Spiced North Dakota Bison Chili with Chipotle and Black Beans

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-02 · Updated 2026-05-02

Hearty and smoky chili featuring lean North Dakota bison, chipotle peppers, and black beans simmered to create a rich, warming stew perfect for chilly evenings. This american-inspired beef ready in about 60 minutes pairs ground bison, yellow onion, red bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 370 calories and feeds 4, 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 medium, diced yellow onion
• 1 medium, diced red bell pepper
• 2 peppers, minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed canned black beans
• 1 can (14.5 oz) canned diced tomatoes
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 1 medium diced red bell pepper, sautéing for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 2 minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, cooking for 1 minute until aromatic.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 lb ground bison, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook for 7-8 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
4. Step 4: Add 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper, stirring to coat the meat and vegetables evenly.
5. Step 5: Pour in 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed black beans, and 1 cup beef broth. Stir to combine, bring to a simmer, and reduce heat to low.
6. Step 6: Cover and simmer gently for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chili thickens and flavors meld beautifully. Serve hot with your favorite toppings.