Mountain Man Smoked Venison Chili
This American-inspired venison recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, pairs ground venison, smoked paprika, ground cumin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 cup diced onions
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz) drained kidney beans
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup for garnish fresh cilantro chopped
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 cup diced onions and 3 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 4-5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb ground venison to the pot and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 6-7 minutes.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper, cooking for 2 minutes to toast the spices and deepen flavor.
- Step 4: Pour in 1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes, 1 cup beef broth, and 1 can (15 oz) drained kidney beans. Stir to combine.
- Step 5: Bring the chili to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cover, cooking gently for 30 minutes to let the flavors meld and thicken.
- Step 6: Serve hot, garnished with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro to add bright freshness to the smoky chili.









