Venison Chili Recipe (2024)

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I recently got my hands on some ground venison. If you’re unfamiliar, venison is basically deer meat! I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it, especially with the weather cooling down – make some Venison Chili!

This Venison Chili is insanely delicious – I don’t want to say it is the best one ever as I will admit I’ve not yet gotten the chance to try every Chili recipe out there ever, but I will say this is definitely the best Chili I’ve ever made or tasted! The fact that venison is very rich and earthy might have something to do with it.

Also, another great thing about this chili recipe is that it’s actually not that hard to make. The ingredients list might seem a little long but most of it is delicious spices that will create the best aromatic flavor for your chili!

Where to buy Venison

I actually know someone that hunts! So I got mine from them, but they do sell it often in grocery stores. If you can’t find any locally, you could try online meat ordering places! For example,Steaks and Game – they ship to anywhere in the US other than Alaska and Hawaii!

Customizations

There’s a couple of customizations you can make if you would prefer.

Beans

I am not the biggest fan of beans, so I actually do not add any beans in this. If you do not add beans, this recipe is also paleo and keto friendly. However, if you are not eating a paleo or keto diet and you want some beans in your chili, you can add 1 can red kidney beans, drained to the chili.

Ground Beef

I usually make this with ground venison, but it’s not always super easy to find. If you do not have venison, you can substitute with ground beef. The spice blend is so tasty – so it will also be delicious with ground beef!

Crockpot / Slow Cooker Version

If you want to go one step further on the ‘sit back and relax’ scale, you can also make this chili in the crockpot or slow cooker! I have the crockpot / slow cooker instructions listed below also!

Ingredients

  • 4tablespoonsolive oil, separated in to 2 tbsp
  • 1 largeonion,chopped (about 1-1/2 cups)
  • 2green bell pepper, chopped
  • 4 tsp minced garlic
  • 2poundsground venison
  • 2(10 ounce) cansdiced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1(28 ounce) cantomato puree
  • 1/2 cup of water or beef broth
  • Spices:
    • 1/4cupchili powder
    • 2tablespoonscumin
    • 2tablespoons smoked paprika
    • 1tablespoondried oregano
    • 2teaspoonsdried thyme
    • 2teaspoonschipotle chili powder
    • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Venison Chili Recipe (1)

Stove Top Version

In a large soup pot, heat 2 tbsp of olive oil over medium high heat. Add onions and bell peppers and saute for about 5 minutes.

Add another 2 tbsp, and add garlic, ground venison, and all the spices to the pot. Break apart the ground venison with a wooden spoon. If it is too ‘dry’ at this point add some water/beef broth. Sauté for about 10 minutes, or until the venison is browned.

Venison Chili Recipe (2)
Venison Chili Recipe (3)

Add the rest of the water or broth (if any is left), diced tomatoes (undrained), and tomato puree. Mix well.

Venison Chili Recipe (4)
Venison Chili Recipe (5)

Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to low and let it simmer covered about 15 minutes. Then uncover and let it continue simmering for 30 minutes.

Venison Chili Recipe (6)

Add shredded cheddar cheese and chopped scallions optionally!

Slow Cooker Version

In a large sauté pan, heat 2 tbsp of olive oil over medium high heat. Add onions and bell peppers and saute for about 5 minutes.

Add another 2 tbsp, and add garlic, ground venison, and all the spices to the pot. Break apart the ground venison with a wooden spoon. If it is too ‘dry’ at this point add some water/beef broth. Sauté for about 10 minutes, or until the venison is browned.

Add the rest of the water or broth (if any is left), diced tomatoes (undrained), and tomato puree. Mix well and transfer to slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.

Add shredded cheddar cheese and chopped scallions optionally when serving!

Venison Chili Recipe (7)
Venison Chili Recipe (8)
Venison Chili Recipe (9)
Venison Chili Recipe (10)

Prep Time15 minutes

Cook Time45 minutes

Total Time1 hour

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons olive oil, separated in to 2 tbsp
  • 1 large onion, chopped (about 1-1/2 cups)
  • 2 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 4 tsp minced garlic
  • 2 pounds ground venison
  • 2 (10 ounce) cans diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 (28 ounce) can tomato puree
  • 1/2 cup of water or beef broth

Spices:

  • 1/4 cup chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons cumin
  • 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons dried thyme
  • 2 teaspoons chipotle chili powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Stove Top Version

  1. In a large soup pot, heat 2 tbsp of olive oil over medium high heat. Add onions and bell peppers and saute for about 5 minutes.
  2. Add another 2 tbsp, and add garlic, ground venison, and all the spices to the pot. Break apart the ground venison with a wooden spoon. If it is too ‘dry’ at this point add some water/beef broth. Sauté for about 10 minutes, or until the venison is browned.
  3. Add the rest of the water or broth (if any is left), diced tomatoes (undrained), and tomato puree. Mix well.
  4. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to low and let it simmer covered about 15 minutes. Then uncover and let it continue simmering for 30 minutes.
  5. Add shredded cheddar cheese and chopped scallions optionally!

