Bison Chili
Posted: 11/17/20
Updated: 12/11/24
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This bison chili is the perfect way to spice up your cold weather cooking routine! Made with lean and flavorful bison and pantry staples, it only takes about 40 minutes to make, but tastes like it’s been simmering all day!
What Makes This Recipe So Good
- This deliciously flavorful chili switches up the traditional beef or chicken with bison. Lighter and sweeter than beef, it gives this chili a taste all its own. You will definitely want to add it to you cooking repertoire!
- This recipe is perfect for throwing together for an easy, warm weeknight dinner, especially since most of the ingredients are pantry staples.
Bison – Super flavorful, lean, and a little sweet, bison is a great alternative to other meats used in chili.
Diced tomatoes with green chiles – An easy pantry staple, diced tomatoes and chiles add a little spice to you chili.
Crushed tomatoes – Another great pantry staple, tomatoes make this chili perfectly tomato-y.
Kidney & chili beans – No need to soak or cook beans! Use a few cans of beans for extra convenience.
How To Make It
Brown the bison in a stock pot with the garlic and onions, then drain the grease.
Combine the bison, canned veggies and beans, and spices in the pot. Let the chili simmer before serving.
Chef’s Tips
- If you’d prefer beef in this recipe, you can absolutely sub the bison for it, although we definitely recommend giving it a shot!
- This recipe is absolutely delicious when it’s topped with sliced avocados, shredded cheese, sour cream or Greek yogurt, or sliced jalapeños. We also love it with a side of cornbread or corn chips.
More Chili Recipes
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Bison Chili
This bison chili is the perfect way to spice up your cold weather cooking routine! Made with lean and flavorful bison and pantry staples, it only takes about 40 minutes to make, but tastes like it's been simmering all day!
servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground bison
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin divided
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chiles
- 1 (10.75-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can kidney beans drained
- 1 (15-ounce) can chili beans drained
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 ½ tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt plus more to taste
Instructions
- Brown the bison in a stock pot with garlic and onions over medium heat. Season with 1/2 teaspoon cumin and salt and black pepper. Drain excess grease.
- Combine bison, tomatoes with green chiles, crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, chili beans, chili powder, and remaining cumin in pot; stir. Simmer chili for 25-30 minutes, then top with garnishes and serve.
Notes
- Beef: Can sub 1:1 for bison.
- Topping and side ideas: Sliced avocados, shredded cheese, sour cream or Greek yogurt, or sliced jalapeños. Try with a side of cornbread or corn chips.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 279kcal | Protein: 19g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Total Carbs: 28g | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 6g | Net Carbs: 20g | Vitamin C: 10mg | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 505mg | Potassium: 876mg | Calcium: 83mg | Iron: 6mg
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
Great recipe!!
Thanks, Olivia!
Great chili recipe! It was quick and easy to prepare and it turned out perfectly. I couldn’t tell a difference taste-wise between the ground bison and ground beef but loved knowing that it made the chili healthier! Thank you!
Thank you so much, Kathy! I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
Great chili! I didn’t find that much difference in taste between the bison and beef, but will likely make this again since it’s so much lower in fat. Thanks for sharing!
Happy to hear that, Lori! ♥
Great chili! I did use the bison, but didn’t really notice enough difference between it and ground beef to make it worth the upcharge (Bison where I live is 2x price of beef). This is a nice spicy chili and I loved the combo of the beans as well. Topped with sour cream and chopped sweet onion, side of cornbread. Made for Road Trip at Food Friends and Fun.
Sounds delicious! It’s so easy to make for gatherings and get-togethers! ♥
I found bison on sale so decided to try this. Tastes richer and sweeter than the ground beef version and no fat/grease to drain. Also very east and quick.
So happy you loved the chili, Mike! Isn’t bison delicious??
This was really easy to make and even the kids loved it. Great way to get some bison
Wow, kid approval is the best kind!!
very bland!!
We are so sorry you had this type of experience. We do hope you will try it again! Maybe with a little more salt?