• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Free Email Series!

5 Time and Stress Saving Cooking Secrets

Free email series of my best tips!

Visit my other Site: Pancake Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Free Email Series!

    5 Time and Stress Saving Cooking Secrets

    Free email series of my best tips!

  • Visit my other Site: Pancake Recipes

Rachel Cooks®

Easy Healthy-ish Recipes

  • Recipe Index
  • Popular
    • Instant Pot Pinto Beans
    • Green Beans with Bacon
    • Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
    • Roasted Sugar Snap Peas
    • Beef Stew Seasoning
    • Chili Seasoning Recipe
    • Thousand Island Dressing
    • Poppy Seed Dressing
    • Copycat Panera Squash Soup
    • Chocolate Chip Blondies
    • Instant Pot Pork Loin Roast
    • Frosé
    • Best Chocolate Cake
    • Dill Vegetable Dip
    • Instant Pot Jasmine Rice
    • Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
  • Learn to Cook
    • All The Basics
    • Crostini
    • Delicata Squash
    • Butternut Squash
    • Kabocha Squash
    • Spaghetti Squash
    • Guacamole
    • Croutons
    • Snap Peas
    • Baked Potatoes
    • Baked Bacon
    • Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Recipe
    • Simple Syrup
    • Pickled Red Onions Recipe
    • Toasted Pine Nuts
    • Roasted bone-in Chicken Breasts
    • Poached Chicken
    • Roasted Whole Chicken
    • Easy Cheese Sauce

Dinner Made Easy:

Slow Cooker

5 Ingredients

Grilling

Make Ahead

Sheet Pan

Tacos

Pizza

Home Recipes by Type Soups and Stews
FF Freezer Friendly

Turkey and Beef Chili with Beer and Beans

4.48
/5
1 hr 20 mins
40 Comments
Jump to Recipe
By: Rachel GurkPosted: 09/27/2012Updated: 06/15/2021

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This Chili Recipe is a serious crowd pleaser! With a blend of turkey and beef, the flavors are out of this world! Get the easy recipe on RachelCooks.com - perfect for football season!

Feeding a crowd? You’ll love this turkey and beef chili recipe and leftovers taste great too. The beer in it really takes the flavor to the next level!

Image chili in a white bowl, text overlay reads "chili for an army"

I should begin by saying I never, ever, ever make chili the same way twice. I’m not one of those people who has a “tried and true” recipe or one I’m known for. My white chili? Different story. (By the way, there’s a link to that famous white chicken chili at the end of this post.)

Don’t get me wrong–my chili is always good (if I do say so myself), it’s just not one of those meals where I take the time to be particular about things. If I had red peppers in the house, they are going in. If they happen to be green? No biggie, it will still taste great! Beer in the fridge? Better believe that’s going in. Especially these pregnancy days! I had a bottle of Shiner Bock (which I love) staring me in the face for weeks every time I opened the door.

“Hahaha you can’t drink me…”

Temptation be gone! I might not be able to drink you, Mr. Shiner Bock, but I can cook with you and EAT you! HA. Who is laughing now?

Overhead view of a white bowl of chili surrounded by small bowls of toppings: cheese, crackers, avocado, sour cream.

Making chili is the same general process each time but it always varies a bit depending on what veggies and meat I have available. And I never, ever measure spices unless I have to.

However, I decided to turn over a new leaf and actually measure things this time to share with you all. Note: the spice is mild, so feel free to amp it up if you like it a little hotter.

For this chili recipe, I use a combination of beef and lean turkey for lots of beefy flavor but with less fat. You’ll find lots of tomatoes and beans in there, with bell peppers and onions. I even throw in some carrots for some added veggies and to add just a bit of sweetness. 

Close up overhead view of meat chili in a bowl on a white background, surrounded by toppings.