Slow Cooker Version

  1. In a large sauté pan, heat 2 tbsp of olive oil over medium high heat. Add onions and bell peppers and saute for about 5 minutes.
  2. Add another 2 tbsp, and add garlic, ground venison, and all the spices to the pot. Break apart the ground venison with a wooden spoon. If it is too ‘dry’ at this point add some water/beef broth. Sauté for about 10 minutes, or until the venison is browned.
  3. Add the rest of the water or broth (if any is left), diced tomatoes (undrained), and tomato puree. Mix well and transfer to slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.
  4. Add shredded cheddar cheese and chopped scallions optionally when serving!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 303Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 111mgSodium: 414mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 4gSugar: 4gProtein: 33g

The nutrition information for this recipe is an approximate total per serving. Please double check the nutrition information for your exact ingredients and brands for more precise nutrition information.

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Venison Chili Recipe (18)

Looking for more meaty recipes like this Venison chili? Check out all my meaty recipes here!

Venison Chili Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How to make deer chili not taste gamey? ›

Venison chili is a great venison recipe for those who don't like the gamey taste of venison. The beer, broth and spices in the chili help to remove gamey flavor, while simultaneity infusing the ground venison with all the delicious flavors of the chili.

Does venison chili taste gamey? ›

Brown venison and onion in a large dutch oven pot. Stir in Chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, salt, & black pepper when venison is partially browned. (This will allow the meat to soak in the seasonings and give the chili a less “gamey” flavor)

What is deer chili made of? ›

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook venison, onion and garlic in oil until meat is browned. Transfer to a slow cooker and stir together with chiles, beans, broth oregano, cumin, salt and paprika. Cook on medium 4 to 5 hours.

What not to put in chili? ›

Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.

What is the most important spice in chili? ›

Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

What takes the gamey taste out of venison? ›

Information. The distinct game flavor of either birds or animals will be milder after soaking the meat overnight in the refrigerator in either a salt or vinegar solution. 2. Vinegar solution - 1 cup per quart of cold water.

How do you make ground venison taste better? ›

Depending on what you're planning to cook, you may want to add fat to your ground venison. This added fat can be bacon, pork shoulder, pork belly, beef tallow, etc. It's purely personal preference. I always add about 15-20 percent fat if I'm making hamburger or kebabs, which makes the meat juicier and more flavorful.

How do you cook venison so it's not gamey? ›

Soaking it

Instead, try soaking the meat in milk or even buttermilk, which will produce better results with most wild animals, especially when dealing with backstraps. This is mandatory for many old-school cooks before putting any wild-game meat in a slow cooker.

How do you make ground venison taste like ground beef? ›

As a hunter, you can ask the process to mix in beef fat or pork fat, or none at all; often people will get some with added fat and some without. Beef fat works well with ground venison, and makes the flavor closer to ground beef.

What makes venison taste good? ›

When people describe venison taste and texture, they often use words like rich or earthy; this is a festive-tasting meat, often imbued with hints of the acorns, sage and herbs that the deer enjoyed during its life.

Can you make venison taste like beef? ›

Incorporating fat into venison is key to mimicking beef. This can be achieved by wrapping the venison in bacon or barding it with beef fat before cooking. Alternatively, cooking venison in beef stock or adding a bit of beef fat during the cooking process can also impart a richness closer to that of beef.

How long does venison chili last? ›

Yield: This Venison Chili recipe makes about 9 cups of chili, enough for 6 hearty servings, 1 ½ cups each. Storage: Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 4 days. Make ahead: Cool within 2 hours, cover, and refrigerate up to 3 days in advance. Reheat the full recipe on the stove over low heat to 165 degrees.

What is the red juice in deer meat? ›

That red liquid is water mixed a protein called myoglobin. See as meat ages, the muscle tissue breaks down – and it doesn't take long. The water and myoglobin cells inside the meat are released and voila, a red blood-like liquid emanates from the meat when it is prepared.

What did cowboys eat chili? ›

Suppression only fueled this fire and in the 1800's chili was a staple food for cowboys, ruffians, and Adventurers on the Western Frontier. It was even served up in jails. Originally made of dried beef, fat and spices carried in saddlebags, then reconstituted over campfires. It was cheap and hearty and filling.

Why would you put vinegar in chili? ›

With only about 1 tablespoon per pot added toward the end of the cooking process, the vinegar will make the flavors more vibrant without overwhelming the dish with its biting tang. Through just a splash, everything becomes a little brighter, and the chili's flavors are more balanced.

What is in chili secret sauce? ›

You can make my Chili's Secret Sauce recipe revealed here in just a couple of minutes with a simple combination of mayonnaise, ketchup, barbecue sauce, honey, and mustard, plus a little turmeric to add a golden tint.

How important is oregano in chili? ›

Mexican oregano is the herb you should be using for chili recipes. (Along with any other southwestern or Mexican recipe for that matter.) Mexican oregano is more robust and citrusy than Greek oregano, standing up to the bold, competing flavors in chili recipes like cumin and chile peppers.

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