Bison Stampede Chili A Hearty Bowl of the West

Recipe Introduction

Ever wondered what cowboys ate around the campfire? Well, maybe not exactly this , but my bison chili recipe is a modern take on hearty Western fare.

Honestly, it's my go-to when I want something comforting but with a bit of a kick. We are going to make Hearty Bison Chili Recipe with the best cuts.

The secret? A touch of cocoa for a rich, complex flavor!

What's the Deal With Bison Chili?

This ground buffalo chili recipe isn't just another chili. It's a taste of the American West, with a bit of a smoky edge.

While Chili's origins trace back to the southwestern United States, bison adds a unique twist. This particular recipe takes about 2 hours and 55 minutes from start to finish.

This makes 6-8 servings perfect for a family dinner or a casual get-together. I love sharing it on game day!

Benefits of This Bowl of Goodness

Bison is leaner than beef, so you get a hearty meal with less fat. Bison Dinner Recipes are a great way to have a great protein with less fat.

The top health benefit ? It is packed with protein and iron, keeping you full and energized. It's also the perfect dish for a chilly autumn evening.

I always make a big pot when the leaves start turning. What really sets this best bison chili recipe apart is the depth of flavor.

The combination of smoky spices, fire-roasted tomatoes, and a touch of cocoa creates something truly special.

Time to Round Up the Ingredients!

Ready to get cooking? Don't be daunted by the list of ingredients. I promise, it's all pretty standard stuff. You can probably find most of it in your local Tesco, Asda or Sainsbury's.

Get ready to get your chef on!

Spicing It Up

If you like a bit of a kick, you can easily make it a Spicy Bison Chili . The Jalapeno peppers are key, but feel free to add cayenne pepper as you deem necessary.

If you are not a spicy person, you can make a Bison Chili Recipe No Beans , and leave out the cayenne peppers and/ or Jalapeno peppers.

Bison Stampede Chili A Hearty Bowl of the West Recipe Card

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Preparation time:25 Mins

Cooking time:02 Hrs 30 Mins

Servings:6-8 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (30 ml)
• 2 pounds ground bison (900g)
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped (about 1 cup)
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped (about 1 cup)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional, adjust to taste)
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed fire-roasted tomatoes (800g)
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce (425g)
• 1 (15 ounce) can dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained (425g)
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained (425g)
• 1 cup beef broth or chicken broth (240ml)
• 1 ounce unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped (28g) or 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar (or maple syrup)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions:

• Heat olive oil in the Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground bison and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
• Add the onion, bell peppers, garlic, and jalapeño (if using) to the pot. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes.
• Stir in the chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to release the flavors of the spices.
• Stir in the crushed fire-roasted tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, and black beans.
• Pour in the beef broth, add the chopped chocolate (or cocoa powder), apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for at least 2 hours, or up to 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
• Taste the chili and season with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and top with your favorite toppings.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:420

Fat:20g

Fiber:8g

Recipe Info

Category:Main Course

Cuisine:American

Ingredients & Equipment for the Best Bison Chili Recipe

Right, let's talk ingredients. Get ready for a hearty bison chili recipe that’ll blow your socks off. Seriously, this ground buffalo chili recipe is amazing.

Main Ingredients: Let's get this show on the road!

• Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons (30 ml). Any decent brand will do.
• Ground Bison: 2 pounds (900g). Look for a good, lean grind, not too much fat. If you see that Teds Montana Grill Chili Recipe uses bison, they’re onto something!
• Yellow Onion: 1 large , chopped. That's about 1 1/2 cups.
• Bell Peppers: 1 green & 1 red , chopped. About 1 cup each.
• Garlic: 3 cloves , minced. The more, the merrier, honestly.
• Jalapeño: 1 , seeded and minced. Optional, add more for a spicy bison chili !
• Fire-Roasted Tomatoes: 1 (28 ounce) can (800g) crushed. Quality counts here for that smoky flavor.
• Tomato Sauce: 1 (15 ounce) can (425g). Standard stuff.
• Kidney Beans: 1 (15 ounce) can (425g) dark red, rinsed and drained.
• Black Beans: 1 (15 ounce) can (425g) rinsed and drained.
• Beef Broth: 1 cup (240ml). Low sodium is best, taste it.
• Unsweetened Chocolate: 1 ounce (28g) finely chopped or 1 tablespoon cocoa powder. Sounds weird, adds depth.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: 1 tablespoon . Trust me on this one.
• Brown Sugar: 1 teaspoon . Or maple syrup, if you're feeling fancy.

Seasoning Notes: The Flavor Bomb!

Chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, and cayenne pepper. Boom! This combo is essential. Adjust cayenne for heat. No smoked paprika? Use regular, but add a tiny drop of liquid smoke.

Salt and pepper? To taste, obviously. This easy bison chili recipe is totally adaptable.

Equipment Needed: Keep it Simple, Stupid

Just a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot. A cutting board and a good chef’s knife are a must. Measuring spoons and cups.

No fancy gadgets needed for this best bison chili recipe . If you haven't got a Dutch oven, any big pot will do, just keep an eye on the bottom to stop anything sticking.

