Hearty Venison Chili Recipe

This hearty venison chili recipe is the perfect, cozy meal for a cold winter night. Packed with all of the nutrients of game meat, vegetables, beans and homemade bone broth, this healthy meal is perfect with some delicious sourdough cornbread.

In the winter months, I love to make really hearty comfort food. Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie, Sourdough Chicken Pot Pie or this hearty Venison Chili all make appearances on our dinner table quite often. There is nothing as inviting and cozy as a big pot of chili on a cold evening. 

This easy venison chili recipe cooks on the stovetop and is perfect served alongside Sourdough Cornbread, Buttermilk Sourdough Biscuits, Sourdough Crackers, Sourdough Artisan Bread or Sourdough Rosemary Garlic Bread. Add your favorite toppings like cheese, sour cream and jalapeños for the perfect meal.

​My husband and I have been dreaming of owning land for a long time. Last year, God gave us land where we have been building our house, enjoying time in the woods, and of course – hunting. We are so grateful to have deer in our freezer! I’ve been cooking with venison a lot, and I’m so thankful for nutritious meat from our own land. 

Ground venison is ground deer meat. If you’re used to cooking with ground beef, it’s a much more lean meat. The intensity of the flavor depends on the deer itself, but it’s a tasty game meat that be used interchangeably with beef pretty easily. In this easy venison chili recipe, it’s hard to tell the difference between ground beef and ground venison.

how to make the best venison chili

I have made chili so many times and there are a few essentials for success. This venison chili recipe is so flavorful with the rich, complex spices that characterize a great chili.

• Use the right spices. And the right amount of them! I think a lot of people are afraid to go too heavy-handed on spices, but the spices are what give this savory chili a wonderful depth of flavor. This chili uses chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper. 
• ​Use tomato paste. Tomato paste brings rich tomato flavor to the chili and also helps to thicken it. 
• Simmer it to thicken the chili and develop the flavors. I simmer this chili on the stove for 1-2 hours. The longer the chili cooks, the deeper the flavor will be at the end. 
• No extras. As you’ll see in the ingredient list below, it is super simple. We’re talking meat, beans, some seasonings, and the sauce ingredients. I love an easy, simple chili that lets the wonderful flavors shine.
• Another thing you’ll love about this recipe? It freezes and reheats beautifully. This is a perfect recipe for making ahead and freezing for an easy lunch or dinner.

everything you’ll need to make venison chili

​ingredients

• Olive oil
• Yellow onion
• Green bell peppers
• Chili powder
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Sea salt 
• Black pepper
• Ground venison
• Beef bone broth
• Diced tomatoes
• Black beans
• Pinto beans
• Red kidney beans
• Worcestershire sauce
• Tomato paste

tools & equipment

Cutting board

Sharp knife

Wooden spoon

Large pot or large dutch oven

how to make venison chili

Step 1: Sauté the onion and green pepper. Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a Dutch oven or other large pot. Add the chopped onion and chopped green pepper and cook until softened.

Step 2: Add the chili seasonings. Add the chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper. 

Step 3: Brown the ground venison. Add the ground venison to the pot and break it up with a spoon. Cook until it’s browned.

Step 4: Add bone broth, diced tomatoes, and beans. Stir in the broth, tomatoes, rinsed black beans, rinsed pinto beans and rinsed kidney beans.

Step 5: Stir in the tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce. Add the tomato paste Worcestershire sauce to the rest of the ingredients and stir until it is completely incorporated. 

Step 6: Simmer the chili with a lid on the pot for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Step 7: To thicken chili, uncover the pot during the last 30 minutes of cooking and simmer until it is your desired thickness.

​chili toppings

​This part is so fun! Everyone can add their favorite toppings to customize their bowl of chili. 

• Sour cream. Creamy sour cream helps to cool the spice. 
• Cheese. Shredded cheddar cheese, Monterey jack or pepper jack are all delicious on chili. 
• Cilantro. Add chopped, fresh cilantro for a delicious pop of flavor and color.
• Jalapeño peppers. For some extra heat, slice up a jalapeno pepper. 
• Avocado. Chili is so hearty and rich, I love adding a diced avocado for something fresh.
• Fresh lime. A little squeeze of citrus brightens the flavor. 
• Tortilla chips. Break them up and sprinkle them on top for some crunch.

what to serve with chili

This Sourdough Cornbread is my favorite side dish to serve with chili.

You could also serve Buttermilk Sourdough Biscuits, Sourdough Crackers or toasted Sourdough Artisan Bread. 

​how to thicken venison chili if you’re in a hurry

Ideally, venison chili would simmer for about 2 hours before serving. But I totally understand a busy schedule where sometimes, there’s just not that much time. I learned a little trick to make this chili thicker without waiting for it to simmer. Use a ladle to scoop a few cups of the chili into a blender. Blend it up and dump it back into the pot. This will make it look and taste like a chili that has been simmering all afternoon, but really only needs about 30 minutes. 

*Use caution when blending hot liquids. Blend at a low speed. 

how to store leftover chili

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. This recipe makes a lot, so it’s great for leftovers. It also freezes really well!

to freeze venison chili

Chili freezes really well! I like to put half of the finished batch of venison chili into the freezer to thaw and reheat later for a quick lunch or dinner. You can store chili in a ziploc bag or freezer-safe container n the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. To reheat: Warm over low heat in a covered pot on the stove. 

variations to this recipe

Spice Level – This chili is just right for our liking but you can increase or reduce the spice level to your family. For extra heat, add a few dashes of hot sauce, red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper. 

Different protein – Any ground meat will work in this recipe, even ground chicken or ground turkey. If your meat has a lot of fat like ground beef can, be sure to drain it before simmering.

Swap the Spices – Spice up your chili any way you’d like. Add cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne pepper, or even cinnamon!

Add extra vegetables – If you want to add more flavor, color and nutrients, try adding zucchini, colored bell peppers, corn, sweet potato, or butternut squash.

recipe card for venison chili

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