This rich and hearty Guinness Chili is packed with bold flavor from stout beer, ground beef, beans, and warm spices. It’s easy to make, perfect for game day or St. Patrick’s Day, and leftovers taste even better! It’s an easy, comforting one pot dinner!

Guinness chili with ground beef in a bowl with cheese and jalapeno slices.

Guinness stout is always involved in my St. Patrick’s Day meal prep. I don’t drink it because it’s a bit heavy for me, but I love using it as a braising liquid for corned beef and cabbage because it provides a delicious layer of flavor.

If you’re craving your favorite Irish-inspired flavors but don’t have the time to prepare homemade corned beef, this easy Guinness Chili recipe is a winner!

The full-bodied Irish stout creates a richer and meatier tasting chili.

In addition to Guinness, there are layers of flavor from the chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and cayenne. A little maple syrup tones down the acidity from the beer and fire roasted tomatoes.

This Guinness beef chili is incredibly hearty, and makes a great 30-minute meal for St. Patrick’s Day, game day, or any time you’re craving chili.

Don’t forget the Irish brown bread for dunking. 🙂

Have leftover Guinness? My recipe for Instant Pot Guinness beef stew is another delicious way to enjoy it.

Guinness stout chili in a Dutch oven with a ladle.
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Why you’ll love this recipe

  • This isn’t your average ground beef chili! It’s hearty with plenty of warm spices and a rich layer of flavor from Guinness stout.
  • It’s a quick and easy chili recipe that’s done in just 30 minutes.
  • It reheats well, making it perfect for freezing and for meal prep.
  • This is the perfect meal for St. Patrick’s Day, game day or any time you’re craving chili.

Recipe ingredients

Besides the Guinness, there are no special ingredients needed to make this hearty ground beef chili.

Guinness chili recipe ingredients.
  • Ground beef. I always use lean grass-fed ground beef. It’s a sustainable choice that has great flavor and reduced fat.
  • Guinness. This chili recipe calls for 11.2 ounces of Guinness stout, which is equal to one bottle. It can be substituted with your favorite beer, but keep in mind that the flavor of the chili will vary depending on the beer that you use.
  • Aromatics. Onion and garlic add a base of great flavor to the chili.
  • Spices. You’ll need chili powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Add additional cayenne if you like it spicy!
  • Fire roasted crushed tomatoes. Fire roasted tomatoes provide smoky flavor, not spiciness. Sub with regular crushed tomatoes.
  • Kidney beans. Sub with your favorite variety such as black beans or white beans. You can also add an additional can of beans to bulk up the meal.
  • Maple syrup. Choose pure maple syrup, not pancake syrup. The hint of sweetness offsets the rich Irish stout and the spicy cayenne. Sub with your favorite sweetener.

See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and quantities.

How to make chili with Guinness

This recipe requires minimal prep and it cooks up quickly on the stove top.

Pro tip: Guinness is full-bodied and adds rich flavor to the chili. You can substitute it with a different type of beer, but the flavor of the chili will vary depending on the beer that you use.

See the recipe card below for full instructions.

How to make ground beef chili with Guinness.
  1. Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large pot. Add the ground beef and break it up into small chunks. Cook about 3-4 minutes, then add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Drain excess grease as necessary. Add the garlic and spices and cook 30 seconds longer, stirring until the mixture is well coated with the spice mixture.
  2. Add the Guinness, crushed tomatoes and maple syrup and stir until combined.
  3. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and stir in the beans.
  4. Simmer for about 20 minutes or until the mixture has thickened.
Guinness beef chili in a dutch oven with serving spoon digging in.

Recipe FAQs

Can the Guinness be substituted?

I specifically created this chili recipe using Guinness stout for the rich flavor that it adds.

You may replace the Guinness with an equal amount of your favorite dry stout or beer, but keep in mind that the flavor of the chili will vary depending on the beer that you use.

What does Guinness do for chili?

The Guinness adds body to the chili and gives it an incredible background flavor. It makes the beef taste meatier, and it really enhances the flavor of the tomatoes.

Can this recipe be made in advance?

Most definitely! Chili always tastes better the longer it sits in the fridge. You can keep leftovers stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Serving suggestions

Chili is best served with some kind of bread for dipping, and this Guinness version is no different.

Recipe notes

  • Pro tip: Guinness is full-bodied and adds rich flavor to the chili. You can substitute it with a different type of beer, but the flavor of the chili will vary depending on the beer that you use.
  • If you’re using ground beef that isn’t lean, you may want to degrease the pan before adding the remaining ingredients once the meat has cooked.
  • The chili can safely simmer for an hour or more, which is perfect if you’re trying to prep dinner ahead of time.
  • If you prefer a spicier chili, add extra cayenne pepper. Start with an additional 1/4 teaspoon, then work up from there.
Guinness stout chili with ground beef in a bowl.

More chili recipes you’ll love

Did you try this recipe?  If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram

Guinness chili with ground beef in a bowl with cheese and jalapeno slices.

Guinness Chili

Guinness Chili is a hearty, flavorful chili with plenty of spice and Guinness beer.  It's ready in about 40 minutes for an easy St. Patrick's Day dinner!
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Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1.5 lbs. grass fed ground beef I used 82% lean; see note 2
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper see note 3
  • 11.2 ounces Guinness Draught beer one bottle; see note 1
  • 28 ounces fire roasted crushed tomatoes sub with regular crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 15 ounces kidney beans rinsed and drained
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • cheddar cheese and chopped cilantro, for serving optional

Instructions 

  • Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large pot. Add the ground beef and break it up into small chunks. Cook about 3-4 minutes, then add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Drain excess grease as necessary. Add the garlic and spices and cook 30 seconds longer, stirring until the mixture is well coated with the spice mixture.
    1 tablespoon olive oil, 1.5 lbs. grass fed ground beef, 1 large onion, 4 cloves garlic, 2 tablespoons chili powder, 2 teaspoons ground cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Add the Guinness, crushed tomatoes and maple syrup and stir until combined. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and stir in the beans. Simmer for about 20-30 minutes or until the mixture has thickened.
    11.2 ounces Guinness Draught beer, 28 ounces fire roasted crushed tomatoes, 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup, 15 ounces kidney beans
  • Remove from heat and add salt and pepper, to taste. Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
    salt and pepper, cheddar cheese and chopped cilantro, for serving

Notes

  1. Pro tip: Guinness is full-bodied and adds rich flavor to the chili. You can substitute it with a different type of beer, but the flavor of the chili will vary depending on the beer that you use.
  2. If you’re using ground beef that isn’t lean, you may want to degrease the pan before adding the remaining ingredients once the meat has cooked.
  3. If you prefer a spicier chili, add extra cayenne pepper. Start with an additional 1/4 teaspoon, then work up from there.
  4. Store leftover Guinness beef chili in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 343kcal, Carbohydrates: 27g, Protein: 23g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 7g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 58mg, Sodium: 223mg, Potassium: 855mg, Fiber: 7g, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 962IU, Vitamin C: 12mg, Calcium: 86mg, Iron: 5mg

Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.

Did you try this recipe?Be sure to tag @flavorthemoments with the hashtag #flavorthemoments on Instagram so I can see what you made!

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