Northward Spiced Venison Chili with Black Beans
A robust chili featuring lean venison and black beans, seasoned with warming northern spices for a deep, comforting flavor. This american-inspired beef ready in about 55 minutes pairs ground venison, (15 oz), drained and rinsed black beans, medium, diced yellow onion 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
- 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed black beans
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 1 medium, diced red bell pepper
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 can (14.5 oz), undrained diced tomatoes
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup, chopped, for garnish fresh cilantro
- optional, for serving sour cream
- optional, for serving shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and 1 diced red bell pepper; sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 1 lb ground venison, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook for 7-8 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
- Step 5: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste, 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1 tsp dried oregano; cook for 2 minutes to toast the spices.
- Step 6: Pour in 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice, 1 cup beef broth, and 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed black beans.
- Step 7: Season with 1.5 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper.
- Step 8: Bring chili to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and cook uncovered for 30 minutes until thickened, stirring occasionally.
- Step 9: Serve topped with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, and optional sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Northward Spiced Venison Chili with Black Beans take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 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 Northward Spiced Venison Chili with Black Beans?
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 Northward Spiced Venison Chili with Black Beans?
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 Northward Spiced Venison Chili with Black Beans for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Northward Spiced Venison Chili with Black Beans?
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.
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