Crockpot Carne Asada Beer Chili.
Cause its chili season!!
And it’s Thursday, which means football, which just means GOOD food!
Which also means, SMILE!!
Gosh, I love Thursday. It’s almost always a good day. I mean, it’s basically the weekend, so that just makes the whole mood of the day a million times better, you know? Also, Thursdays during the fall mean football, which means cozy football food for dinner. Reason number 1,444,444,333 why I love fall to pieces!!
Ok, so I promised I would not bore you with my excitement over fall today.
SOO…let’s talk about the important things in life. Things like that new little black cat of mine, Snape. Remember, I talked all about him on Monday. He’s currently chillin right next to me. He likes to squeeze into the tightest places possible and be EXTRA close to me. It’s the best, I kind of love having the little guy by my side all day. While I work in the kitchen, he hangs out collecting scraps off the floor, then he gets tired and sleeps under my shooting table. While I work at my desk, he’s either on my lap or right beside me in my chair. And when we sleep, well he literally sleeps on top of me. Basically the little guy likes to be in touch at all times. Again, it’s the best.
OK, but the problem?!? He is SO small that I keep trapping him places. Like in cabinets, the bathroom…the fridge…don’t ask. I am also deathly afraid of crushing him, like he is TINY!
I promise photos. Do you want a whole dedicated post, or just a few snaps?? Let me know!
In other important news, my right hand brother Kai is headed off to school on Saturday and I am beyond sad. I have been working him hard, having him do some filming things and such for the blog…hoping to show you guys soon!!
But really, life is alway more fun when this kid is around, so I am so sad to seem him head off to school. BUT very excited that he is headed off to LA. That means warm Cali visits and lots of shopping with Caitlin (his girlfriend).
YES.
Most important news though?? This crockpot carne asada beer chili!!
It’s actually kind of funny though, because I can’t really take full credit for this idea. See, a while back I asked my oldest brother Creighton if he had any ideas for some fall themed football recipes (his favorite) and of course he responded – chili. Thing is, he likes chili from the packet, so he asked his friends and one of them (hi Tom!) suggested a Carne Asada Chili. I think this was one of the first times I ever asked Creigh for a recipe idea that I came away with one I actually liked.
I was pumped, I mean, carne asada chili? Sounds pretty awesome!!
So I was sold and literally made it the next day.
This is just like a carne asada taco, but in chili form. Which I’m actually thinking I like better. I know, what?!? But this is just SO good, plus it’s so easy! The meat gets slow cooked all day, then topped with seasoned baked potato wedges and basically every other topping you can think of!
Hello, avocado, jalapeños, cheddar cheese, grilled corn, green onions, FRITOS and maybe even some sour cream or greek yogurt, if you’re into it!
And there you go, that’s your bowl of carne asada chili!!
YUMMERS!!
*Lastly, for those of you who saw the note at the end of my post yesterday, I want to you to know that your efforts to contact Pinterest on my behalf of my issue worked! Pinterest finally contacted me to let me know that we have been removed from their blacklist. They apologized for the inconvenience and said, “Occasionally good websites get caught in the mix when we’re looking for spammy sites. This shouldn’t happen again, however, please let us know if it does”. Thank you all for being such AWESOME loyal readers. You have no idea how much this means to me. 🙂 Tieghan
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Crockpot Carne Asada Beer Chili.
By halfbakedharvest
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: beer, chili, crockpot
Rich and delicious comfort food
Ingredients
- 2 pounds carne asada meat or flank steak
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon dark chocolate cocoa powder or cacao powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- a good pinch of salt and pepper
- 1 (28 ounce) can fired roasted diced tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons apple butter
- 1 (12 ounce) beer
- 4-6 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1-2 ( 14 ounce) cans pinto and or black beans, rinsed or drained
- sliced avocado, shredded cheddar cheese, Fritos, grilled corn, limes, sliced jalapenos + fresh cilantro, for topping
Seasoned Potato Wedges
- 4 russet potatoes, cut into wedges
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- 1 tablespoon honey
- kosher salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
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Heat a large heavy bottomed skillet, grill pan or grill to high heat.
