Beer Cheese Chili: Rich, Creamy, and Fully Loaded — Where Chili Meets the Pub Cheese Dip

Beer Cheese Chili is what happens when two barroom icons — spicy chili and warm beer cheese — collide in one crave-worthy bowl. It’s meaty, cheesy, and malty with a subtle kick, smooth texture, and serious comfort food energy.

Think tailgate chili meets nacho night. You can eat it with a spoon or scoop it with pretzels — either way, it’s rich, bold, and impossible to stop eating.

Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

• 1 tbsp oil or butter
• 1 lb ground beef, sausage, or plant-based ground
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp cumin
• Salt & black pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 can (15 oz) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• 1 can (15 oz) pinto or black beans, drained
• ¾ cup beer (amber ale, bock, or lager — smooth and malty)
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar (plus more for topping)
• 4 oz cream cheese or Velveeta-style cheese
• Optional: 1 tsp Dijon mustard or splash of hot sauce to cut the richness

Toppings (Highly Encouraged)

• Crushed pretzels or tortilla chips
• Sliced green onions
• Extra shredded cheese
• Sour cream or pickled jalapeños
• Bacon bits (if you’re going full pub mode)

Instructions

Step 1: Sauté and Brown

1. In a large pot, heat oil and brown the ground meat until cooked through.
2. Add onion and garlic. Sauté until soft, about 4–5 minutes.
3. Stir in chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and tomato paste. Cook 1–2 minutes to bloom the spices.

Step 2: Simmer With Beer

1. Add tomatoes, beans, and beer. Stir to combine.
2. Simmer over medium-low heat for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 3: Stir in the Cheese

1. Reduce heat to low. Stir in cream cheese or Velveeta until melted and smooth.
2. Add shredded cheddar a handful at a time, stirring until fully melted.
3. Optional: Add a splash of Dijon or hot sauce to brighten the flavor.

Step 4: Serve It Hot and Loaded

1. Spoon into bowls or serve in a hollowed-out bread bowl for extra indulgence.
2. Top with cheese, pretzels, scallions, or whatever you’d put on pub nachos.
3. Serve hot with a cold beer and something to scoop it with.

Flavor Variations

• Use spicy sausage instead of beef for extra kick
• Add jalapeños or chipotle for heat
• Stir in cooked macaroni for Beer Cheese Chili Mac
• Try smoked gouda or pepper jack for alternate cheese vibes

Beer Pairing

In the Pot

• Amber ale, bock, Vienna lager — smooth and slightly sweet
• Avoid IPAs — the bitterness doesn’t play well with cheese

In Your Glass

• The same beer you cooked with
• Dunkel or Märzen for a malt-forward match
• Milk stout or brown ale if you want creamy contrast

Explore Our Best Beer Chili Recipes 🌶️

Bold, rich, and slow-simmered with brews of all kinds — these chili recipes take comfort food up a notch. Whether you prefer beefy, vegan, spicy, or seasonal, there’s a beer chili here with your name on it.

🍺 Beer Chili Recipes (Main Hub) – The full collection of beer-infused chili favorites.

🐄 Classic & Meaty Favorites

🥩 Classic Beef & Ale Chili – A robust, no-nonsense chili with deep ale flavor.
🌶️ Chipotle Stout Chili – Smoky heat meets bold dark beer in every bite.
🍺 Turkey & Pale Ale Chili – Lean, flavorful, and light on its feet.
🌭 Beer Bratwurst Chili – A Midwest tailgate in chili form.
🔥 Spicy IPA Chili – Hoppy bitterness and chili heat in perfect balance.
🧀 Beer Cheese Chili – Rich, cheesy, and built to satisfy.

🍗 White, Poultry & Lighter Styles

🥣 Beer & White Bean Chicken Chili – Creamy and comforting with a hint of hops.
🌽 Southwest Wheat Beer Chili – Zesty with corn, beans, and bright wheat beer notes.
🎃 Pumpkin Beer Chili – A fall-inspired blend of spice, squash, and seasonal brew.
🐢 Crockpot Beer Chili – Slow-cooked, deep flavor with minimal effort.

🌱 Vegetarian & Vegan Options

🌿 Vegetarian Lager Chili – Veggie-loaded and full of clean, crisp lager flavor.
🫘 Lager Chili with Black Beans – Simple, hearty, and deeply satisfying.
🌱 Black Bean & Porter Chili (Vegan) – Rich, smoky, and plant-based with deep porter notes.
🍫 Chocolate & Stout Chili – Vegan-friendly and built on bold, complex flavor with cocoa and stout.

Final Thoughts

Beer Cheese Chili is rich, thick, and built for fall weekends, tailgates, or anytime you want something that eats like bar food but warms like stew. It’s equal parts comfort and chaos — in the best, cheesiest, beer-soaked way possible.

Spoon it. Dip it. Devour it. This chili doesn’t mess around. 🧀🍺🔥

Explore Our Top Cooking-with-Beer Recipes 🍺 🍺

From crispy beer-battered classics to bold mains, cheesy dips, breads, and even desserts — these roundups bring together the best of beer-infused cooking. Whether you’re hosting a game day, planning a backyard BBQ, or just experimenting in the kitchen, there’s a beer recipe collection for every craving.

• 🍽️ Cooking with Beer (Main Hub) – Your ultimate guide to cooking with beer, from mains to apps and desserts.
• 🥨 Beer-Battered Appetizers and Sides – – Crispy onion rings, fried pickles, mushrooms, zucchini, & more pub-style favorites with a golden beer crunch.
• 🍞 Beer Bread Recipes – From 2-ingredient quick breads to jalapeño cheese loaves.
• 🧀 Beer Cheese & Dips – Beer cheese soup, queso, nachos, ranch dip & more.
• 🍖 Beer Can Chicken & Grilled Mains – Bold, juicy recipes straight from the grill.
• 🌶️ Beer Infused Chili’s – Hearty, bold, and slow-simmered beer-infused chili.
• 🍻 Beer Mac & Cheese – Creamy, quick& easy, made to impress.
• 🍰 Beer-Infused Desserts & Sweets – Sweet treats made better with beer.
• 🎉 Oktoberfest & Seasonal Ideas – Perfect pairings for parties, fall feasts, and festive gatherings.