Looking for different takes on chili? Try:

 

  • Vegetarian chili with quinoa
  • My famous original chicken chili
  • 5 ingredient chicken chili
  • Instant Pot white chicken chili
  • Slow cooker Texas chili (with big chunks of beef chuck roast)
  • Instant Pot chili (Whole30 and paleo compliant)

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

This Chili Recipe is a serious crowd pleaser! With a blend of turkey and beef, the flavors are out of this world! Get the easy recipe on RachelCooks.com - perfect for football season!
Recipe

Get the Recipe: Beef Chili With Beans Recipe

4.48 from 23 votes
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 1 hr
Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins
10 servings
Print Rate Recipe
Prevent your screen from going dark
Feeding a crowd? You’ll love this beef chili recipe and leftovers taste great too.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 pounds lean ground beef (see note)
  • 1 cup diced yellow onion, ¼ inch dice (1 medium onion)
  • 1 cup diced green bell pepper, ¼ inch dice (1 bell pepper)
  • 1 cup diced red bell pepper, ¼ inch dice (1 bell pepper)
  • 1 cup diced carrots, ¼ inch dice (about 2 large carrots)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon coarse ground pepper
  • 1 bottle (12 ounces) beer (Shiner Bock or Modelo Negro are good choices)
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder, more to taste
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, more to taste
  • ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper, more to taste
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Optional toppings: sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt), avocado, cilantro, green onions, sharp cheddar, oyster crackers, crushed tortilla chips

Instructions

  • In a large heavy pot or Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, season with salt and pepper and break up into pieces. Add onion, peppers, carrots and continue to brown all ingredients until meat is almost cooked through.
  • Add spices and continue to cook for about one minute. Add tomato paste and stir until combined. Add beer and scrape any brown bits off the bottom of the pan. Add beans, tomatoes, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer.
  • Continue to simmer uncovered for at least an hour, or until vegetables are tender. If it is too thick for your liking, add water to thin out a little.
  • Taste before serving and add more salt and/or cayenne, as desired.

Notes

  • Makes about 12 cups. A serving is one generous cupful.
  • You can use ground turkey (93% lean) instead of beef if you want. I like to do half beef and half turkey.
  • This recipe is very versatile. Add different beans, a different beer, no beer (sub beef broth), whatever you want! No carrots? No biggie–I just put them in for extra veggies.
  • If you’re not feeding a crowd – no worries! This freezes GREAT!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 271kcal, Carbohydrates: 25g, Protein: 26g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.3g, Cholesterol: 56mg, Sodium: 699mg, Potassium: 952mg, Fiber: 8g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 3386IU, Vitamin C: 42mg, Calcium: 91mg, Iron: 5mg

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Author: Rachel Gurk
Did You Make This?Be sure to upload a photo & tag me at @RachelCooksBlog. I love seeing what you made!
Share A Photo! Tag on Insta Rate It
Chili topped with cheese, sour cream, oyster crackers, and avocado.
Holiday Quick-Start Guide

Get my Holiday

Quick-Start Guide!

Free email series of my best tips!

FREE BONUS!

You May Also Like...

  • Jerk chicken chili topped with mango.
    Jerk Chicken Chili - easy one pan meal!
  • Quinoa chili in white bowl garnished with sour cream and green onions.
    Turkey Quinoa Chili (under 200 calories!)
  • Chicken chili in a bowl garnished with avocado, cilantro, cheese.
    White Chicken Chili - Easiest Recipe!
  • Chili in white bowl with handle garnished with parsley leaves.
    Easy Chicken Chili Recipe - FIVE ingredients!
Previous Post
{a day in the life} Bev Cooks
Next Post
{a day in the life} The Lemon Bowl

Reader Interactions

Leave a Review Cancel reply

Recipe Rating




The maximum upload file size: 1 MB. You can upload: image. Drop files here

  1. Rusty says

    November 1, 2022 at 2:15 pm

    5 stars
    I love this chili! I’ve made many different chilis over the years and this one is perfect! The spices even the beer made this one a keeper! Thank you Rachel!!!