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Rub the steak all over with olive oil and season with salt + pepper. Sear the meat on both sides until, light char marks appear, about 3 minutes. Add the meat to the crockpot bowl.
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To the crockpot, add all the remaining ingredients except the beans (start with 4 cups chicken broth and add the remaining 2 towards the end of cooking if desired). Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hour or on high for 5-6 hours. I recommend cooking on low if possible.
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Just before serving, shred the meat with two forks. It should easily fall apart. Stir in the beans. If you like a soupy chili, add more chicken broth to your liking.
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To serve, divide the chili among bowls and top with seasoned baked potato wedges (recipe below), sliced avocado, cheddar cheese, Fritos, grilled corn and jalapeños. EAT!
Seasoned Potato Wedges
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Pre-heat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or grease with a little olive oil.
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In a large bowl, toss the fries with olive oil. Add the chipotle chile powder, honey, salt and pepper and arrange the fries in a single layer without crowding them (this is very important - I used two baking sheets). Bake for 20 minutes, remove and toss, then bake for another 15-20 minutes. I like to start checking them at 15 minutes just to make sure that none are burning or getting too crisp.
Recipe Notes
*If you are in a hurry, you can skip searing the meat and just add it directly to the crockpot. However, I find that searing the meat really boosts the flavor. **TO MAKE IN TH OVEN: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Heat a large heavy bottomed soup pot to high heat. Rub the steak all over with olive oil and season with salt + pepper. Sear the meat on both sides until, light char marks appear, about 3 minutes. To the pot, add all the remaining ingredients except the beans (start with 4 cups chicken broth and add the remaining 2 towards the end of cooking if desired). Cover and cook for 4-5 hours, string once or twice. Just before serving, shred the meat with two forks. It should easily fall apart. Stir in the beans. If you like a soupy chili, add more chicken broth to your liking. Plate as directed above
But one thing, double up on the cheese. Well two things – DON’T skimp on the potatoes either! Mmmm, K?! Cool! 🙂
perfection!
This is pure brilliance! I am loving everything about it, bring on football season! Okay, and YES do a whole post on you’re new little cutie. I’m dying to see him!
P.S. I’m so glad your Pinterest account is okay!
hmmmmmm this looks so good!! I’m a very big fan of chilli, and love cooking with beer, so this one’s already a winner to me!
http://bloglairdutemps.blogspot.pt
Have zero experience cooking with beer. Thanks for sharing as I’m trying to learn! Would love a cook Canadian beer themed cheese soup (like the one you get in Disney World) No idea if you would know how to replicate that. I used to not like cats and then I got married. I love cats now! Like Cheryl, now I’d be good with a whole Snape post.
Flank steak is $17.61 a pound here. When you say “carne asada meat” what kind beef cut would that be? Just a cheap cut of any beef? Thank you for posting this recipe as I look forward to making it.
Hi! Yes, you could use any cheap cut if price is an issue. Hope you love this!
I love fritos on chili…the best…and an entire blog on kitty pictures please!!!
I would love to see an entire post about Snape! And what is carne Assad meat? Thanks.
Can’t get enough of your food photography. I’m going to try this chili recipe for my birthday dinner tonight. Thanks for the recipe.
<3 Dani
http://www.hauteinparadise.com
Please post picture of your little one! I agree with you Tieghan, there are an infinitesimal amount of reasons to love fall. Chili and football, pumpkins and butternut squash to name a few. Thanks for your inspiration!
This chili has everything going for it!! Beautiful photos (as usual), and yes – me too – dying to see your new kitty! (Loved seeing your goats in the video!)
This looks fantastic. Flank steak is pretty pricey around here, wondering what I could sub it. Can’t wait to try this Tieghan and please do a whole post about Snape!
