Hearty Elk Chili Recipe: Warm Up Your Winter!
Warm up your evenings with this Hearty & Flavorful Elk Chili recipe! This robust chili is packed with tender elk meat, rich spices, and a deep, satisfying flavor that's perfect for a chilly night. Easy to make and guaranteed to impress, this is the ultimate guide to cooking delicious elk chili.
Equipment
- 1 Large Dutch Oven or Pot Heavy bottomed for even cooking
- 1 Cutting Board For chopping vegetables
Ingredients
Chili Ingredients
- 2 lbs Ground Elk Meat or diced elk stew meat
- 1 large Onion diced
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 each Green Bell Pepper diced
- 1 can (28 oz) Crushed Tomatoes undrained
- 1 can (15 oz) Kidney Beans drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) Black Beans drained and rinsed
- 1 cup Beef Broth or water
- 2 tbsp Chili Powder adjust to taste
- 1 tsp Cumin ground
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika optional
- 1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper optional, for heat
- 1 tsp Salt or to taste
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper freshly ground
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil or vegetable oil
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and diced green bell pepper and cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant. Add ground elk meat and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans, beef broth, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika (if using), cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 1 hour, or up to 2 hours, stirring occasionally. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors will meld.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve hot, garnished with your favorite chili toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped cilantro, or green onions.
Notes
Chef's Note: For an even richer flavor, try browning the elk meat in batches to ensure good searing. You can also add a tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder or a small piece of dark chocolate to the chili during the last 30 minutes of simmering for added depth. For a spicier chili, increase the cayenne pepper or add a pinch of red pepper flakes. This chili tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prepping!