Northern Spice Bison Chili with Root Vegetables
A robust chili featuring lean bison meat and hearty root vegetables, seasoned with warming northern spices for a comforting meal. This american-inspired beef ready in about 70 minutes pairs ground bison, large, chopped yellow onion, medium, diced carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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 bison
- 1 large, chopped yellow onion
- 2 medium, diced carrots
- 1 medium, diced parsnip
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
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 large chopped yellow onion, 2 diced carrots, and 1 diced parsnip, sauté for 5 minutes until tender and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until aromatic.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb ground bison, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 6-7 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
- Step 4: Stir in 3 tbsp tomato paste, 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp ground cumin, and 1 tsp smoked paprika, cooking for 2 minutes to toast the spices.
- Step 5: Pour in 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes and 1 1/2 cups beef broth. Season with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper.
- Step 6: Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 40 minutes until chili thickens and vegetables are tender.
- Step 7: Taste and adjust seasoning before serving hot.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Northern Spice Bison Chili with Root Vegetables take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (20 min prep + 50 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 Spice Bison Chili with Root Vegetables?
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 bison from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Northern Spice Bison Chili with Root Vegetables?
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 Spice Bison Chili with Root Vegetables 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 Spice Bison Chili with Root Vegetables?
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.
