Easy Venison Chili Recipe [Gluten-Free]

This ground venison chili is the kind of recipe that works on both ends of the spectrum, fast enough for a weeknight dinner, but flavorful and comforting enough for a relaxed Sunday dinner. It comes together in under an hour and delivers all the rich, classic chili comfort you expect, just with the added benefit of leaner wild game.

Serve this deer chili recipe with tortilla chips, a dollop of cashew sour cream, or load it up with your favorite toppings. Either way, you’ll sink into that first bite and feel completely wrapped in comfort, the same cozy eling you get from gluten-free Salisbury steak or gluten-free chicken and rice soup.

Ingredients You'll Need

Just like steak chili, this venison dinner comes together with easy, gluten-free pantry staples.

• Ground venison: Another word for elk or deer. This type of meat is normally very lean in nature, but can have a bit more of a “wild game” or tough flavor if not cooked properly. It is most often compared to beef; however, their flavors are very different. If you have extra, you can use it in something like this inside out egg roll, or venison bolognese for a fun twist.
• Zucchini: A great way to use up any remaining zucchini from the garden! Aim for the smaller ones with fewer seeds so that they don't fall apart as easily in the venison chili. This works in pumpkin chili, too.
• Mixed beans: Use what you have on hand and make sure to drain canned beans before using so that you don't dilute the sauce.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Flavor Variations

Protein: You can, of course, substitute ground beef in the venison chili, or use it up in something as comforting like instant pot vegetarian chili. Just make sure to fully drain the fat from the beef (there will be more in the beef than the venison) before adding anything else.

Kick of heat: If you like a hint of spice in your chili recipe with venison, try using fire-roasted diced tomatoes and a few chopped jalapenos. Or, try homemade hot pepper sauce.

Vegetables: You can add or mix and match in your chili to use up what you have in the fridge. We like zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms the most.

Expert Tips

There's no tomato paste in the recipe. If you're finding the texture a bit watery after thirty minutes of simmering, add some tomato paste (about two tablespoons).

More often than not, venison chili actually tastes better the next day when it’s had a chance to sit and thicken in the fridge.

If you need to just make this recipe faster, simply cook the beef ahead of time and then finish the remaining part of the recipe that evening for dinner. Or, make something like slow cooker white chicken chili to be totally hands off.

Serve the best venison chili recipe with cashew sour cream or as part of a chili party along with these chili party ideas.

Make it Whole30-approved: Substitute the beans with sweet potatoes. You’ll need 1 medium to large sweet potato, peeled and chopped into chunks.

How To Meal Prep it

Venison chili makes a great meal prep recipe for lunch or dinner (learn more about making meal prep easy). However, you do need to cook it fully first.

Basically, you want to cook the chili and then portion it into containers once it's cooled. Reheat the venison chili in the microwave in intervals until warmed through, and you’re good to go!

The venison chili will thicken if left to sit in the fridge overnight. You may need to add some water to the pot if reheating the entire batch.

You can also freeze this venison chili recipe once cooled. Leave some room at the top of the container, as it will expand a bit. When you need it, let it thaw overnight in the fridge and then heat it in a slow cooker or over low-ish heat on the stove.

Easy Venison Chili FAQs