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    Delmarvalicious Dishes » Recipes

    Award Winning Venison Chili (Easy Crockpot Recipe)

    Published: Jan 4, 2022 · Modified: Nov 5, 2024 by Lynne Kenton · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

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    Try this Award-Winning Venison Chili Recipe! This easy crockpot recipe is full of vegetables and flavor. This lean chili is rich in spices, with a touch of sweetness, and perfect for serving a large crowd!

    Three bowls of venison chili topped with shredded cheese, sliced jalapeños, and a dollop of sour cream sit on a wooden board. A spoon is in one bowl, and chopped green onions garnish the dishes, adding vibrant color to the hearty meal.

    Every winter, my freezer is full of ground deer meat thanks to my avid hunter husband. I have been using this ground meat to create healthy and flavorful recipes that most people don't believe is made with deer meat! 

    Need another recipe to use ground venison? Try this Venison Lasagna Recipe (using Cottage Cheese). This lasagna is the creamiest you will have and will feed a crowd! Or, try these Oven Baked Venison Meatballs. I love making a double batch of these meatballs to freeze for an easy dinner. If you need a chili recipe that doesn't use deer meat, try this Smoky White Chicken Chili with Bacon and Beans. I cannot think of a more delicious meal to enjoy on a cold winter day! 

    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Easy Venison Chili Recipe Ingredients 
    • Variations and Substitutions
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • Equipment
    • Venison Chili Toppings
    • Storage
    • Top tip
    • FAQ
    • Related
    • Pairing
    • 📖 Recipe

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • Versatile. If you don't have deer meat, no problem! Substitute ground turkey, chicken, beef or lamb in this recipe! 
    • Healthy! This chili is full of vegetables like peppers and mushrooms. The veggies add a heartiness to the dish and are easily disguised for picky eaters. 
    • Makes a large batch. This recipe is perfect to make for a large crowd for football parties or a Sunday night dinner. Feeding a bigger crowd? Double the recipe! 

    Easy Venison Chili Recipe Ingredients 

    Find these simple ingredients at your local grocery store: 

    Top view of Venison Chili ingredients on a white surface. Bowls hold diced and crushed tomatoes, vegetarian baked beans, red onion, tomato paste, mushrooms, jalapeño, bell pepper, black beans, ground venison expertly seasoned with spices and fresh garlic cloves.
    • Ground venison is the base for this recipe. This lean meat is low in fat and the earthy flavor of the meat pairs well with the chili seasoning. 
    • Red onion, red bell pepper, jalapeno, garlic, and mushrooms are cooked with the ground meat to add flavor and a heartiness to the chili.
    • The vegetables and ground meat are cooked in extra virgin olive oil until the vegetables are soft and the meat is cooked. 
    • Black beans and baked beans are added for extra protein and flavor. 
    • Crushed tomatoes, tomato paste and diced tomatoes create the tomato sauce that the chili simmers in. 
    • The chili is seasoned with chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and cayenne pepper.
    • Brown sugar is added to give a sweet twist. 

    The exact measurements can be found below in the recipe card. 

    Variations and Substitutions

    • Use ground beef, turkey or chicken in place of the ground venison. 
    • Substitute the seasonings with a packet of your favorite store-bought seasoning.
    • Use a green bell pepper in place of the red pepper. 
    • Substitute a sweet onion for the red onion. 
    • Use pinto beans or dark red kidney beans in place of the black beans or eliminate the beans all together. 
    • Add chopped sweet potatoes or canned corn for a sweeter chili. 
    • For an extra kick of flavor, add some ground sausage! 

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    A skillet filled with cooked ground venison, mixed with diced red bell peppers, onions, and bits of green herbs evokes the heartiness of homemade venison chili. The ingredients are lightly browned and evenly distributed across the pan for a robust flavor experience.

    Step 1: Heat a large pot or skillet over medium high heat. Add the extra virgin olive oil. Once hot, add the onion, bell pepper, jalapeno, mushrooms and ground venison. Stir often breaking the meat apart about 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic and stir for 30 seconds. 

    A slow cooker filled with cooked ground venison chili mixed with diced red bell peppers and herbs. The ingredients are evenly distributed, showcasing a colorful and savory dish.

    Step 2: Transfer the meat and vegetables to the crock pot. 

    A slow cooker filled with ingredients for venison chili, including diced tomatoes, vegetarian baked beans, black beans, tomato sauce, and powdered spices, all set on a white surface.

    Step 3: Add the remaining ingredients to the crock pot and stir until combined. 

    A black slow cooker filled with homemade venison chili, containing beans, ground meat, and diced tomatoes in a thick sauce. The chili appears rich and hearty, showcasing a mix of textures and a deep, inviting color.

    Step 4: Cook chili on low for 6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Stir before serving. Serve topped with your favorite chili toppings!

    Equipment

    • Large pot or a large frying pan
    • Slow cooker. Alternatively, you could cook the chili on the stove in a Dutch oven. Here is the Dutch oven I use. 
    • Cutting board and sharp knife. 

    Venison Chili Toppings

    Here are some of my families favorite chili toppings: 

    • Green onions
    • Crushed corn chips
    • A dollop of sour cream
    • Shredded cheddar cheese
    • Sliced jalapeno  
    • Avocado slices 
    • Corn bread

    Storage

    Store this slow cooker venison chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. This chili gets better the next day! To freeze this chili, let the chili cool completely. Place cooled chili into freezer bags and freeze flat. When ready to enjoy, dethaw in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove top then enjoy with your families favorite toppings! 

