Crockpot Beer Chili 🍺⏲️ Slow-Cooked, Beer-Boosted, Deeply Satisfying

Crockpot Beer Chili transforms simple ingredients into a thick, rich, slow-simmered stew with a backbone of beer and spice. It’s chili made effortless — and more flavorful by the hour.

Ingredients (Serves 6–8)

• 1 tbsp oil or butter
• 1½ lbs ground beef (or turkey, bison, or plant-based meat)
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp oregano
• ¼ tsp cayenne (optional)
• 1 (12 oz) bottle beer (amber ale, porter, or stout work best)
• 1 (14.5 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained
• 1 (15 oz) can kidney or pinto beans, drained
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: 1 tbsp brown sugar or maple syrup (to mellow bitterness)

Instructions

Step 1: Sear for Flavor (Recommended)

In a skillet, heat oil over medium-high. Brown ground meat until caramelized. Add onion and garlic; cook 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in tomato paste and all spices. Toast 1 minute. (This step boosts depth, but you can skip it if short on time.)

Step 2: Add to Crockpot

Transfer everything from the skillet to your slow cooker. Add both tomatoes, beans, and beer. Stir to combine.

Step 3: Slow Cook

Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours. Stir occasionally if possible.

Step 4: Finish & Adjust

Before serving, taste and season with salt, pepper, or a touch of sugar if needed. If it’s too thin, remove lid and cook on high for 20–30 minutes to reduce.

Step 5: Serve

Ladle into bowls. Top with shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, jalapeños, avocado — whatever you like.

Beer Style Tips

• Amber ale or brown ale = classic chili backbone
• Stout or porter = dark, rich, roasted chili
• Wheat beer or lager = lighter, smooth, more neutral
• Avoid fruity, sour, or overly bitter IPAs — they can throw off the balance

Pro Tips

• Make it ahead — chili improves overnight in the fridge
• Freeze leftovers in portions for easy weeknight meals
• For smoky heat, add chipotles in adobo or smoked sausage
• Stir in corn, bell peppers, or squash for extra veg

Flavor Variations

• Beanless version for Texas-style purists
• Add chorizo, bacon, or brisket for richness
• Sub half the meat with lentils or mushrooms for a hearty, lighter take
• Use fire-roasted tomatoes for built-in smoky depth

Final Thoughts

Crockpot Beer Chili is slow comfort in its best form — hands-off, deep-flavored, and rich with beer-kissed warmth. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or stashing leftovers, this is chili that simmers low, hits hard, and satisfies big.

Sear it. Simmer it. Let beer do the work. 🍺⏲️🔥

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.

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.