the BEST Venison Chili Recipe (2024)

This is a hearty and easy venison chili recipe perfect for using ground venison from hunting season or, if you prefer, ground turkey or another lean meat.

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Are you looking for a cozy delicious chili recipe? Try my Sweet Potato Chili recipe for a yummy twist on Grandma’s classic chili.

A chill in the air seems more manageable when you have warm chili in the belly, doesn’t it? Many homes have a go-to chili recipe they use time and again that is a personal favorite. Chili recipes are like ordering coffee… no one person makes it the same way. Deer chili (as my kids call it) is even more familial and can be widely found in states where hunting is popular…like WI and MN. Dontcha know ;).

the BEST Venison Chili Recipe (1)

Key Ingredients for Venison Chili:

This yummy recipe calls on the use of canned tomatoes and sauce to speed up the process and get chili on the table fast, fast, fast. Using canned products also makes it easier and less intimidating for the beginning cook. Don’t worry, you are NOT sacrificing flavor in any. which. way. Promise!

Start with the basic ingredients, master it, and then learn your favorite changes and additions. Included is a list at the bottom of the post with ideas to personalize this recipe so you can create your personal chili recipe that your family adores.

  • Ground venison. Any ground meat like lean ground beef or ground turkey works too.
  • Onion. We use a large onion in chili. I prefer a yellow or white diced onion for this recipe.
  • Garlic. Just a few cloves garlic does the trick.
  • Diced tomatoes. A couple cans works fine. The tomato juice from the can goes in, too.
  • Chili beans. Go ahead and swap black beans or pinto beans for some of the chili beans.
  • Tomato sauce. This isn’t the same as pasta sauce, be aware.
  • Chili powder. I mean….obviously :).
  • Brown sugar. I think a bit of brown sugar adds depth to the chili. Give it a try.

Adaptations to try…

  • Diced jalapenos, bell peppers, or green chiles.
  • add chopped green or red peppers or chili peppers :).
  • use kidney or pinto beans instead of or in addition to the chili beans
  • try different meats like sausage, lamb, beef, or turkey.
  • add a can of beer
  • simmer on low for several hours
  • add spices like cumin, cayenne pepper, or oregano
  • go beanless.
  • or meatless.
  • try additional wild game like boar, buffalo, or elk.

Can I substitute ground venison for ground beef in recipes?

Anything that uses ground beef, pork, or similar can be substitute with venison. However, venison is a very lean meat and if you are subbing for ground beef or another meat with a high-fat content you may want to add a little bit of oil to your pan to help add needed fat to the dish.

  • the BEST Venison Chili Recipe (2)
  • the BEST Venison Chili Recipe (3)
  • the BEST Venison Chili Recipe (4)

How to make Venison Chili:

There are those chili recipes that employ long periods of time on the stove; or cooking chili in a slow-cooker, or all sorts of different ingredients, this isn’t one of those.

  1. In a dutch oven on medium-high heat, saute up some chopped onions, add minced garlic, and then brown up your meat.
  2. Add your remaining ingredients and let that simmer on the stove on medium heat for about 20 minutes. One-pot. The end.
  3. Top with some fresh cilantro, cheddar cheese, and sour cream.

Is deer meat good for you?

Venison is high in protein and is leaner than many types of meat. So, if you are looking for a good, lean red meat, venison is a great choice! But gosh, I can’t answer for you if venison is good for you. That’s your doctor’s job :).

We primarily use venison whenever we make chili. Ground turkey has similar fat content and texture to venison if you prefer or don’t have access to venison. My husband comes from Wisconsin and a hunting family so we have our own meat easily available to us.
If you have access to venison but don’t particularly like using venison try using a 1/2 and 1/2 blend of venison with higher fat content type of meat like beef or sausage. Using the meat mixture gives me the needed flavor and fat while still saving money by using what is available.

the BEST Venison Chili Recipe (5)

Let’s bring up the fact that this chili is served with cinnamon rolls in the pictures. This is for the Iowan readers in da house. Apparently, serving a big pot of chili with cinnamon rolls is a thing where you all live. Maybe it’s not true but just in case, the chili is being served with cinnamon rolls.

the BEST Venison Chili Recipe (6)

Venison Chili Recipe

| 6

Prep Time | 10 minutes mins

Cook Time | 25 minutes mins

Total Time | 35 minutes mins

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

An easy and hearty venison chili recipe! A great recipe to use ground venison from hunting season.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. ground venison or ground turkey
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 cans 14.5oz diced Hunt’s tomatoes (low sodium)
  • 2 cans 14.5oz chili beans
  • 1 can 14.5oz Hunt’s tomato sauce (this is NOT pasta sauce, rather tomato sauce)
  • 3 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar

Check out our Kitchen Reference Guide for help with unfamiliar terms.

Instructions

  • Coat the bottom of a large soup pan with a small amount of oil.

  • Add the venison and brown the meat in the soup pan on medium high heat.

  • Add the onion, garlic, and pepper. Saute for about 3 minutes.