This looks amazing! We don’t have football Thursdays in the UK, but I’m gonna pretend, just so I can eat this tonight! And Yesssss! Full on whole kitty post!!! I have a feeling that Snape is sooooo sweet that a few snaps just ain’t gonna cut it!
Hi – what type of beer did you use for this recipe? Thanks!
Hi Stacey! I used a pumpkin beer for this. THANKS!
Mmm, this looks delicious! So nice and cozy and perfect for fall. I’d love a whole kitty post, please!!!
Thanks Susan!
Love chili season!!! One of my favorite things about fall. I could basically eat soup three times a day and be a happy girl 🙂
Thanks so much, Laura! Have a great weekend!
looks delicious! One quick question – can I leave out the apple butter or is there an easy substitution for it? I have everything else on hand.
Hi!! You can leave it out or swap apple sauce, fig jam, pumpkin butter or just 2 tablespoons honey and or brown sugar. Hope you love this and thank you!
I can’t wait to make this chili for my footballing love friends!
YAY!! Thanks Nicole! Hope everyone loves this!
OH yay! I was hoping you would have another chili recipe soon. Chili is my very favorite thing about fall and I am always looking for new recipes to try. This looks GREAT!
YEAH!! Thank you so much, Chelsea!! Have a great weekend!!
Love the sound of this…maybe substitute crunched up hard taco shell “chips” for the Fritos for a more “taco” like taste…sneak some shredded lettuce past the “green averse” eaters.
Oh that sounds fun and awesome! Thanks Amy! Hope you love this!!
1. This chili looks amazing! Like, for real. 2. Snape sounds like the cutest thing ever, and I think snapshots would be super fun! 3. I’m so glad the Pinterest thing worked out! That sounds so stressful!
Happy Thursday!
xx Sydney
THANK YOU!! 🙂
Very relieve about the pinterest situation!
This looks beyond good! I noticed you had your chili in a Dutch oven, do you have a recommendation for how long and what temp in the oven?
Oops! Just saw that you did include an oven method! Your the best!
hehe! Thank you so much! Hope you love this chili!
If you’re feeling up to a whole post, I love any kind of adorable animal pics and lots of them… 😉 And your kitty sounds the sweetest!
Thanks Hannah! Have a great weekend!
Great chili–love the corn and frito additions.
I want to see the little kitten.
Thank you so much, Nancy! Have a great weekend!
A dedicated post about your fur baby and then random photos often so that we can watch Snape grow. This chili is going to happen in my kitchen soon. But since I’m in California and the temps are still in the mid 90s it will have to wait a while. Your photography is breathtaking as always.
Thanks Maralyn!! Hope it cools off soon so you can make this!! 🙂
Hoping to get a cat post up soonish! 🙂
Need this chili, love your posts with gorgeous photos and MUST have a dedicated post about Snape. Life as you know it as a dog person is over and as he snuggles in and wraps up your heart with a perfect little fur covered bow, I would be happy to see random photos of and comments about Snape at least once a week. =)
Having a hard time adding up the ingredients in my head. Do you think it would fit into my 4QT Crockpot or would it be too tight? Thanks!
Haha! I will try and figure out a way to work in a post about the little guy! 🙂
A 4QT crockpot shout just fit! Hope you love this and thank you!
this looks fantastic! Thank you for sharing this.
Thanks Kat! Have a great week!
My husband doesnt eat beef/pork, do you think this would taste okay with Chicken or another protein substitute?
HI Caitlin,
I think that chicken would be awesome! Just sub and equal amount for the beef and no need to sear it on the stove. Let me know if you have any other questions. THANKs!!
Mmmmmm, chiliiiiiii! Since my sister is vegan, I’ll replace the steak with more beans or vegan beef!
Made this chili tonight but substituted ground turkey for the steak. Totally not the same, but it came out delicious. Your combination of seasoning was so rich and was an great base. I used a fall ale for the beer. The fries were also delish! Thank you!
YEAH! So happy you liked this, THANK YOU!!