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      November 7, 2022 at 12:37 pm

      So glad to hear it! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review!

      Reply
  2. Alex says

    January 14, 2021 at 9:15 am

    Delicious! I got in the mood after having some of Costco’s Beef Chili, and your recipe really kicks it up a notch! I love the unapologetic use of beans, they’re awesome and so many people have a problem with them.

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      January 16, 2021 at 3:52 pm

      I’m so glad you liked it! Thanks for leaving a comment!

      Reply
  3. Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction says

    October 2, 2012 at 9:08 pm

    I have to admit that I am often the same way when it comes to chili. I love to make it, but I rarely measure or make the same chili twice. This version looks fabulous, though. I think I might have to whip up a batch of chili this weekend since it’s supposed to be cold and rainy. Yum :)

    Reply
  4. Stephanie says

    September 30, 2012 at 11:11 pm

    That looks so tasty! I’m almost embarrassed to admit that I’ve never thought of topping my chili with avocados even though they are one of my favorite foods. I’ll have to try that

    Reply
  5. Nami | Just One Cookbook says

    September 29, 2012 at 2:44 am

    Hi Rachel! Your chili looks so good!! I’d love to have a bowl of that…even it’s close to midnight. :) Feeling the comfort by looking at it. Have a great weekend!

    Reply
  6. Laurie {Simply Scratch} says

    September 28, 2012 at 11:02 pm

    I LOVE ME SOME CHILI! Seriously tho beer in chili? SOLD!!! {sorry about all those shouty capitals!}

    Reply
  7. Katie @ Oh Shine On says

    September 28, 2012 at 5:56 pm

    I. Love. Chili. So. Much. Like, so so so much — totally my favorite fall dish. I’m like you and rarely do I measure anything when I’m making a pot of chili, unless it’s going up on the blog :)

    Reply
  8. Geni says

    September 28, 2012 at 1:36 pm

    Can’t wait for it to cool down here and make a big bowl of this. Love that you combined turkey and sirloin! Great idea…and you are absolutely right…it’s all about the toppings. P.S. Offally Tasty has a sage cornbread in a previous post that seems a must pairing with this cornbread. I link to her site on my blog roll.

    Reply
  9. Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says

    September 28, 2012 at 10:10 am

    This looks exactly like Asher’s first birthday party!! Mmm…. wish I had some right now!! Love all of the tasty toppings!!

    Reply
Older Comments

Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

Hi, I'm Rachel! Life can be complicated, cooking shouldn't be! I believe that you can put a delicious meal on the table without stressing. It's possible, and I'm here to help. Have a seat at my table...let's chat, eat, and have fun! Read more...

Air Fryer Instant Pot 30 Minutes One Pan Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Slow Cooker Vegetarian 5 Ingredients

Trending

Cooked salmon fillet on a grey-toned plate with cooked asparagus spears. The salmon is being flaked with a fork.

Air Fryer Salmon – easy and delicious!

Pizza pasta being scooped from a pan with a wooden spoon.

Pizza Pasta – 1 pan, 20 minutes

Image of a giant bowl of spaghetti with turkey meatballs.

Baked Turkey Meatballs

Asparagus Panzanella Salad

Seasonal

Beef and vegetable stir fry in a black wok.

Beef Stir Fry With Vegetables

Hot honey chicken sheet pan dinner with honey being drizzled on.

Hot Honey Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

Sweet and sour shrimp lettuce wrap garnished with green onion.

Sweet and Sour Shrimp Lettuce Wraps

BBQ Chicken burrito bowl with avocado and sour cream.

BBQ Chicken Bowl

Opens in a new window Opens an external site Opens an external site in a new window
Free Bonus!

5 Cooking Secrets to Save Time & Stress

Free email series of my best tips and recipes!

Featured On:

Back to Top
  • About
  • Contact
  • Press
  • Work with Me
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility
© 2023 Rachel Cooks®
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled