Best Bison Chili Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to really good chili? ›

Only Add Flavorful Liquids

Instead of adding water to your chili, add some more flavor with chicken or beef broth, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, or even beet or wine. Each one of these options brings out different notes and levels of sweetness that will enhance your culinary creation.

Seasoning: As with grilling, keep the seasoning simple to highlight the natural flavors of bison meat. Season the steaks with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and any preferred herbs or spices. You can also add a touch of olive oil to help the seasoning adhere to the meat.

Nice and lean, ground bison cooks quickly, so I like to grill, roast or sauté at a medium temperature (as opposed to medium high for beef), remove from heat and 5-10 minutes before serving. Lean meats do have more of a tendency to stick, so use plenty of oil.

Bison is leaner than beef and may be a healthier choice if you're looking to reduce your calorie or fat intake. It has nearly 25% fewer calories than beef and is lower in total and saturated fat ( 2 , 3 ).

Stir some puréed pumpkin into your chili just after sautéing your aromatics (onions, garlic, etc...) and before adding any liquid. This will deepen and sweeten its flavor, making it a great balance for all the chile peppers and heat.

If you want more of a smoky flavor, add cumin, Spanish paprika, ancho chili powder, or a combination. If you are looking for more heat, add cayenne, crushed red pepper, or Hungarian paprika. If it's too spicy add a little brown sugar and some sweet paprika.

Bison is very lean and lacks fat marbling, so care should be taken to not overcook it. In general, bison should be cooked using low heat (325 °F or 162.8 °C) and longer cooking times. Less tender cuts should be braised (roasted or simmered with a small amount of liquid in a tightly covered pan) or stewed.

What Does Bison Taste Like? Think of the best steak or burger you've ever had: The flavor of bison meat can easily compete with it. It tastes similar to beef but has a slightly sweet undertone that sets it apart. Unlike some specialty meats, bison is not gamey, and it's incredibly tender no matter how you prepare it.

Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Promoting Heart Health

Research has found that omega-3 fatty acids hold the potential to effectively lower blood pressure, quell inflammation within the body and notably mitigate the likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases.

Why Is Bison Meat More Expensive Than Beef? Bison costs more than beef at most stores for a few reasons. First, there is far less bison available than beef, with just 20,000 bison slaughtered a year compared to the 125,000 beef animals slaughtered each day.

Can I eat ground bison everyday? ›

“And certainly, don't eat bison every night,” adds Pritikin dietitian Kimberly Gomer. “Just because some cuts of bison are healthier than beef does not mean that bison is a free-for-all.” Bison, even genuinely lean cuts like tenderloin, still contain some saturated fat.

Because it cooks so much faster, caution needs to be taken not to overcook the meat. Overcooked bison will be like shoe leather and may attain a liver-like taste due to the high iron content. Whether a burger or a steak, bison meat should never be cooked beyond medium. Medium rare to rare is recommended.

As a result, bison meat can cause brucellosis, an infection normally caused by eating undercooked meat. This disease is caused by a bacteria called Brucella. If you are infected, you may have a fever, back and joint pain, flu-like symptoms, and arthritis.

What we in North America are used to calling “buffalo” is actually bison - American Bison specifically. Easily recognizable by its huge size and prominent hump, it's found all over the US and Canada, and it's actually what your "buffalo burgers" are made of.

Beef refers specifically to domesticated cattle raised for meat production. Buffalo is a different meat product and is marketed as “bison” (the correct name for the American animal), or “buffalo”. Understand that the proper term is “bison”, not “buffalo”.

Professional chefs shared their favorite ways to turn a can of chili into a tastier option. Cocoa, beer, and cinnamon are ingredients that'll boost the flavor of your dish. Fresh toppings are an easy way to add new flavor and texture to the premade meal.

Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

Additional Depth of Flavor

Ingredients like tomato paste, cinnamon, coffee and liquid smoke can all add flavor hints that will make your chili cook-off entry unique. Roast your vegetables and use broth or beer instead of water for even more flavor in your pot.