Big fan of the base to the dish, a great depth of flavor with the dark chocolate and then I doubled up with a chocolate stout for the beer. I went with beef chuck ($6/lb) that I crusted heavily, it was amazingly tender. Added some fire roasted Anaheim chilis as well. They jalapeños are a must, don’t skip them! They added a perfect heat to the dish.
Looking to build upon the dish again!
I just wanted to say that I love your food photography and food styling – so beautiful!!
And this dish looks so amazing!! Can’t wait to make it
So I made this last night for dinner. My 17 year old couldn’t wait for leftovers tonight! It truly was fantastic….for several reasons. One being its a crockpot recipe, so single mom genius!! I loved having to only prep the toppings when I came home from a day at work. Thanks for making me look awesome once again in the kitchen 🙂
I see a bay leaf in your dutch oven shot but not on the ingredients list. Are my eyes deceiving me?
Hi! I made this in the crockpot today with 4 cups of chicken broth and 2lbs stew meat. It is really soupy not like chili at all…how do I make it thicker? Pour out some soup juice and freeze for a base later?
HI! I would cook the soup on high, uncovered over for 20-30 minutes until it thickens. That will solve your issue. Hope you love this! Sorry it was a little soupy for your liking!
I ran into a few issues with this one:
1. I used 4 cups of broth (in addition to 12 oz of beer) that barely fit in my Crockpot and was surprised that an additional 2 cups of broth was suggested given how soupy it was with 4. I’m glad to see your October 15 (2015) reply about how to thicken the chili. Thank you.
2. The combination of spices in the ingredients list was compelling, and I loved the suggestions for toppings (Fritos? Genius!), but I was baffled when my first bowl turned out so bland. I added more salt, pepper, cumin and chipotle chili powder and it helped.
3. Next time I might cut the flank steak into small chunks instead of shredding it given the shreds were a little long (or cut it somewhat before shredding). Not a big problem.
Despite the lessons learned on my first attempt to replicate one of your recipes, I am not deterred. I’m more than a little intrigued by your recipe collections and unique approach to each one. Glad I found Half Baked Harvest. Keep up the good work:^)
This chili turned out fabulous, however I did need to tweak it A LOT to rid it of its soupyness.
1. I transferred the chili to a stock bot and gave it a good boil in its final 30 minutes, this thickened it up to a good consistency.
2. I still wanted it a bit thicker, I added about a half of a cup of flour
3. Instead of grilling the corn to top it (seemed like too many toppings) I added a can of sweet corn.
4. I pretty much doubled all of the spices, the cocoa gave it a really good rich flavor.
5. I exxed the potato wedges, they really werent needed, but the squeeze of lime for each portion made it AMAZING.
All in all I think it all depends on preference, but it was delicious either way. Ill be making it again!
Happy you loved it! Thank you and for tips on making it thicker! Happy new Year! 🙂
First of all I would like to say great blog! I had a quick
question which I’d like to ask if you do not mind.
I was interested to know how you center yourself and clear your thoughts prior
to writing. I have had difficulty clearing my thoughts in getting my thoughts out.
I truly do enjoy writing but it just seems like the first 10 to 15
minutes tend to be lost simply just trying to figure out how to begin. Any ideas or hints?
Kudos!
How would you recommend I tweak the ingredient amounts to make about a gallon or so of this chili? Thanks!
Hey Sara, I am sorry, I do not feel comfortable converting the recipe to a gallon as I really do not know what the measurements would be. So sorry.
I haven’t read all through the comments and by now I’m going to assume Snape is full grown, but kittens:
we learned to clear rooms and close doors afterwards by looking under furniture, keeping toilet lids down–all the time, anything that could have a clear pane was a good thing–washer and dry both have doors where we can see the interiors, even refrigerators can have clear doors nowadays (but expensive, I’m sure) but that was one thing they didn’t find fascinating/worth exploring–Thank God, and we didn’t walk normally (we walked shuffling our feet so we didn’t step on the little beasties) until they were grown. Yes, it was nice when they were finally aware enough to be nimble about our feet. LOL Mingus (Mr. Fearless) and Carlton (Mr. Feed Me Now) are a hoot and bed hogs given a chance. Have fun with your fur baby.
Yes Snape is full grown, but these are great tips! And definitely are helpful for kittens! Thank you Felicia!
I made this tonight and it was so delicious!! I used Trader Joe’s Carne Asada marinated meat, Dos Equis Amber Beer, and I only used 1 cup of the chicken broth. I made this in my instant pot and ended up boiling it down for 30 min at the end to get the right consistency for us. The flavor profile was amazing! Will definitely make this one again!
That is so great! Thank you Sonya!
The lime juice and jalepanos are not in the recipe to add to the crock pot during cooking so mine turned out bland. Only way I knew was after the fact watching the video. May want to change it
Hi Gena! So sorry about that, I will fix it. Thank you!
Where is the beer in this recipe?
Right above the broth. Let me know if you still don’t see it. It’s a 12 ounce beer. Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂
Made this yesterday and am looking forward to the leftovers tonight with a hefty piece of cornbread! Love the chili- I doubled down on the cacao powder (because I like it) and added a chopped chipotle pepper and some adobo sauce for some heat. Husband and I both really enjoyed it a lot. My one bit of feedback: I think it’s unnecessary to use a good steak like flank or hangar (what I used) in this recipe since it slow cooks. By the end of 4 hours the meat had broken down more than I like and while it’s still really, really tasty, I think that I would have had better results with a chuck roast (thicker grain) and it would have been cheaper, too.
I am so glad this turned out so well for you, Kristen! Thank you!
Going to try this at my neighbors chili contest this weekend 🙂 I’ll let you know how it goes!
How fun! You’ll do great! Let us know when you win 😉 X Kelly
I’m not sure what recipe was used in the pictures from this post. It certainly wasn’t what was published. Like many others, mine was very thin, more so than most soup I make, and the meat was not tender. Followed the recipe to the letter, other that the cut of steak. The author said in a previous post that other cuts would work just as well.The pictures on the post look like chili, nothing like what my pot of chili looks like. Wondering if the pictures are actually from the oven version. Much more cooked down and thick like chili should be.
Hey Janette, I am so sorry you had trouble with this recipe. What cut of meat did you use and how long did you cook for? For a thicker chili, just leave the top off the crockpot for the last hour of cooking. This will thicken it up. As for the meat, I need some more details on what you used. Hoping I can help figure out what might be happening! Sorry for the trouble.
Way too much liquid, steak didn’t become tender. In no way did the slow cooker version look like the picture on the post.
Usually there is less liquid used in a slow cooker than on the stove top or in the oven. This post says to use the same amount for both methods. Not a fan.
Hi Janette! I am really sorry you did not like this recipe! Please let me know if you have any questions! Otherwise, I hope you love some other recipes of mine!! xTieghan
There is a leaf in the fourth picture but i don’t see any leaves in the recipe ingredients… Is this a secret herb!? what is it? Just bought the ingredients and am excited to make this!
Hi Alma! It is a bay leaf! It is great with or without it! I hope you love this recipe! xTieghan
Delicious chili! For anyone concerned about the “soupiness,” I halved the total amount of liquid (so used 2 c chicken broth and 6 oz beer), but left everything else the same, and it was the perfect traditional “chili” consistency when cooked in my Dutch oven in my real oven for 4 hours at 325 degrees. Can’t speak for how those measurements would turn out in the crockpot, but if follow instructions given to leave the crockpot lid off for the last hour to thicken it, I’m sure it would be great! I don’t love chunks of tomatoes so next time, I may purée the diced tomatoes before adding. I used a “London broil” cut of beef because that’s what seemed reasonable and available, and it’s fall apart tender and delicious.
Amazing! I am really glad this turned out so well for you, Abby! Thank you for trying this and leaving suggestions for others! xTieghan