Name: Spicy Beef & Beer Chili
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 lb. ground beef; 1 onion (diced); 1 tablespoon chili powder; 2 teaspoons cumin; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon oregano; ½ teaspoon onion powder; ¼ teaspoon cayenne; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; 1 cup beer (dark or light); 1-15 oz. can kidney beans (undrained); 1-14.5 oz. can petite diced tomatoes (undrained); Sour cream (for topping (optional)); Jalapeno pepper (for topping (optional)); Rice (for serving (if desired))

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My Spicy Beef & Beer Chili is a hearty one-pot chili that’s rich and spicy and perfect for chilly nights.

There’s something I find so warm and comforting about a bowl of chili and I find myself craving it weekly when it’s chilly outside. I’ve been making this chili, with a few modifications here and there, since college.

The first year or so of making this chili, I always started with a packet of chili seasoning from the grocery store. Super simple, and inexpensive for the most part.

But one night, I was desperate to make this easy dinner, but I realized I had everything on hand but the seasoning packet. So, I rummaged through our spice cabinet and came up with my own chili seasoning blend – amping up my favorite flavors like cumin and oregano, and giving it a hearty dash of cayenne for lots of heat.

I seasoned as I went and kept adding here and there until it tasted just right. And, truth be told, that’s how I’ve made it for years and years, but I kept getting requests for the recipe. So, today I actually measured everything out and wrote down my recipe for spicy beef & beer chili, which I’m going to dub “Erin’s Spicy Beef & Beer Chili.”

My Spicy Beef & Beer Chili is a hearty one-pot chili that’s rich and spicy and perfect for chilly nights.

What spices go in chili?

Add in your usual chili seasoning blend of chili powder, cumin, oregano and cayenne, and then let it all simmer for about 15 minutes.

Which Beer Is Best for Chili?

Now, you may be wondering about the beer… I say, add whatever you have on hand with one exception – Skip the IPA. I’ve tried it a couple times, with a couple different brands, and I find that the extreme hoppiness just overpowers all the chili seasonings. But I have used dark porters, mexican lagers and brown ales all with great success. If you’re anti-alcohol, you could also swap in some chicken or beef stock, or just leave it out entirely.

This chili may be a bit more thin than you’re used to. Like, say, this wouldn’t make the best topping for a hot dog because it’d be all over the place. But, I made it this way for a reason, and you’ll have to tell me if this is odd, or if this is how you eat your chili too – I like to serve it over rice.

Growing up, whenever my Nana LaMancuso made chili, she’d always serve it up with a pot of rice. We’d ladle the spicy chili over top, fix it up with our toppings and then eat it all up with a spoon. Ever since then, I’ve eaten it the same way, and I like my chili to be a bit soupy.

So, to keep it that way, I not only add in the beer, but I also throw in a can of chopped tomatoes and kidney beans, both undrained. Their cooking liquids really help to blend all the flavors together and the bean “broth” gives it a silky texture. I prefer to use petite diced tomatoes because they break down so nicely while the chili simmers.

I topped these bowls with just a bit of sour cream and some sliced jalapenos, but feel free to dress your spicy beef & beer chili up any way you like it – Cheddar cheese seems to be a crowd favorite too.

Can You Freeze Chili?

Yes, absolutely if you have leftovers, this chili freezes perfectly. I like to portion it into freezer bags in individual serving sizes and place them on a cookie sheet to freeze. Once frozen, I stack them in the freezer making for an easy individual lunch!

If you loved this Spicy Beef & Beer Chili I would appreciate it so much if you would give this recipe a star review! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

Wine Pairings for Chili:

Zinfandel makes a perfect match with chili with its dark fruit aromas, hints of smokiness and just the right amount of tannins.

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