Honestly, this chili is proper lush, the kind of thing that warms you from the inside out. And if you're looking for bison dinner recipes that are a bit different, this is it! Why not try to cook it slow cooker bison chili .

The ground buffalo recipes are a really good choice.

Cooking Method: Simmering Our Way to Bison Chili Perfection

Hey there, chili aficionados! So, we're diving deep into the art of simmering. Yep, simmering, that low and slow cooking method that transforms simple ingredients into something truly special.

And trust me, for this bison chili recipe , simmering is everything . It's like giving your chili a spa day, letting all those flavors mingle and get to know each other.

Prep Steps: The "Mise" en Place

First things first: mise en place , baby! Honestly, this is my mantra in the kitchen. It means getting everything prepped and ready.

Chop your onion, bell peppers – all the colorful stuff. Mince your garlic. This essential mise en place will save you time and prevent that oh-my-gosh-I-forgot-the-garlic moment halfway through.

Also grab that beautiful ground bison. Now's also a good time to open your tins of kidney beans and black beans, and rinse them.

I always, always put on some music while I do this. Makes even chopping onions feel like a party! And speaking of safety, keep those knives sharp and your fingers out of the way.

Step-by-Step: The Simmering Symphony

1. Brown that bison! Heat olive oil in your Dutch oven over medium-high heat . Add the ground bison and brown it. Drain off any fat.
2. Sauté time . Add your chopped onion, bell peppers, garlic, and jalapeño (if using). Cook until veggies soften, about 5- 7 minutes .
3. Spice it up! Stir in your chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, and cayenne pepper . Cook for 1 minute – this wakes up the spices.
4. Tomato and bean party! Add those crushed fire-roasted tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, and black beans .
5. The simmer! Pour in your beef broth. Add that secret ingredient: chopped unsweetened chocolate (or cocoa powder) . Plus the vinegar and brown sugar. Bring it to a simmer, then reduce heat, cover, and cook for a minimum of 2 hours (up to 3 hours) . The longer, the better!
6. Taste and tweak. Season with salt and pepper. Serve it up with all your favourite toppings.

Pro Tips for the Best Bison Chili Recipe

• Patience is key! Don’t rush the simmer. It’s during this time that the magic happens. This will make it a hearty bison chili recipe
• Common mistake alert: Not browning the bison properly. Get a good sear for maximum flavor.
• Make-ahead win: This chili is even better the next day. Perfect for meal prep!

This easy bison chili recipe is not only delicious but also adaptable. Feel free to play around with the spice levels.

I hope you enjoy making this chili. Let me know what you think!

Recipe Notes for Your Kickin' Bison Chili

Alright, so you're ready to dive into making this bison chili recipe , eh? Honestly, there are a few things I've learned along the way that can make all the difference.

I thought of that during one of my favorite TV shows, and my kids loved it so much. So listen up!

Serving Up This Hearty Bison Chili Recipe

Plating and Presentation Ideas: Listen, sometimes it's the simple things, right? A hearty bowl of this ground buffalo chili recipe is already gorgeous, but why not kick it up a notch? I love serving mine in rustic bowls, maybe with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro or a dollop of sour cream.

If you're feeling fancy, a little swirl of hot sauce never hurt anyone.

Complementary Sides or Beverages: You know, chili just begs for good company! Cornbread is a classic, obvs. And what is better than a crispy cornbread to serve with a big warm soup.

Tortilla chips are also a great way to get all those bits of soup. As for drinks, I reckon a cold beer or even a simple margarita would be bangin'!

Keeping Your Bison Chili Fresh

Refrigeration Guidelines: Oh my gosh! If you've got leftovers (and trust me, you might!), just pop it in an airtight container and it will be great for about 3-4 days in the fridge.

Freezing Options: Want to make a big batch for later? Absolutely! This easy bison chili recipe freezes like a dream.

Let it cool completely, then portion it into freezer-safe bags or containers. It will keep for up to 3 months .

Defrost overnight in the fridge.

Reheating Instructions: Reheating is a breeze! Just heat it up on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it's heated through.

A microwave works too, just make sure to stir it every minute or so.

Variations on the Stampede Chili

Dietary Adaptations: Want to make this bison dinner recipe a bit healthier? Easy peasy! You can use less oil when browning the bison.

To make it Bison Chili Recipe No Beans , simply omit the beans.

Seasonal Ingredient Swaps: I love experimenting with what's in season. In the fall, maybe add some roasted butternut squash. In the summer, some fresh corn could be amazing.

It's your best bison chili recipe now.

Cracking the Nutrition Basics

Simplified Nutrition Information: Okay, so each serving is roughly 420 calories, 35g of protein, 20g of fat, 30g of carbs, and 8g of fiber.

Key Health Benefits: Bison is leaner than beef, so that's a win! Plus, you're getting loads of protein and fiber from the beans and veggies.

It’s a really hearty bison chili recipe to keep you warm and full.

So, there you have it! Don't be scared to experiment. Have fun and just enjoy the process. I hope you found all of this helpful.

Happy cooking and go and enjoy your spicy bison chili !