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Get ready to dive into the world of wild game with a recipe that’s sure to become a family favorite: Slow Cooker Venison Chili. Classic chili ingredients with a meaty-twist yields a comforting dish that’s delicious and easy to make.
Have more venison? Then you must try my Slow Cooker Venison Roast Recipe with Mushroom Bacon Gravy, Classic Venison Roast, Venison Stew, or my Venison Meatloaf.
Table of Contents
Why This Venison Chili Recipe Works
This Slow Cooker Venison Chili is my favorite way to use up fresh venison! I use three different types of peppers: jalapeño, Anaheim, and yellow bell pepper. It is just the right amount of heat! I top the chili with cheddar cheese, green onions, and serve cornbread on the side.
By simmering the ground venison low and slow in a flavorful broth, you’re guaranteed to end up with tender, melt-in-your-mouth meat that’s packed with amazing flavor. This method is perfect for busy families, especially those who love deer meat but don’t always have the time to babysit a pot on the stove. Simply toss all the ingredients into your slow cooker in the morning, let it do its thing while you go about your day, and come home to a house filled with the irresistible aroma of chili.
Recipe Ingredients
- Venison: You’ll want to use at least a pound of ground venison for this recipe.
- Peppers: Minced jalapeno, diced poblano (or Aneheim) pepper, and diced yellow bell pepper not only adds color but also peppery flavor.
- Chili Seasoning Packet: I recommend using McCormick brand, but you can use whatever you prefer.
- Beef Broth: You can use beef broth, beef stock, or one can of beer. This helps remove the gamey flavor in this deer chili recipe.
- Beans: Black beans and kidney beans are the perfect match for this chili recipe.
- Tomatoes: A can of diced tomatoes with jalapenos add the perfect kick without being overpowering and a can of tomato paste contributes a tomato flavor to the broth. You can also use tomato juice or tomato sauce.
- Seasonings: Salt and black pepper, and onion powder.
- Other Veggies: Minced jalapeno and diced white onion add to the heartiness of this delicious chili.
- Water: Helps create the flavorful base.
Step-by-Step Directions
Step One – In a non-stick skillet set to medium heat brown the venison, while the meat is cooking season it with a sprinkle over the salt, pepper, and onion powder.
Step Two – Add the meat to the slow cooker.
Step Three – Add the canned beans and rest of the ingredients.
Step Four – Stir to combine all ingredients. Cover and slow cook on LOW for 8 hours (or HIGH for 4 hours).
Step Five – Stir and serve with toppings such as cheddar cheese, green onion and oyster crackers. Enjoy!
How to Serve
- Serve a generous bowl of venison chili topped off with a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese, and a handful of chopped green onions. Serve it with a side of warm cornbread for the ultimate comfort meal.
- Take your chili to the next level by serving it over a bed of crispy tortilla chips and topping it with diced avocado, sliced jalapeños, and a drizzle of hot sauce. It’s like nachos, but even better!
- For a hearty and satisfying meal, spoon the chili over a baked potato and garnish with all your favorite chili toppings, like bacon bits, shredded cheese, and a dollop of sour cream. It’s a meal in itself!
- You can also play around with other seasonings such as cayenne pepper, brown sugar, garlic powder, fresh garlic, different flavors of canned tomatoes and chili beans, and/or chili powder.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Add a 12 oz. can of beer instead of the beef broth, it adds a depth of flavor to chili recipes. I often do this with beef chili too, it smells great while cooking.
If you have cubed venison (stew meat) or a venison roast you need to use, you can use that in this recipe. Use 1-2 pounds of cubed venison or cut a small roast into cubes and cook as directed in the recipe card, though no need to brown the meat.
Absolutely! While venison adds a unique flavor to this chili, you can easily substitute it with another lean meat such as ground beef, ground turkey, pork, or a combination of meats. Feel free to get creative.
This easy venison chili recipe can be stored in an airtight container and kept in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reader reviews:
“BEST Venison chili ever I have made this twice for chili cookouts and won 1st place in both with this is awesome chili.”
“Super bomb. I have had some good chili and none compare to this recipe. Thanks for the recipe!”
Other great slow cooker venison recipes that I love:
- Slow Cooker Barbecue Venison
- Slow Cooker Venison Stroganoff
- Slow Cooker Venison Roast
- Slow Cooker Kitchen Sink Venison Soup
- Slow Cooker Venison Stew
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Slow Cooker Venison Chili
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground venison
- ¼ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. pepper
- ¼ tsp. onion powder
- 1 cup white onion, diced
- 1 jalapeño, minced
- 1 Poblano or Aneheim pepper, diced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1.25 oz. pkt. Mccormick Chili Seasoning Packet
- 14 oz. can beef broth, (or one 12 oz. can of beer)
- 1 cup water
- 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes with jalapeños
- 15 oz. can black beans, drained
- 15 oz. can kidney beans, drained
- 6 oz. can tomato paste
Instructions
- In a non-stick skillet set to medium heat brown the venison, while the meat is cooking season it with a sprinkle over the salt, pepper, and onion powder.
- Add the meat to the slow cooker.
- Add all the rest of the ingredients.
- Stir.
- Set the slow cooker to low for 8 hours.
- Ladle the chili in bowls, and top with cheese, and green onions, serve with cornbread.
- Enjoy!
How to Video
Sarah’s Notes
- Cubed venison stew meat or a small venison roast cut into cubes can be used instead of the ground venison. No need to brown the meat. The cooking time remains the same.
- This easy venison chili recipe can be stored in an airtight container and kept in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- While venison adds a unique flavor to this chili, you can easily substitute it with another lean meat such as ground beef, ground turkey, pork, or a combination of meats. Feel free to get creative.
- Add a 12 oz. can of beer instead of the beef broth, it adds a depth of flavor to chili recipes. I often do this with beef chili to
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Here are my other slow cooker chili recipes:
- Slow Cooker V8 Chili
- Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken Chili
- Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili
- Slow Cooker Venison Chili
- Slow Cooker No Bean Texas Chili
- Slow Cooker Beef Enchilada Chili
- Slow Cooker Chipotle Turkey Chili
- Slow Cooker Jalapeno Popper Chili
- Slow Cooker Steakhouse Chili
- Slow Cooker White Chicken Poblano Chili
- Slow Cooker Copycat Wendy’s Chili
- Slow Cooker Low Carb Beef and Bacon Chili
I’ve made this recipe twice now, both times with venison, and it tasted wonderful. The recipe is easy enough to add spices or veggies or take away as you see fit to “personalize” it. I don’t add the bell pepper but use more tomato– it turns out just great.
I didn’t high super high hopes for this recipe because it seemed so simple, but my goodness! This may be the best chili recipe I’ve ever made. I had 2lbs of ground venison so I doubled everything and did 1 Anaheim pepper, 1 poblano, and 2 jalapeño peppers, and it turned out great! I wish it was a little hotter, but that’s an easy fix. I can’t wait to try this same recipe with ground beef.
This came out soupy for me. Any ideas what I did wrong?
Chili can be a little watery and still taste fine. Be sure to drain you meat after browning and really drain your beans well.
Jen– use one tsp. of corn starch mixed with 2 tbs. of cold water to your chili in the last hour of cooking, That should thicken it nicely– that’s what I do for just about any soup or sauce that I think is a little too watery.