Venison Chili is a versatile and delicious dish that you can make with ground deer meat and some pantry staples. It’s perfect for the cold months of hunting season or any time you crave some comfort food.
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Chili
The origins of chili are not very clear, but most historians agree that it is a dish that was created in Texas by immigrants, cowboys, and soldiers, who used chili peppers, meat, and spices to make a hearty stew. Some sources also suggest that chili has some influences from Mexican and Spanish cuisines, as well as Native American traditions.
Why This Ground Meat Deer Chili Recipe is a Keeper
Venison chili is a delicious way to use ground deer meat in a hearty and satisfying dish. Venison is leaner than beef, so it benefits from some extra flavor and moisture. It is one of the best venison recipes.
- 30 Minute Meal: Sick of venison burgers? Make this venison chili recipe in minutes.
- Easy Ingredients: All found in pantry, just add the ground venison and the rest of the ingredients, you can easily double the recipe for later.
- Adaptable: You can do a lot to make this venison chili recipe your own. For instance, if you do not like beans, you do not need to add them. I followed the recipe exactly and it turned out amazing.
- Family Favorite: My family will eat chili every day.
If you’re looking for more chili recipes, try these: Leftover Brisket Chili, Velveeta Chili Cheese Dip, and Stovetop Chili.
What is the Difference between Ground beef and Ground Venison?
Ground beef and ground venison are both types of red meat, but they have some nutritional and taste differences. Ground beef is higher in calories, fat, and saturated fat than ground venison. Venison is richer and has a more gamey flavor and beef is juicer and more mild.
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Ingredient Notes for Easy Venison Chili Recipe
- Venison Burger Meat: Using ground venison makes for a lean healthy chili. If you do not have venison, you can make a turkey chili recipe.
- Canned Beans: Use any can of beans that you like your chili to have.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Variations and Substitutions for the Best Venison Chili
This excellent recipe for the best chili recipes is easy to customize just like a beef chili recipe. Make on the stove top, or in the instant pot or crock pot.
- Change up the chili beans: You can use any type of beans for chili that you like in venison chili, such as black beans, pinto beans, or cannellini beans.
- Add some veggies: You can sneak in some extra vegetables in venison chili, such as carrots, celery, corn, or zucchini.
- Make it creamy: For a creamier texture, you can stir in some sour cream, cream cheese, or shredded cheese at the end of the cooking. Add broth if you like a thinner sauce.
Special Equipment Needed for Hearty Ground Venison Recipe
Use a pressure cooker or a let the chili cook in the slow cooker. If you use a slow cooker brown the venison meat first.
- Dutch Oven: Use a large pot or a Dutch oven to make the chili.
How to Make Venison Chili
Easily make venison chili by browning the meat, adding the beans and other ingredients, and cooking to perfection. Chili on the stove is easy and delicious to the bottom of the pot. Just add the venison and brown, then throw in the rest of the ingredients and dinner is done.
These are the basic steps for making Venison Meat Chili. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
STEP 1: Brown the Game Meat
First, in a large pot, add onion, bell pepper, garlic and all purpose seasoning. Then add ground vension to the pot and brown. Cook over medium high heat until venison is no longer pink. Then, drain excess fat from ground meat.
STEP 2: Add the Kidney Beans and Other Ingredients
Stir chili powder mix, brown sugar, chili in adobo, and flour into meat mixture. Cook for 2 minutes. Then add the remaining ingredients, crushed tomatoes, red kidney beans and black beans. Stir until combined.
STEP 3: Simmer the Venison Stew
Finally, reduce heat to medium, cover and cook for 30 minutes. Serve with your favorite chili toppings.
Recipe FAQs for the Best Venison Recipe
Expert Tips for Making This Best Venison Chili Recipe
This hearty venison chili can be made so many different ways. Instant Pot venison chili is great. Or make in the crock pot. Bring the chili to football games or family gatherings.
- Use fresh citrus juice: One of the secret ingredients for venison chili is acid, such as fresh lime and orange juice. This helps to brighten up the flavor and balance the earthiness of the venison. Add some Worcestershire sauce to add more depth and umami to this classic chili.
- Spice it up: Venison chili can handle a lot of spices, so don’t be shy with the chili powder, cumin, oregano, and other seasonings.
- Add some bacon or chorizo: Venison is very lean, so adding some fatty pork can help to make the chili more rich and flavorful.
- Simmer low and slow in a Slow Cooker: Venison chili tastes better the longer it cooks. The flavors meld and the meat becomes more tender. Simmer it on the stove for at least an hour. Use a crock pot or an instant pot for more convenience. Just make sure to adjust the liquid amount accordingly.
- Combine: Combine a pound of ground venison and beef when making this recipe for a great chili.
What to Serve with Popular Recipes
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Venison Chili
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds Ground venison
- 1 Onion, diced
- 1 Bell pepper, diced
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons All Purpose Seasoning Blend
- 3 tablespoons Chili Seasoning Mix
- 2 tablespoons Brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons chili in adobo
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 29 ounces Crushed tomatoes, 1 can
- 15.5 ounces Kidney beans, 1 can
- 15.5 ounces Black beans, 1 can
Instructions
- In a large pot, add ground venison, onion, bell pepper, garlic and House Seasoning blend and cook over medium high heat until meat is no longer pink.
- Drain excess fat from meat.
- Stir chili seasoning mix, brown sugar, chili in adobo and flour into meat mixture; Cook for 2 minutes.
- Add crushed tomatoes, kidney beans and black beans; Stir until combined.
- Reduce heat to medium, cover and cook for 30 minutes.
- Serve with your favorite chili toppings.
Expert Tips
- Use fresh citrus juice: One of the secret ingredients for venison chili is acid, such as fresh lime and orange juice. This helps to brighten up the flavor and balance the earthiness of the venison. You can also add some Worcestershire sauce for more depth and umami.
- Spice it up: Venison chili can handle a lot of spices, so don’t be shy with the chili powder, cumin, oregano, and other seasonings.
- Add some bacon or chorizo: Venison is very lean, so adding some fatty pork can help to make the chili more rich and flavorful.
- Simmer low and slow: Venison chili tastes better the longer it cooks, as the flavors meld and the meat becomes more tender. You can simmer it on the stove for at least an hour, or use a slow cooker or an instant pot for more convenience. Just make sure to adjust the liquid amount accordingly.