Whiskey-Spiced Beef Chili with Dark Beer
Hearty chili simmered with tender beef, dark beer, and a splash of whiskey for deep, robust flavors. This american-inspired beef ready in about 75 minutes pairs ground beef, olive oil, medium, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 cup dark beer
- 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed kidney beans
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the beef. Sauté for 4 minutes until onion is translucent and fragrant.
- Step 3: Pour in 1 cup dark beer and 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey, scraping the pot bottom to loosen browned bits. Let simmer for 3 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes, 1 can (15 oz) drained kidney beans, 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 5: Reduce heat to low, cover pot, and simmer chili for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld and chili thickens. Adjust seasoning to taste before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Whiskey-Spiced Beef Chili with Dark Beer take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (15 min prep + 60 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 Whiskey-Spiced Beef Chili with Dark 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 ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Whiskey-Spiced Beef Chili with Dark 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 Whiskey-Spiced Beef Chili with Dark 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 Whiskey-Spiced Beef Chili with Dark Beer?
American beef 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.
