20 Best Beer-Based Recipes That Go Beyond St. Patrick's Day
Your favorite brew just got even better.
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For beer drinkers, there's nothing like that relaxing first sip of a freshly opened can or bottle. Beyond that, there's actually a lot you can do with the many types of beer out there. When St. Patrick's Day rolls around and the Irish beers are flowing, you can't help but use a bottle or two making traditional Irish foods like savory pies and stew recipes. You can even make St. Patrick's Day desserts with Guinness like homemade cakes and brownie recipes! You'll find those and so more on this list.
Of course, not all beer-based recipes are Irish nor do you need to wait until St. Paddy's to make them even if they are. Beer makes an excellent braising liquid and flavoring agent, so you'll find it in everything from cozy chili recipes for the colder months to plenty of summer cookout staples like beer brats and beer can chicken. After all, what better time is there to crack open a cold one?
Beer is great for deglazing a pan and adding a fizzy lift to the batter when you're about to fry. It's great to drink, too, obviously. But you don't have to just open and sip. Nope, you can make a tasty float as a treat, a spicy cocktail for Tex-Mex night, and even dye it green for the holiday regardless if you've got Irish heritage. So go on, save one or two from that six-pack and head into the kitchen to try these recipes you can make with a bottle of beer.
Instant Pot Corned Beef
Nothing says St. Patrick's Day quite like corned beef. But making the classic meal can take quite some time to cook. Use your Instant Pot and make it way faster!
Get the Instant Pot Corned Beef recipe.
Steak and Potato Pie
You don't have to be in Ireland to enjoy a hearty meat pie. Make one at home with a flaky crust and a savory filling of beef, potatoes, veggies, and Guinness beer.
Get Ree's Steak and Potato Pie recipe.
Beer Cheese Dip
You can use whatever beer you like best to make this party dip. Anything from a hoppy IPA to lighter pilsners and lagers would work well. Don't forget the pretzels for dipping!
Get the Beer Cheese Dip recipe.
Beer Brats
Braising brats in beer makes them extra plump and juicy. Paired with tender, sweet onions, they make a crowd favorite at cookouts. Serve them with German potato salad and watch them disappear.
Get the Beer Brats recipe.
Chocolate Guinness Cake
It may sound strange at first but the slightly bitter, malty flavor of a stout beer like Guinness pairs up nicely with dark chocolate. Plus, you won't be able to resist the Irish cream frosting!
Get the Chocolate Guinness Cake recipe.
Beef Stew with Beer and Paprika
Hello, pure comfort food! Grab whatever can of beer you've got in the fridge and let it help braise the beef to tender perfection. With carrots and potatoes included, you've got a one-pot meal.
Get Ree's Beef Stew with Beer and Paprika recipe.
Beer Battered Fish
Beer adds flavor and fizzy lift to batter, making it light and crunchy once it puffs up in the oil. Make it a real fish and chips experience by making French fries as a side.
Get the Beer Battered Fish recipe.
Beer Can Chicken
A can of light lager will work wonders on the grill. It'll deliver a tender, juicy, and flavorful chicken. Plus, you won't need frequent flipping or turning either!
Get the Beer Can Chicken recipe.
Beer Bread
Even people who aren't fans of beer won't be able to resist a slice of fresh bread. It adds a malty, yeasty flavor that pairs beautifully with cheese if you're so inclined to add it.
Get the Beer Bread recipe.
Guinness Brownies
Adding Guinness will help intensify the rich, fudgy flavor of these brownies. Then add in a swirl of cream cheese to make them extra addictive.
Get the Guinness Brownies recipe.
Chipotle Chili Dogs
While you can simmer a flavorful chili with meat, spices, and a dark lager and enjoy it as is, it's even better when piled on a hot dog. Top with cheddar cheese and chopped white onions.
Get Ree's Chipotle Chili Dogs recipe.
Corned Beef and Cabbage
Ree makes this classic dish for St. Patrick's Day and it's worth the wait! The meat becomes fork tender and pairs perfectly with beer-braised cabbage on the side.
Get Ree's Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe.
Michelada with Crushed Tortilla Chip Rim
If you've never had a michelada, it's s slightly spicy Mexican cocktail, featuring savory notes from tomato juice, chili powder, and Worcestershire sauce mixed with a light beer.
Irish Brown Bread
Traditional Irish brown bread has a nutty, complex flavor thanks to (surprise!) Guinness. It's a very versatile bread that you can serve for breakfast with butter and jam or with dinner to sop up that stew.
Get Ree's Irish Brown Bread recipe.
Guinness Float
Don't knock it until you try it! Ree says swapping out your usual soda for Guinness in a float makes it "curiously delicious" and you can enjoy it any time of year.
Get Ree's Guinness Float recipe.
Braised Beef with Onions
If you're a fan of a big ol' pot of braised meat to cure what ales you, the swap your liquid to beer for a change of pace. Just make sure to salt it a little more if you usually use broth.
Get Ree's Braised Beef with Onions recipe.
Chipotle Chicken Chili
The best way to combat cold weather is with a warm bowl of smokey, spiced-up chili. A bottle of beer helps keep everything flavorful and moist as it cooks down.
Get Ree's Chipotle Chicken Chili recipe.
Green Beer
Is it St. Paddy's Day without a green beer? That's hard to say. But if you want to make one, all you have to do is pick a lighter beer and add some green food coloring!
Get the Green Beer recipe.
Welsh Rarebit
If you've never had this dish and aren't quite sure what it is, Ree describes it as a "traditional English dish of savory cheese sauce served over toast." And who doesn't love cheese sauce?
Get Ree's Welsh Rarebit recipe.
Veggie Chili
While you don't have to add it, swapping out one cup of broth for a light Mexican lager will give this vegetarian dish another layer of flavor.
Get Ree's Veggie Chili recipe.
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