Slow Cooker Riverside Beef Chili with Craft Beer
A rich and hearty chili slow-cooked with tender beef chunks and enhanced by the deep flavors of local craft beer. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 500 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes beef chuck roast, large, diced onion, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs, cut into 1-inch cubes beef chuck roast
- 1 large, diced onion
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
- 15 oz, drained and rinsed kidney beans
- 12 oz craft beer
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs beef chuck roast cubes and brown on all sides for 5-6 minutes, turning for even color. Transfer to slow cooker.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, sauté 1 large diced onion and 4 minced garlic cloves over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Add the sautéed onion and garlic to the slow cooker along with 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 15 oz drained kidney beans, 12 oz craft beer, 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 4: Stir all ingredients gently to combine in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours until beef is tender and flavors melded.
- Step 5: Before serving, taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot with your choice of toppings such as shredded cheese or sour cream.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow Cooker Riverside Beef Chili with Craft Beer take to make?
Total time is about 500 minutes (20 min prep + 480 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Slow Cooker Riverside Beef Chili with Craft Beer?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep large, diced onion from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Cooker Riverside Beef Chili with Craft Beer?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Slow Cooker Riverside Beef Chili with Craft Beer for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Slow Cooker Riverside Beef Chili with Craft Beer?
American slow cooker like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
