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You are here: Home / Family Food / Winter Venison Chili Recipe

Winter Venison Chili Recipe

December 21, 2014 by Elizabeth Dooley

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This is a step-by-step recipe for a hardy fall and winter venison chili. This a tasty, deer meat recipe for those cold days and into the holiday season! Venison is a lean meat. In fact, this game meat has about 50% less fat than beef so it is often considered a healthy choice. While you and make this venison chili recipe in the slow cooker, you can also make it on the stove over low heat, as you prefer. Deer chili is a delicious way for anyone to enjoy deer meat.

For food enthusiasts, using venison in chili provides a unique twist on the classic dish, offering an opportunity to explore different flavors and cooking techniques. Venison has a distinct, slightly gamey flavor that adds depth and complexity to chili. It’s often described as more intense and earthy compared to beef, which can elevate the overall taste of the dish. In some regions, especially where hunting is a part of the local culture, venison chili is a traditional dish that reflects the heritage and lifestyle of the area.

Deer Meat Chili Recipe

Winter Venison Chili Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp Olive oil
  • 1 large onion (a yellow onion or white onion will work well)
  • 1 lb Minced Venison (or ground deer meat if you happen to have a grinder and prefer ground meat)
  • 3 Garlic cloves
  • one 28oz can Tomato puree
  • 1 fresh tomato, diced
  • one 15oz can Red Kidney Beans (you could substitute black beans or pinto beans that is all you have on hand)
  • 2 tbsp Chili Powder
  • 1 tsp Crushed red pepper
  • 1/2 tsp Nutmeg
  • 1 tbsp Ground cumin
  • 1 tsp Italian style seasoning
  • kosher salt and black pepper to taste
  • 3.5 ounces chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (optional)

The difference between tomato paste, tomato purée, and tomato sauce is consistency and water content. Tomato paste is the most concentrated. Tomato puree the second and Tomato sauce the third. The tomato puree is thicker consistency and has a deeper flavor than sauce, but not too thick and pasty.

Wild game is sometimes a strong flavor for people who have never tried it before. Deer chili is a great introduction to deer meat recipes without too much gamey flavor.

How To Make Deer Chili:

Heat up olive oil in a large dutch onion or large skillet on high-medium.

Chop the large onion and add the diced onion to the pot once the olive oil has heated up. At this point turn your stove down to a low-medium heat.

Add a half teaspoon of chili powder, crushed red pepper, nutmeg, cumin and Italian seasoning to the pot.

Winter Venison Chili
Steps 1-3

Mince and add the 3 cloves of garlic to the pot and mix.

Add 1 lb of venison. Break it up and mix it together. Allow the deer meat to brown a bit.

deer chili recipe
Steps 4 and 5 of deer chili recipe

Add the can of kidney beans, and yes juice and all!

Next, add the 28oz can of tomato puree and stir.

deer meat chili
Steps 6-7

Dice the tomato and add it to the pot.

Let all of these delicious ingredients simmer for at least 30 minutes on a medium-low heat with the lid on. You can keep cooking it over low heat for longer allowing the flavors to marry further if you have time but it is not required. Your venison chili is ready to serve. Enjoy!

Venison Chili
Venison Chili

Feel free to top the venison chili with your favorite toppings such as shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, fresh parsley or fresh cilantro, sliced green chiles, and sliced green onions.

Printable Deer Chili Recipe Card

Winter Venison Chili Recipe

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December 21, 2014
by Elizabeth Dooley
Cuisine American
Category Family Food
Delicious deer meet chili with beans and a little kick of spice.
Persons
4
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
45 minutes
Total Time
1 hour
Rate this recipe
|
19 ratings
Winter Venison Chili

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp Olive oil
  • 1 White onion
  • 1 lb Minced Venison
  • 3 Garlic cloves
  • 1 28oz can Tomato puree
  • 1 Tomato
  • 1 15oz can Kidney beans
  • 2 tbsp Chili Powder
  • 1 tsp Crushed red pepper
  • 1/2 tsp Nutmeg
  • 1 tbsp Ground cumin
  • 1 tsp Italian style seasoning

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot on high-medium and add diced onion and stir.
  2. Turn your stove down to a medium-low heat and add spices to the onion. Continue stirring onions every few minutes.
  3. Mince and add the 3 cloves of garlic to the pot and mix.
  4. Add 1 lb of venison. Break it up and mix it together. Allow the deer meat to brown a bit on all sides.
  5. Add the can of kidney beans and stir.
  6. Add the can of tomato puree and stir.
  7. Dice the tomato and add it to the pot.
  8. Let all of these delicious ingredients simmer for 30 minutes on a medium-low heat with the lid on.
  9. Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Winter Venison Chili Recipe

Serves: 4

Amount Per Serving:
Calories 386.33 kcal
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 12.17 g 18.5%
Saturated Fat 2.12 g 10%
Trans Fat 0.0 g
Cholesterol 20.41 mg 6.7%
Sodium 804.58 mg 33.5%
Total Carbohydrate 38.03 g 12.7%
Dietary Fiber 11.06 g 44%
Sugars 13.24 g
Protein 34.85 g
Vitamin A 11.66 % Vitamin C 30.33 %
Calcium 15.8 % Iron 51.11 %

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

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Venison Chili Conclusion

Venison chili has a rich, robust flavor with a slightly gamey taste that can be less sweet and more savory compared to beef chili. The texture of venison is typically firmer and less fatty, which some people find more satisfying. The spices and ingredients used in the chili, such as chili powder, cumin, garlic, and tomatoes, can complement the meat’s natural flavors, creating a hearty and flavorful dish.

I personally prefer a spicy venison chili. If you also prefer spicy chili I would suggest adding 1/2 of a 7 ounce can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.  This adds a nice smoked heat to the deer meat chili that you will love. I think it is just the best venison chili recipe because of the depth of flavor!

Have you ever cooked with deer meat before? Do you and your family like chili on cold winter days? Would you ever try this winter venison chili recipe? If you do try this hearty venison chili, be sure to let us know how you liked it and share your pics on social media @familyfocusblog!

Venison Mention in Bible: “And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it. [6] And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard thy father speak unto Esau thy brother, saying, Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the LORD before my death.” Genesis 27:5-7

Related Posts:

Quick And Easy Cowboy Steak Chili Recipe

Homemade Green Chili Sauce Recipe

Hearty Pumpkin Chili Soup Recipe

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Thanks for reading Family Focus Blog, a parenting and lifestyle blog that provides tips, advice, and inspiration for families. It covers a wide range of topics, including parenting tips, family-friendly recipes, eco-friendly living, family travel, home decor, and family activities. The blog was created in 2010 by Nashville mom blogger, Scarlet Paolicchi. She shares her personal experiences and practical advice for raising children and maintaining a balanced family life. Scarlet Paolicchi is the author of four books, available through her affiliate link on Amazon.

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