  • NOTE- if using ground beef drain off the fat right now, before adding the other ingredients.

  • Add the cans of diced tomatoes, un-drained beans, sauce (these will be undrained), chili powder, and brown sugar. Stir.

  • Simmer on low for 20 to 30 minutes or until ready to serve, stirring occasionally.

  • Add additional salt & pepper as needed.

  • Serve with sour cream, cheese, and chives.

Notes

Using a low-fat meat like Venison works perfectly for this recipe because the liquid from the canned tomatoes nicely adds the moisture needed to compensate. Chili is a great recipe for ground venison!

Nutrition

Calories: 218kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 17gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 128mgPotassium: 385mgFiber: 2gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 1186IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 44mgIron: 3mg

the BEST Venison Chili Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you make venison chili less gamey? ›

Add a little beef broth, tomato paste, and our Chili Seasoning to the stock pot with the strained veggies. Another way to reduce the gaminess out of the venison is to add a can of beer. You can use dark ale or light ale – whatever you prefer. The alcohol will cook off and make the flavor even richer.

What is the best meat for chili? ›

The best chili meat is a combination of meats, often a mix of ground chuck, ground sirloin, brisket, diced tri-tip, and/or some bacon or sausage. Do your best to mix smaller pieces with larger pieces to stack textures and make it your own! Happy cooking!

What is deer chili made of? ›

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook venison, onion and garlic in oil until meat is browned. Transfer to a slow cooker and stir together with chiles, beans, broth oregano, cumin, salt and paprika. Cook on medium 4 to 5 hours.

How to make homemade chili more flavorful? ›

Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight. Warming spice blends, like Garam Masala, Ras el Hanout or Baharat are another simple and delicious way to add layered flavors to this simple one-pot meal.

What takes the gamey taste out of venison? ›

Soaking deer meat in milk or a marinade with acidic components like vinegar, wine, or citrus juice helps eliminate the gamey taste. Alternatively, brining the meat in a solution of water, salt, and sugar can also improve its flavor and tenderness.

How do you cook ground venison so it doesn't taste gamey? ›

Acidic foods, like citrus juice & vinegars, brighten up the heavy flavor of venison, bring out the best tasting notes, and cut through a bit of that “gamey” flavor. I make sure to use acid in all of my marinades (it also helps to tenderize the meat), and in almost every single dish I make with deer meat.

What is the secret to best chili? ›

Here Are Our Six Secret Ingredients for the Best Chili
  • Canned Puréed Pumpkin. You already use this to make pumpkin-infused quick breads and waffles, but did you know you can add it to chili too? ...
  • Cocoa Powder. ...
  • Coffee. ...
  • Maple Syrup. ...
  • Pepperoncinis (Plus Liquid) ...
  • Root Beer.
Sep 2, 2022

What gives chili the most flavor? ›

Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight. Warming spice blends, like Garam Masala, Ras el Hanout or Baharat are another simple and delicious way to add layered flavors to this simple one-pot meal.

Does venison chili taste gamey? ›

Yes and no. In this case, you're basically cooking ground venison, which will cook a lot like beef. But venison will have a gamey taste, so you might want to you soak it in milk or buttermilk.

How long does venison chili last? ›

Freezer: Cool cooked chili to below 40 degrees on an instant-read thermometer within 2 hours and place into airtight containers. Frozen chili will last 4 to 6 months in the freezer. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Which beans go in chili? ›

The best beans for chili are pinto, kidney, and black beans, like in this easy and tasty recipe. This 3-bean chili freezes great for meals later in the week. If you prefer thinner chili, add an extra can of tomato sauce. The green chiles are not hot and add a wonderful flavor, so don't be afraid to use them.

What is the most important spice in chili? ›

Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

How do you deepen chili flavor? ›

You can always add additional spices to taste, but this could give you a solid foundation to work from. Try adding spices like paprika, chili powder, cumin, coriander, Mexican oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, cinnamon, cayenne, or even chipotle.

Do you cook onions or meat first for chili? ›

In a large pot over medium heat, heat the oil and add the onions, garlic, and red pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the beef and increase the heat to high. Cook, stirring with wooden spoon to break up the meat, until the beef is browned, 10 to 12 minutes.

How do you make ground venison taste like ground beef? ›

As a hunter, you can ask the process to mix in beef fat or pork fat, or none at all; often people will get some with added fat and some without. Beef fat works well with ground venison, and makes the flavor closer to ground beef.

What causes gaminess in venison? ›

What Causes Gaminess in Deer Meat? The animal's diet is the greatest cause of gaminess in meat. If you've ever tried grass-fed and grain-fed beef side by side, you've noticed a difference in taste. A deer's diet has the same influence.

How do you make venison taste better? ›

Some things to keep in mind:
  1. add acid – I was skeptical at first but soaking venison in buttermilk is actually a great trick for tough, powerfully flavored meat. ...
  2. absorb liquid before cooking – thaw meat on a paper towel to absorb myoglobin (looks like blood)
  3. don't overcook steak cuts – cook to medium-rare at the most.

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