Prairie Kitchen Venison Chili with Roasted Peppers

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-17 · Updated 2026-05-17

A robust venison chili cooked low and slow with fire-roasted bell peppers and a blend of smoky spices for a rich, hearty stew. 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 large (1 cup) yellow onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 large roasted red bell peppers, diced
• 1 can (14.5 oz) canned diced tomatoes
• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 oz dark chocolate, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 1 large diced yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until onion is soft and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Add 1 lb ground venison and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 7-8 minutes.
3. Step 3: Stir in 2 large diced roasted red bell peppers, 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, 1 can (15 oz) drained kidney beans, and 2 cups beef broth. Add 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Mix well.
4. Step 4: Bring chili to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
5. Step 5: Stir in 1 oz chopped dark chocolate until melted and fully incorporated for depth of flavor. Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving.