Flavor-Packed Crockpot Beer Chili Recipe – Easy Hearty Dinner

Jump to Recipe
Crockpot beer chili is packed with flavor and comes together easily in a slow cooker simmering to perfection in 4 hours.

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

Want to Save This Recipe?

Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

Save the Recipe

By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Simple and Savory

This Crockpot Beer Chili combines classic ingredients like ground beef, beans, and spices with a unique twist—a touch of beer that enhances its rich, savory flavor. The slow-cooking method melds the flavors together, resulting in a hearty, satisfying dish perfect for warming up on chilly days. Whether you’re hosting a party or enjoying a cozy meal at home, this recipe strikes the perfect balance between simplicity and bold taste.

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



  • Lean ground beef
  • Olive oil
  • Large onion
  • Bell pepper – any combination of bell peppers will work
  • Crushed tomatoes – canned or fresh
  • Jalapeno pepper – or 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper or skip the heat
  • Red kidney beans – black beans, pinto or white beans will work too
  • Chili powder
  • Ground cumin
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Beer (lager,Mexican, or pilsner)

How to Make Beer Chili Recipe in a Crockpot

  • Chop the garlic, onions, peppers and cilantro.
  • Measure the spices and olive oil.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
ground beef cooking in a skillet

STEP 1: Once the skillet is hot, add ground beef, reduce heat to medium and brown the beef.

beef and vegetables cooking in a skillet

STEP 2: Once the beef is just about cooked through, stir in the peppers and onions. Cook for a few minutes until they begin to turn soft.

ground beef and vegetables cooking in skillet

STEP 3: Stir in the chili powder and ground cumin. Reduce the heat and cook the mixture for a few minutes longer.

beer tomatoes and beans in a crock pot for chili

STEP 4: Transfer the beef mixture to the crockpot, add beans, beer, and crushed tomatoes. Gently stir; cover and cook on low heat for 4 hours.

Helpful Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Chili

  • Lower fat: Drain excess drippings from the beef after cooking it.
  • Flavor boost: Add spices to the beef and vegetables during cooking before adding the liquid for a more robust flavor.
  • Enhance depth: Use chipotle chili powder or smoked paprika for a smoky kick.
an overhead view of beef chili with jalapeno and avocado slices with cilantro on the side

Serving Suggestions

Serve beer chili with your favorite chili toppings such as chopped green onions, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, or Greek yogurt, Pair it with tortilla chips, cornbread, sharp cheddar cheese, pepper jack cheese, homemade guacamole, or your favorite hot sauce.

How to Store & Use Leftovers

Once the chili has cooled to room temperature, store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze it for up to three months. When ready to enjoy, thaw the chili overnight in the refrigerator and reheat it in a saucepan over medium-low heat for 15 to 20 minutes or in the microwave. Leftovers taste great in tacos, over baked potatoes, with rice, pasta or even as a topping for a fresh salad.

Recipe Variations

  • Soupy chili – for a more soup like chili, add 1/2 cup of beef broth to the chili at the beginning of the cooking process.
  • Alchohol-free – Replace the beer with beef, chicken or vegetable broth.
  • Spices – 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 – Use half of a jalapeno or leave it out completely.
  • Less Meat – Add an extra can of any variety of beans to stretch portions and save money.
a close up view of chili ina white bowl

Recipe FAQs

Can I use ground turkey instead of beef to make crock pot 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 Grass Fed Ground Beef Recipes!

Try these chili recipes

a picture of the cover of an ebook how to make dinner with what you have.

Grab your Free copy !

How to make dinner with what you have!

Get dinner on the table fast! Use this guide to help you whip up a tasty dinner with food you already have in your kitchen!

Do you like this recipe or have a question?

Please leave a comment or question and a 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating below. I answer all your questions!

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

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

Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and a star rating to let us know how it was!

Sign Up for Easy Recipes Straight in Your In-Box!

Similar Posts

4.41 from 5 votes (5 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

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!