Description
Savory bison chili delivers robust southwestern flavors through tender meat and rich spices. Comforting ingredients meld together, creating a satisfying meal you’ll crave during chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (1 lb / 454 grams) ground bison
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Canned Ingredients and Broth:
- 1 can (14 ounces / 414 milliliters) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (14 ounces / 414 milliliters) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (14 ounces / 414 milliliters) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) beef or vegetable broth
Spices:
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sear ground bison in a skillet over medium-high heat until nicely browned, approximately 5-7 minutes. Thoroughly drain any rendered fat.
- Transfer browned meat directly into the slow cooker, ensuring even distribution across the bottom.
- Incorporate finely chopped onions and minced garlic, mixing thoroughly with the bison to distribute aromatics evenly.
- Pour in diced tomatoes, kidney and black beans, creating a rich, robust base for the chili.
- Add beef broth and sprinkle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and oregano across the surface, stirring to integrate all spices completely.
- Season with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, gently folding ingredients to ensure uniform seasoning.
- Secure slow cooker lid and set temperature to low, allowing chili to simmer and develop deep, complex flavors for 6-7 hours.
- Thirty minutes before serving, taste and fine-tune seasoning, adding additional spices if needed for balanced flavor profile.
- Serve hot, optionally garnishing with fresh cilantro, shredded cheese, or a dollop of sour cream for added richness.
Notes
- Opt for lean bison meat to reduce overall fat content while maintaining rich, robust flavor profiles.
- Consider using low-sodium broth and canned beans to control salt intake for health-conscious individuals.
- Experiment with additional protein sources like quinoa or lentils to create a more diverse and nutritionally balanced chili.
- Allow chili to rest for 15-20 minutes after cooking to enhance spice integration and develop deeper, more complex taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg