Chili and a mug of ice-cold beer. Sounds right. Beer in chili. Hmmmmm….now that sounds different. But different is good!
With the brisk temperatures we’ve been experiencing lately, it seemed like the perfect time to make a big pot of chili. I found lots of great recipes, but this one from Eclectic Cook caught my attention, thanks to the interesting addition of beer. I’m not a beer drinker – I’m more of a diet coke connoisseur – but I had a beer bread recipe I wanted to try, and this seemed like the perfect accompaniment. And it was.
You get a hint of beer flavor, but it’s by no means overbearing. It makes a big pot, so you can enjoy it night after night. Or freeze some to enjoy on those busy nights when you don’t have time to cook. Or those nights when you have plenty of time to cook but just don’t feel like it.
Chili with Beer
Recipe from Eclectic Cook
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 2 onions, diced
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 (6 oz) can of tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 (28 oz) cans crushed tomatoes
- 1 bottle of beer
- 1 1/2 cups of beef or chicken stock (you can use tomato juice too)
- 2 cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Saute onion and garlic in a large pot until translucent.
- Add all the spices and cook for another minute, stirring constantly. You want the spices to get fragrant, but not burn.
- Add the beef and cook until browned.
- Add the tomato paste and cook for another minute.
- Add the tomatoes, beer, stock, brown sugar and kidney beans.
- Reduce heat to low and let simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve with chopped jalapenos, grated cheddar cheese, diced avocado and/or sour cream.
Special Notes:
- You can also add the jalapeno with the onions and garlic if you would prefer a more mild kick. 🙂
- Eclectic Cook recommended a lager, but I just used whatever beer I could buy in a single can.
Enjoy!
Tanya
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