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The Best IPA Beer Chili

Everyone needs a winning chili recipe and this one can be yours! The Best IPA Beer Chili brings together all the amazing flavors for a delicious chili that will blow away the competition!

The Best IPA Beer Chili in a white bowl on a wood table

Let’s start off with a question. When you think of chili, is there a strict definition in your mind of what chili should be? Or, is it a basic dish that can be adjusted and customized a million ways.  I fall into the latter camp, where chili can mean a whole lot of different things to me.  That combined with the fact that it’s just about one of the easiest dinners to make means we have chili at least once a week at our house.  One of my favorite ways to play around with the flavors in my chili is by adding different types of beer.  My husband and I both happen to be fans of IPA and that’s what this chili was inspired by. IPA’s can be full of citrus and hop and in my mind perfect and refreshing, and since we are finally inching into spring, I wanted a chili that would carry over into the warmer months. I’ve made this several times now, so I can confidently call it, The Best IPA Beer Chili!

canned crushed tomatoes for the best IPA beer chili

The first order of business is to use two different kinds of tomatoes.  We want some crushed tomatoes to serve as the base of the sauce and some slightly chunkier tomatoes to bite into.

The Best IPA Beer Chili can be mild or spicy…

  • I used salsa style diced tomatoes for a spicier flavor in my chili. If you like mild, go with some regular diced or petite diced tomatoes.
  • Other than the tomatoes, I kept the rest of the seasonings more on the smoky than spicy side, using ancho chili powder, regular and just a touch of chipotle.  You can play around with these combos and adjust to your liking.
  • If you like really spicy chili? Add a couple of chopped jalapeño peppers (or any kind of peppers your palate prefers!). That’s the beauty of chili, you can make it just how you like it.

can of beer open and ready for the best IPA beer chili

What kind of beer should you use for beer chili?

  • any kind you actually like.  Sound crazy, but this is soooo true! If you don’t like drinking the beer, would you like tasting it in your chili?
  • for this particular combo of flavors, you will, however, want to use something lighter, more citrusy. Any good IPA that is on the hoppier side will work. You could also use a wheat beer or even more of lager if you prefer
  • need a recommendation? Leave a comment or reach out and I will offer some of my favorites!
  • Want some pumpkin beer chili? I’ve got a recipe for that right here!

The Best IPA Beer Chili in red dutch oven with a ladle

You can make this chili:

  • in a dutch oven (that’s what I used)
  • in a slow cooker
  • in a pressure cooker
  • or even just a really large skillet or saucepan if that’s all you have!

The Best IPA Beer Chili in a white bowl

As we head on into spring and summer, let all pour a cold refreshing beer and enjoy a delicious chili that I just happen to call the best IPA beer chili.  Will you try it and let me know if you agree?

The Best IPA Beer Chili in a white bowl served with a frothy beer in a glass

The Best IPA Beer Chili in a white bowl on a wood table

The Best IPA Beer Chili

Print Recipe
Everyone needs a winning chili recipe and this one can be yours! The Best IPA Beer Chili brings together all the best flavors for a delicious chili that will blow away the competition!
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Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:20 minutes
Total Time:30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef, 97% lean
  • 1 pound ground turkey, 99% lean
  • 3 teaspoons chili powder
  • 3 teaspoons ancho chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
  • 14 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
  • 14 ounces canned salsa style diced tomatoes
  • 15 ounces canned black beans (drained and rinsed)
  • 12 ounces IPA beer
  • 1 cup chicken broth

Instructions

  • Brown ground beef and turkey in large dutch oven until fully cooked and crumbled apart
  • Add spices and stir into meat and let saute for about 1-2 minutes to bring out the flavors of the spices and infuse them into the meat
  • Add all remaining ingredients and let simmer for about 15-20 minutes until warm and bubbly
  • Serve with chips, shredded cheese, fresh cilantro, sour cream or as desired

Nutrition

Calories: 239kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 66mg | Sodium: 768mg | Potassium: 837mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 667IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 69mg | Iron: 4mg
Servings: 8 1 cup servings
Calories: 239kcal
*This recipe is intended only for adult consumption*
Win your next chili cookoff or just totally impress your friends! The Best IPA Beer Chili brings together all the amazing flavors you love for a delicious chili anytime of the year! #chili #beerchili
Win your next chili cookoff or just totally impress your friends! The Best IPA Beer Chili brings together all the amazing flavors you love for a delicious chili anytime of the year! #chili #beerchili

4 Comments

  1. We have a chili cookoff this Friday. A lot of people like our local brewery Mispillion. I do not know much about IPAs but I’d like to go there for some for this chili. What should I ask them to help me pick the best IPA. Also I plan to use Venison for this chili. Thank you for any suggestions!

    1. I would ask if you could taste a couple of samples and pick the one that you enjoy the most! The flavor will shine through in the chili. I think venison will work perfectly! Please let me know how it turns out!!

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