Go Back
+ servings
ground bison chili in a bowl with sour cream, cheddar cheese, and tortilla chips
Print

Spicy Ground Bison Chili

A bean-free lean ground bison chili with a beaucoup of spicy peppers and veggies.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Simmer Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Servings 10 Servings
Calories 295kcal
Author Mason Woodruff

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil divided
  • 2 ½ pounds Ground Bison
  • 2 Sweet Onions finely diced
  • 2 Poblano or Bell Peppers finely diced
  • 2 small Jalapeño Peppers seeds removed and finely diced
  • 2 Fresno Chiles seeds removed and finely diced
  • 1 Carrot peeled and finely grated or diced
  • 2 teaspoons Kosher Salt
  • 4 cloves Garlic crushed or minced
  • ¼ cup (66g) Tomato Paste
  • 12 oz Dark Beer**
  • 1 packet (1/4 cup) Chili Seasoning
  • 1 can (28oz) Fire Roasted Crushed Tomatoes
  • 4 cups Low Sodium Beef Broth
  • 3 Bay Leaves

For Finishing

  • 1-2 Tablespoons Balsamic or Red Wine Vinegar
  • 1-2 handfuls Fresh Herbs
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Heat a large (at least 5.5-quart) Dutch oven or heavy bottomed pot over medium-high heat with 1 Tbsp olive oil. Once hot, add the bison and cook for 4-5 minutes to brown one side before breaking apart and fully cooking. Use a slotted spoon or spatula to transfer the cooked bison to a bowl and set aside.
  • Add the remaining olive oil to the pot, followed by the onion, peppers, carrots, and 2 tsp salt. Cook until the veggies begin to soften, about 8-10 minutes. Stir in the garlic and tomato paste. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  • Add the cooked bison to the pot along with the beer. Deglaze and cook until very little liquid remains, about 4-5 minutes.
  • Stir in the chili seasoning, followed by the crushed tomatoes, broth, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil before reducing the heat to low, covering, and simmering for 2-3 hours (the longer, the better). Stir the chili every 30-45 minutes.
  • Before serving, stir in some chopped herbs like chives, parsley, oregano, or dill and a splash of vinegar. Salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

*You can use all jalapeño peppers if you can't find Fresno chiles. Swapping jalapeño peppers for poblano or bell peppers will reduce the spice level. Alternatively, you can leave some seeds/membranes in the peppers to increase the heat.
**I used a stout, but any beer works. You can use non-alcoholic beer or broth with a bit of vinegar or Worcestershire sauce as substitutes.
You can buy 5-pound packs of Great Range ground bison at Costco or 1-pound packs at Whole Foods. This chili would work fine with just 2 pounds, if using the latter.

Nutrition

Serving: 12ounces | Calories: 295kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 16g