Description

Hearty Venison Chili is a flavorful, protein-packed dish featuring tender ground venison simmered with a blend of spices, tomatoes, beans, and savory broth. This comforting chili is perfect for chilly days and offers a rich depth of flavor with hints of cocoa and brown sugar balanced by a blend of herbs and spices.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Aromatics

1 lb Ground Venison (or any ground meat)
2 tablespoon Olive Oil (or deer tallow)
1 Small Onion, diced
4 Cloves Garlic, minced

Liquids and Canned Goods

1 1/2 Cups Beef Stock or Venison Broth
10 oz Tomatoes and Diced Chilis
2 15 oz Cans Light Red Kidney Beans, drained and rinsed
16 oz Tomato Sauce
2 tablespoon Tomato Paste

Spices and Flavorings

1 tablespoon Chili Powder
2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
1/2 teaspoon Dried Basil
1/2 teaspoon Dried Rosemary
1/4 teaspoon Mustard Powder
1/4 teaspoon Paprika
1/4 teaspoon Dried Thyme
1/8 teaspoon Celery Seed
1/4 teaspoon Dried Parsley
1/8 teaspoon Cumin
1/8 teaspoon Cayenne
1 tablespoon Brown Sugar
1 tablespoon Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

Instructions

Brown the meat: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground venison, breaking it apart as it cooks. Once browned, stir in the diced onion and minced garlic; cook until the onion is soft and the garlic is fragrant.
Season: Sprinkle in the chili powder, salt, black pepper, dried basil, dried rosemary, mustard powder, paprika, dried thyme, celery seed, dried parsley, cumin, and cayenne. Stir to evenly coat the meat and onion mixture with the spices. Then add the diced tomatoes and green chilis, mixing well to combine.
Build the chili: Reduce the heat to low and add the drained kidney beans, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and beef stock or venison broth. Stir thoroughly, making sure to scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot for added flavor.
Simmer: Cover the pot and let the chili cook over low heat for 30 minutes. Afterward, uncover and allow it to simmer gently for another 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chili thickens and the flavors meld together beautifully.
Serve: Ladle the hearty venison chili into bowls and garnish with your favorite chili toppings such as shredded cheese, chopped green onions, sour cream, or any other preferred condiments.

Notes

For a spicier chili, increase the cayenne pepper or add diced jalapeños with the tomatoes.
Ground beef can be used as a substitute if venison is unavailable.
Simmering uncovered at the end helps thicken the chili for a richer texture.
Leftover chili tastes great the next day after flavors have fully melded.
Serve with cornbread or over rice for a more filling meal.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Venison chili, hearty chili, game meat recipes, spicy chili, ground venison recipe