Northern-Inspired Spiced Venison Chili
A robust chili featuring ground venison and warming northern spices, slow-simmered with beans and tomatoes for a hearty meal. This american-inspired beef ready in about 70 minutes pairs Ground venison, medium, diced Yellow onion, medium, diced Green bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 5, 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 medium, diced Yellow onion
- 1 medium, diced Green bell pepper
- 3 cloves, minced Garlic
- 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed Canned kidney beans
- 1 can (14.5 oz) Canned diced tomatoes
- 1 cup Tomato sauce
- 1 cup Beef broth
- 2 tbsp Chili powder
- 1 tbsp Ground cumin
- 1 tsp Smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried Oregano
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion, 1 diced green bell pepper, and 3 minced garlic cloves; sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb ground venison to the pot, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook for 6-7 minutes until browned all over.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper; cook for 1 minute until spices are fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 1 can (15 oz) drained kidney beans, 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, 1 cup tomato sauce, and 1 cup beef broth. Stir well to combine.
- Step 5: Bring the chili to a simmer, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld and chili thickens. Serve hot.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Northern-Inspired Spiced Venison Chili take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (15 min prep + 55 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Northern-Inspired Spiced Venison Chili?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground venison from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Northern-Inspired Spiced Venison Chili?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Northern-Inspired Spiced Venison Chili for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 5 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 5). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Northern-Inspired Spiced Venison Chili?
American beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
