Jack Daniels Chili

Name: Jack Daniels Chili
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 75 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 cup yellow onion (diced); 3 cloves garlic (minced); 1.5 pounds lean ground beef; 2 tablespoons ground cumin; 2 tablespoon ground chili powder; 1 tablespoon ground chipotle pepper; 8 ounces Jack Daniel's Whiskey*; 28 ounce can organic crushed tomatoes; 15 ounce can organic red kidney beans (drained and rinsed); 15 ounce can organic white kidney beans (drained and rinsed); 1 tablespoon organic brown sugar; sour cream, shredded cheese, green onions (optional garnish)

October 31, 2013December 6, 2022

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The ultimate Jack Daniels Chili recipe for cold winter days, or for watching football. This flavorful chili is ready in under two hours and made with lean ground beef, red and white kidney beans, crushed tomatoes, and the perfect blend of seasonings!

Looking down on three bowls of chili topped with sour cream, grated cheddar cheese and green onions.

This easy chili recipe with beer cooks on the stovetop and is perfect served alongside Cornbread, Fritos corn chips, Baked Potato Skins, or Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits.

My favorite Guinness Beef Chili recipe was the starting point, but chili made with whiskey has a stronger, deeper flavor. It also carries a much bigger kick!

A bowl of chili topped with sour cream, cheddar cheese, green onions, and corn chips with a bowl of corn chips in the background.

What you will need

Ingredients to make Jack Daniels Whiskey Chili.

Chopped yellow onion sautéed in olive oil.
Lean ground beef
Minced garlic
Ground cumin powder adds an earthy flavor to the chili.
Chili powder gives this chili its traditional flavor and chipotle chili powder adds smokiness and a bit of heat.
Jack Daniels Whiskey from Lynchburg, Tennessee adds flavor, depth, and an unexpected bite to this dish. It’s the one with the square bottle with a black label.
Crushed tomatoes add the perfect amount of thickness and flavor without needed to cook down for hours.
A combination of red and white kidney beans (cannellini beans) add texture and flavor to this to this not Texas-style chili recipe.
Brown sugar rounds out the flavors of the chili powders and whiskey, and cuts down on any bitterness from the canned tomatoes

Be sure to check out the detailed printable recipe card below

Jack Daniels Chili with corn chips and a glass of whiskey.

I originally shared this recipe October 2013. Updated October 2022.

How to make Jack Daniels Chili:

Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 3 – 4 minutes to soften.

Add the ground beef and garlic. Stir and cook until meat is no longer pink.

Ground beef and onions mixed together in a large pot.

Stir in the cumin and chili powders.

Chili powder, cumin, ground beef, and onion in a large pot.

Add the tomatoes, beans, whiskey, and brown sugar. Stir to combine.

White and red kidney beans, crushed tomatoes, and whiskey added to the ground beef mixture in a large pot.

Cover and simmer for 1.5 hours.

A big pot of chili with red and white kidney beans and ground beef.

Serve garnished with Greek yogurt, shredded cheddar cheese, and sliced green onions.

A bowl of Jack Daniels Chili topped with sour cream, cheddar cheese, green onions, and corn chips with additional bowls in the background.

Recipe Notes & Tips

For a non-alcohol version, substitute chicken stock for the whiskey.
Ground turkey, bison, or chicken can be substituted for the ground beef if desired.
To cook in a pressure cooker, follow the cooking directions in this Instant Pot Guinness Beef Chili recipe.

How to store gourmet chili

Allow chili to cool completely before placing in an airtight storage container. Store in the refrigerator up to 4 days, or store in zipper top freezer bags in the freezer for up to one month.

Defrost in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in a saucepan on the stove or in the microwave.

More delicious chili recipes

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Enjoy!!