    Top tip

    Add the mushrooms to a food processor before sautéing them. This will help the mushrooms to incorporate more with the ground venison. Even the pickiest eaters will not know that there are mushrooms in the chili! 

    FAQ

    Will this chili taste gamey?

    This venison chili does not taste gamey at all! In fact, most people don't believe that this is a venison chili. The chili does not taste gamey because it is cooked with bell peppers, onions, lots of spices and a thick, red sauce. 

    Do I need to brown the meat before adding it to the crockpot?

    Yes, the venison should be browned before adding it to the crockpot. If you do not brown the meat, the texture of the meat will not be firm and the meat will not mix in as well with the rest of the ingredients. The chili could also have a greasier texture because the fats from the meat will cook directly with the other ingredients. 

    What is the secret ingredient in this chili recipe?

    Every chili recipe has a secret ingredient and this recipe is no different! My not-so-secret ingredient in this recipe is the Bush's Vegetarian Baked Beans! These baked beans give the chili a tangy and sweet flavor. 

    Can chili become overcooked in the crockpot?

    Yes, you can overcook chili in the crockpot. Make sure that the chili does not reach a boiling point while in the crockpot. If the chili begins to boil, the chili will lose flavor and it can cause the meat to become tough. Cooking chili for too long can also result in the chili burning and giving the chili a burnt taste. 

    Is this chili spicy?

    This chili packs has a little spice thanks to the cayenne pepper, chili powder and jalapeno. However, I would say that it is a level 3 out of 10 in terms of spiciness. I have served this chili to many people and no one has complained about the spice. 

    Related

    Looking for recipe similar to this chili? Try one of these delicious options:

    • A delicious bowl of White Chicken Chili served with shredded cheddar cheese, sliced jalapenos, green onions and cornbread.
      Smoky White Chicken Chili with Bacon and Beans
    • Slice of creamy Venison Lasagna with a whole pan of lasagna in the background.
      The BEST Venison Lasagna Recipe (using Cottage Cheese)
    • Easy, Everyday, Baked Meatballs in a serving bowl garnished with parmesan, basil and tomato sauce
      Oven Baked Venison Meatballs (Easy and Tasty Recipe)
    • Oven Baked Jalapeno Dove Poppers. The best dish to make during dove season!
      Oven Baked Jalapeno Bacon Dove Poppers

    Pairing

    Serve one of these tasty side dishes alongside the chili for a complete meal:

    • A bowl of chopped Brussels Sprout Salad features green vegetables, cranberries, seeds, and grated cheese, placed on a round wooden board. Two utensils rest in the bowl. Nearby, there’s a small container of dressing, a bowl of sliced almonds, and part of a green plant is visible.
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    • Air Fryer Potato Wedges (Buffalo Wild Wings Copycat)
    • A large bowl of chickpea salad with a serving spoon and cilantro.
      Healthy Grilled Street Corn and Chickpea Salad
    • A platter of parmesan bread bites with pizza sauce.
      Air Fryer Parmesan Bread Bites (Copycat Domino's)

    📖 Recipe

    Venison Chili
    Print Recipe

    Award Winning Venison Chili (Easy Crockpot Recipe)

    Try this Award-Winning Venison Chili Recipe! This easy crockpot recipe is full of vegetables and flavor. This lean chili is rich in spices, with a touch of sweetness, and perfect for serving a large crowd.
    Prep Time15 minutes mins
    Cook Time3 hours hrs
    Total Time3 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 362kcal
    Author: Lynne Kenton

    Equipment

    • Crockpot
    • Large pot or large frying pan
    • Cutting Board
    • Sharp Knife

    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    • 1 Red Onion chopped
    • 1 Red Bell Pepper chopped
    • 1 Jalapeno seeds removed and chopped
    • 1 pound Ground Venison
    • 3 Garlic Cloves minced
    • 8 ounces Mushrooms chopped
    • 28 ounces Crushed Tomatoes
    • 28 ounces Vegetarian Baked Beans do not drain
    • 28 ounces Diced Tomatoes
    • 6 ounces Tomato Paste
    • 3 tablespoons Chili Powder
    • 1.5 teaspoons Paprika
    • 1 teaspoon Cumin
    • ½ teaspoon Salt
    • ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
    • ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
    • ⅛ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
    • 2 tablespoons Brown Sugar

    Instructions

    • In a large sauté pan or soup pot at medium, sauté onion, pepper, jalapeno, mushrooms and venison until vegetables are soft and meat is brown.
    • Add the garlic and stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
    • Transfer the mixture to crock pot.
    • Add crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato paste and vegetarian baked beans. Stir to mix together.
    • Add the spices: chili powder, cumin, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, cayenne pepper and brown sugar. Stir to mix together.
    • Cook on low 6-8 hours or high 4-6 hours.
    • Serve with cornbread, shredded cheese, sour cream or tortilla chips!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 8g | Calories: 362kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 1.678mg | Potassium: 2.077mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 3.636IU | Vitamin C: 60mg | Calcium: 143mg | Iron: 9mg

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    Lynne Kenton of Delmarvalicious Dishes with ice cream cone

    Hi, I am Lynne and I am happy you are here! I love being in the kitchen welcoming friends and family. At Delmarvalicious Dishes, you will find simple meals, handheld snacks and a mix of coffee and cocktails!

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