Pumpkin Beer Chili 🎃🍺 Savory-Sweet Heat With Malty Depth — Fall in a Bowl

Pumpkin Beer Chili blends tender ground meat, earthy pumpkin purée, fire-roasted tomatoes, and a hit of beer for body and bite. No weird sweetness — this chili stays savory, smoky, and deeply satisfying with a velvety finish from the pumpkin.

Ingredients (Serves 6–8)

• 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
• 1 lb ground beef or turkey (or plant-based ground)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp cinnamon (subtle fall warmth — optional but excellent)
• ¼ tsp cayenne or chipotle powder (optional)
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 (12 oz) bottle pumpkin ale, brown ale, or amber lager
• 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin purée (not pie filling)
• 1 (14.5 oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• 1 (14.5 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15 oz) can kidney or pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: 1 tsp maple syrup or brown sugar to round the edges

Instructions

Step 1: Brown & Build Flavor

Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and sauté 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more. Add meat and cook until browned. Stir in tomato paste and all spices. Let it toast 1–2 minutes until deepened and fragrant.

Step 2: Pour the Beer

Add beer to deglaze the pot, scraping up browned bits. Let simmer 2–3 minutes to cook off alcohol and concentrate the maltiness.

Step 3: Add the Rest

Stir in pumpkin purée, both tomatoes, and beans. Bring to a simmer, cover loosely, and cook 30–40 minutes. Uncover the last 10–15 minutes to thicken if needed.

Step 4: Taste & Adjust

Season with salt and pepper. Add a splash of maple syrup or a pinch of sugar if the chili is too acidic or bitter. Stir, taste, and finish with extra spice if desired.

Step 5: Serve

Top with sour cream, green onions, shredded cheddar, avocado, or roasted pepitas. Serve with cornbread, beer bread, or tortilla chips.

Beer Style Tips

• Pumpkin ale = obvious and great for fall spice carry-through
• Brown ale or amber lager = deeper maltiness without sweetness
• Stout or porter = rich, roasty, mole-style chili (works great with chipotle)
• Avoid IPAs — too bitter for pumpkin

Pro Tips

• Pumpkin thickens the chili beautifully — no flour or cornstarch needed
• For extra richness, add a pat of butter or splash of cream before serving
• Let it rest 10 minutes before serving — flavors tighten and deepen
• Tastes even better the next day — ideal for meal prep or freezing

Flavor Variations

• Add chipotle in adobo for smoky fire
• Stir in corn, bell pepper, or sweet potato for texture
• Go beanless for a Texas-style pumpkin twist
• Add cooked quinoa or lentils for a plant-forward version

Final Thoughts

Pumpkin Beer Chili is bold, savory, and autumn in a bowl — with smoky spice, velvety pumpkin body, and a smooth beer backbone. This isn’t novelty chili — it’s next-level comfort that just happens to wear flannel.

Simmer it. Spice it. Let pumpkin and beer do their thing. 🎃🍺🔥

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.