one pound of turkey for the beef to make this chili. Use one pound of ground turkey instead of beef.

Can I cook slow-cooker beer chili on high heat?

Yes! Cook the chili in your slow cooker on the high setting for 1 1/2 hours.

If you are looking for more easy and delicious ground beef recipes, check out these Healthy Ground Beef Recipes!

Try These Chili Recipes

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a close up view of chili ina white bowl

Crockpot Beer Chili Recipe

Crockpot beer chili is packed with flavor and comes together easily in a slow cooker simmering to perfection in 4 hours.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 5 hours
Total Time: 5 hours 20 minutes

Click on serving size to scale this recipe

Course: Beef Recipes
Cuisine: American/Mexican
Keyword: beer chili recipe crockpot, crockpot beer chili recipe, slow cooker beer chili
Servings: 4 to 6
Calories: 416kcal
Author: Anne Lawton

Crockpot Beer Chili Recipe

Equipment

Scale this Recipe 4 to 6

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped onions 1 medium to large onion
  • 2 bell peppers diced
  • 2 cloves garlic chopped
  • 3 cups crushed tomatoes
  • 1 jalapeno pepper chopped
  • 1/4 cup chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 3 cups kidney beans
  • 1 cup beer

Instructions

  • Prepare the ingredients: Chop the cloves of garlic, onion, peppers, and cilantro. Set them aside. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Once the skillet is hot, add the ground beef and reduce the heat to medium. Cook the beef breaking it up into pieces until it begins to turn brown.
  • Add the peppers and onions and cook for a few minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
  • Stir in the chili powder and ground cumin. Reduce the heat and cook the mixture for a few minutes longer.
  • Place the beef mixture into the crockpot and add the beans, beer and crushed tomatoes.
  • Gently stir the ingredients together, cover and cook on low for at least 4 hours.

Notes

Note if you are using canned beans, and prefer them firm, add them to the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking
Serve beer chili with your favorite chili toppings such as chopped green onions, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, Greek yogurt, corn chips, tortilla chips, sharp cheddar cheese, pepper jack cheese, sliced avocados, guacamole.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to four days in an airtight container or freeze it for up to three months. Defrost the chili in the refrigerator overnight.
Add more beans to stretch your chili out.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 416kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 450mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 10g

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and can vary based on cooking methods and ingredients used

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2 Comments

  1. Love the flavours in this chili! I will just switch out the regular beef for plant based for an easy vegan dinner!