Campfire Smoked Venison Chili

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-28 · Updated 2026-05-28

A hearty venison chili slow-smoked over a campfire, packed with smoky depth and robust spices for an outdoor-inspired meal. This American-inspired venison recipe, ready in about 75 minutes, pairs ground venison, olive oil, yellow onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground venison
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup yellow onion, diced
• 1 cup red bell pepper, diced
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
• 15 oz kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp chipotle in adobo, minced

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a heavy pot over medium heat. Add 1 cup diced yellow onion, 1 cup diced red bell pepper, and 3 cloves minced garlic, sautéing for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Add 1 lb ground venison to the pot and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 7 minutes.
3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper, cooking for 1 minute until spices release their aroma.
4. Step 4: Pour in 14 oz canned diced tomatoes with juices, 15 oz drained kidney beans, 1 cup beef broth, and 1 tbsp minced chipotle in adobo. Stir well and bring to a simmer.
5. Step 5: Reduce heat to low, cover, and let chili cook gently for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing flavors to meld and thicken. Serve hot with cornbread or tortilla chips.