Guinness Irish Chili Recipe

Introduction

This Guinness Irish Chili is a hearty and flavorful twist on classic chili, enriched with the rich depth of Irish stout. Perfect for a cozy night in, it combines tender ground beef, fragrant spices, and a touch of Guinness for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon avocado oil
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 4 stalks celery, chopped
• 2 bell peppers, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, grated or very finely minced
• 1 ½ lb lean ground beef
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cinnamon stick (or ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon)
• 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 14 ounce can Guinness (440ml)
• 19 ounce can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• Optional toppings: sour cream, grated cheddar cheese, green onions

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat the avocado oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion begins to brown, about 5 minutes. Then add the chopped celery, bell peppers, and garlic and cook for another 5 minutes.
2. Step 2: Add the ground beef to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chili powder, paprika, cumin, coriander, oregano, sea salt, pepper, and the cinnamon stick.
3. Step 3: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and Guinness. Stir well to combine. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, allowing the chili to thicken nicely.
4. Step 4: Add the drained and rinsed kidney beans to the pot. Season the chili with additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot with optional toppings like sour cream, grated cheddar cheese, and green onions.

Tips & Variations

• For a smokier flavor, add a chipotle pepper in adobo sauce or smoked paprika.
• Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
• If Guinness is unavailable, try another dark stout or a rich porter beer.
• For extra heat, add chopped jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
• Vegetarian option: omit beef and use additional beans or cooked lentils.

Storage

Store leftover chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stove over medium heat or in the microwave until heated through. This chili also freezes well for up to 3 months—thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this chili without beer?

Yes, you can substitute the Guinness with beef broth or a mixture of broth and a splash of balsamic vinegar for some acidity, but the flavor will be less rich and malty.

Do I need to rinse the kidney beans?

It’s best to drain and rinse canned kidney beans to remove excess sodium and the canning liquid, which improves the chili’s texture and flavor.

Guinness Irish Chili Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 98 reviews

This Guinness Irish Chili is a hearty and flavorful dish combining the rich taste of Guinness beer with a blend of classic chili spices, lean ground beef, vegetables, and kidney beans. Perfect for cozy dinners, this chili simmers to a thick, savory perfection with optional toppings like sour cream, cheddar cheese, and green onions.

• Author: Victoria
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Irish

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon avocado oil
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 4 stalks celery, chopped
• 2 bell peppers, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, grated or finely minced
• 1 ½ lb lean ground beef
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 cinnamon stick (or ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon)
• 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 14 ounce can Guinness beer (about 440 ml)
• 19 ounce can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

Optional Toppings

• Sour cream
• Grated cheddar cheese
• Chopped green onions

Instructions

1. Heat oil and sauté aromatics: Heat the avocado oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to brown, about 5 minutes. Then add the chopped celery, bell peppers, and garlic, cooking for an additional 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
2. Cook the ground beef: Add the lean ground beef to the pot. Cook it while stirring occasionally until the meat is no longer pink, approximately 5 minutes.
3. Add spices and liquids: Stir in the chili powder, paprika, cumin, coriander, oregano, sea salt, black pepper, and the cinnamon stick. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and Guinness beer. Stir everything together well to combine.
4. Simmer the chili: Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the chili cook uncovered for 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together and the chili to thicken nicely.
5. Add beans and adjust seasoning: Stir in the drained and rinsed kidney beans. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper as needed.
6. Serve: Serve the chili hot with your choice of optional toppings such as sour cream, grated cheddar cheese, and chopped green onions.

Notes

• Use a good quality Guinness beer for the authentic Irish flavor; if unavailable, a dark stout beer can be substituted.
• For a spicier chili, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chopped fresh chili when cooking the spices.
• Lean ground beef is recommended to reduce excess fat but ground turkey or plant-based alternatives can be used.
• Cooking uncovered in the simmering step helps the chili reduce to the right thickness; stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
• Leftover chili keeps well refrigerated for up to 3 days and freezes beautifully for up to 3 months.

Keywords: Guinness chili, Irish chili, beef chili, hearty chili recipe, dark beer chili, kidney beans chili, spicy chili