Tri-State Outdoor News

This is chili season and there is nothing better than good venison chili. You can whip up a big pot and let it simmer all day. Not only does it fill you belly at mealtime, it also fills the whole house with great scents during the day.

If you really want to get your kids involved with every aspect of the hunt, have them help you cook. There’s no better way to spend time together than mixing and stirring ingredients into a big, old pot of chili.

So grab your ingredients and grandma’s old mixing spoon and get to work on one of these great venison chili recipes. And remember, these are just guidelines. Feel free to add or substitute ingredients if there is something you think you would like better. Cooking is all about experimentation, so get after it and have some fun.

Chili with Wine

2 lbs. venison, cubed or ground
4 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
4 lg. tomatoes, coarsely chopped
2 med. onions, coarsely chopped
2 c. water
2 tbsp. chili powder
1/2 tbsp. ground cumin
2 tbsp. molasses
1 c. red wine
2 tbsp. jalapeno peppers, chopped and deseeded (may adjust to make more or less spicy)
1/2 med. green bell pepper, coarsely chopped
4 tbsp. cooking oil
1 tbsp. sweet basil
1/2 tbsp. black pepper, coarsely ground
1 tsp. salt

In a large pot, saute venison in hot oil until slightly browned. Add garlic, onion, and bell pepper; continue to
saute until onion is translucent. Add water, tomatoes, jalapeno pepper, chili powder, cumin, molasses, salt, pepper, and basil; simmer for at least 2 hours. 30 minutes before serving, add red wine.

Texas Venison Chili
2 lbs. coarsely ground venison
1/4 c. vegetable oil
1 c. chopped onions
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 lg. green pepper, cut in strips
3 tbsp. chili powder
2 tsp. sugar
3 1/2 c. whole tomatoes
1 c. tomato sauce
1 c. water
1/2 tsp. salt
2 c. kidney beans

Brown venison in vegetable oil. Add onions, garlic, and green pepper. Cook 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Add chili powder, sugar, tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, and salt. Simmer 1 1/2 hours. Just before serving, add kidney beans. Serves 6-8.

Fast Chili
1 c. minced green pepper
1 c. minced green onion
2 lbs. ground venison
1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
2 c. water
1 pkg. 2 Alarm chili mix

Saute green pepper and onion in a little oil. Add venison and sear until brown. Add tomato sauce, water, and all
packets in chili mix. Cook about 1 hour over low heat. Serve on buns.