Rapid City Inspired Bison Chili with Black Beans and Corn

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty chili featuring lean bison meat, black beans, and sweet corn that captures the spirit of South Dakota's Black Hills region. This american-inspired beef ready in about 50 minutes pairs ground bison, large, diced yellow onion, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 40 min Serves 6 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 large diced yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 lb ground bison to the pot and brown for 6-8 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon until fully cooked.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed black beans, 1 cup corn kernels, 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  5. Step 5: Pour in 1 1/2 cups beef broth, stir to combine, and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let cook for 25 minutes until flavors meld and chili thickens.
  6. Step 6: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed before serving hot with your favorite toppings.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Rapid City Inspired Bison Chili with Black Beans and Corn take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (10 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 Rapid City Inspired Bison Chili with Black Beans and Corn?

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 Rapid City Inspired Bison Chili with Black Beans and Corn?

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 Rapid City Inspired Bison Chili with Black Beans and Corn 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 Rapid City Inspired Bison Chili with Black Beans and Corn?

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.

Related recipes