While beer and soup might not necessarily pair well together, mixing a cold one into soup is a different story entirely. Beer adds a rich flavor to beef and veggie soups alike, and we all have a can of beer in our fridge that’s dying for us to use it.

Check out some of our favorite beer soup and stew recipes to try on a cold fall or winter day.

Veggie Chili with Beer

Veggie chili feeds a crowd, is a wonderful option for both carnivores and vegetarians alike, and when it’s paired with homemade cornbread, you can’t go wrong.

Ingredients

2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder
1 medium yellow bell pepper, chopped
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 large carrot, chopped
1 cup wheat beer, red ale or lager
1 14-1/2 ounce can fire-roasted tomatoes, puree
1 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

In a large pot, heat the olive oil. Saute the onion for five minutes over medium heat, until soft.
Add the chili powder and chipotle and stir until fragrant, then add the peppers, carrot and beer. Raise heat to high and bring to a boil, then cover and reduce to medium-low for 5 minutes.
Uncover and add the remaining ingredients, stirring to combine. Simmer for another 5-10 minutes to combine the flavors and thicken the chili.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Co+op

Beef and Guinness Stew

Guinness and beef stew recipe — Photo Courtesy of RecipeTin Eats

Whether it’s a cold autumn night or St. Paddy’s Day, this beef and Guinness beer stew is sure to warm your bones.

Beef chuck is cut into cubes and doused with salt and pepper before being seared and braised for 2 hours.

Guinness beer is a must-add in this recipe as it creates a sauce with a deep, complex flavor that’s perfectly savory, especially when it’s paired with beef.

Serve your beef and Guinness stew over mashed potatoes with a side of roasted carrots.

Find the full recipe at RecipeTin Eats

Chili Con Carne

texas chili recipe — Photo Courtesy of Once Upon a Chef

Also known as Texas Beef Chili, you can think of chili con carne as a sort of beef stew meets beef chili.

Featuring a spicy, smoky sauce and tender pieces of beef chuck, this stew features lager beer to help break down the meat and make it extra tender.

Serve your chili con carne with plenty of fresh chopped cilantro and lots of grated cheese.

Find the full recipe at Once Upon a Chef

Beer Cheese Soup

Beer, cheese, and soup are all amazing culinary items just on their own. But when you bring them together?

You get some cheesy soup magic that’s super quick and easy, too!

Simply cook up your bacon and veggies, stir in some flour, whisk in the beer and broth, add your spices, and stir in your cheese.

In less than an hour, you’ll have a bubbling, cheesy soup perfect for a cold weeknight.

Don’t forget to serve it with some broiled cheese toasts to bring it all together!

Find the full recipe at Spend With Pennies

Brie and Cheddar Apple Beer Soup

Now, what’s the best way to make beer cheese soup fall-out delicious? Add apples and a can of pumpkin beer, of course!

This is another soup that comes together fairly quickly and utilizes an immersion blender to give the soup a nice, smooth texture.

Serve it with some homemade soft pretzels to really give this recipe that Oktoberfest feel.

Find the full recipe at Half Baked Harvest

Tortilla Soup with Beer

As the description for this recipe says, letting your soup get a little “drunk” gives it that extra bit of flavor that makes this classic tortilla soup a dash hoppy and absolutely delicious.

Onions and peppers are cooked along with jalapeños, garlic, and plenty of Mexican spices before being simmered in chicken broth.

Boneless skinless chicken breast is added and cooked through before being shredded and added back to the pot.

Top your tortilla soup with all the fixins’ including avocado, cheese, tomatoes, sour cream, and of course, crushed tortilla chips.

Find the full recipe at Food & Wine

Guinness Lamb Stew with Vegetables

Guinness lamb stew recipe — Photo Courtesy of Once Upon a Chef

Here’s another take on Guinness beer stew, but with lamb serving as the protein as opposed to beef!

Traditionally, lamb and sheep are eaten in Ireland, so if you’re looking to really embrace Irish culture, this recipe is the way to go.

Pair your lamb stew with a traditional homemade Irish soda bread and of course, a Guinness.