Bison Chili (Best Paleo Chili Recipe) - Fed & Fit (2024)

Whether you’re looking for a healthy, robust dish to serve up at a gameday party or you’re simply looking for an easy weeknight dinner, this Paleo Bison Chili is guaranteed to please the whole crowd.

Bison Chili (Best Paleo Chili Recipe) - Fed & Fit (1)

Table of Contents

  • This recipe is…
  • Can ground beef be substituted for ground bison in this recipe?
  • How to Serve
  • Toppings for Paleo Bison Chili
  • More Favorite Chili Recipes
  • Paleo Bison Chili Recipe

This recipe is…

GFGluten FreeDFDairy FreePPaleoLCLow Carb

Chili can be a polarizing topic. Do you like yours with beans? How about with chunks of tomatoes? Must yours be served with a dollop of sour cream, sprinkle of cheese, or pickled jalapenos? Do you insist on your chili served over rice or over nothing? Do you prefer yours with more heat than spice or more spice than heat? Chunk steak or ground meat? So many options. So many beautiful, wonderful, a-recipe-developer’s-dream options.

I’ve come to understand that every family unit has their own signature chili habits. My own little family got into a habit of cooking down almost 1 whole pound of fresh chopped kale into our chunky tomato-rich chili! I call it my Weeknight Leafy Green & Beef Chili and you can find the cherished recipe in my printed ‘Fed & Fit’ book. That chili recipe came to be when I had an entire bag of chopped curly kale nearing its last leg. Desperate to put *something* on the table, leafy green beef chili was born. To my absolute surprise, my husband LOVED the dish. Loved! He asks for it so often, I had to save a copy of the new-memory-rich dish in my printed book.

Bison Chili (Best Paleo Chili Recipe) - Fed & Fit (2)
Bison Chili (Best Paleo Chili Recipe) - Fed & Fit (3)

Today’s recipe is inspired by a different family unit’s signature — my parents. While I do love our leafy green chili, my mom’s chili brings about a different kind of comfort. Its the kind of comfort that only comes from home. I grew up on this style chili and to tell you the honest-to-goodness truth, I’ve spent the last 15-somthing years of my cooking career intentionally NOT learning the recipe. You see, I loved the childish mystery of my mom’s chili! I loved (and still love) our nights at their house where she whips up her signature chili and we all exclaim, “how do you do it?!” She grins, tells me the secret (which I purposefully uncommitted to memory), and then she feels all the warm fuzzies while watching her family enjoy spoon after spoon, bowl after bowl of the simple, nourishing meal.

I’m now happy to report TWO things:

  1. I finally learned the recipe. I finally took notes, praised her for her years of simple genius, and made a batch (for you) from home.
  2. My mom’s chili still holds the same awe-inspiring power over me. Turns out, the magic in this chili had nothing to do with my knowing HOW she made it …it has everything to do with the love, patience, and intention that goes into the dish. If anything, it’s even more special to me now.

Can ground beef be substituted for ground bison in this recipe?

So, there you have it, friends! While I made this version with ground bison, you can absolutely make it with ground beef. It’s simple, from the heart, and a signature of my childhood.

How to Serve

Serve it over whatever makes you happiest (white rice, cauliflower rice, mashed potatoes, a baked potato, or even some cooked vegetables).

Toppings for Paleo Bison Chili

Garnish with your favorite toppings. I prefer mine with a touch of purple onion, some fresh jalapeno, and fresh cilantro. The Paleo Sour Cream from my ‘Fed & Fit’ book (or just plane old sour cream) would make for a tasty topping, too!

Bison Chili (Best Paleo Chili Recipe) - Fed & Fit (4)
Bison Chili (Best Paleo Chili Recipe) - Fed & Fit (5)

More Favorite Chili Recipes

Pumpkin Turkey Chili RecipePaleo Beef Chili CasseroleEasy Homemade Beef Chili

Paleo Bison Chili

By Cassy

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 45 minutes mins

Total: 55 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Bison Chili (Best Paleo Chili Recipe) - Fed & Fit (10)

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Whether you’re looking for a healthy, robust dish to serve up at a gameday party or you’re simply looking for an easy weeknight dinner, this Paleo Bison Chili is guaranteed to please the whole crowd.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds ground bison may use ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon grass-fed butter ghee, or your favorite cooking fat
  • 1 small yellow onion finely chopped
  • 3 large cloves garlic minced
  • 3 tablespoons chili powder
  • 3 tablespoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 24 ounces tomato puree or tomato sauce
  • 1.5 cups or 12 ounces water tip from my mom: just fill the tomato puree jar halfway up
  • fresh cilantro for garnish
  • fresh jalapenos for garnish
  • chopped purple onion for garnish

Instructions

  • Place a large heavy-bottomed pot (like enameled cast iron) or simply large pot over medium/high heat. Add the ground bison, break it up with a spoon, and stir until it’s completely browned. This may take about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the ground meat to a separate bowl, leaving the drippings behind in the pan.

  • Add the butter to the pan and then the chopped onion. Saute until the onions are translucent and then add the garlic. Keep cooking until the onions start to develop a slightly brown color.

  • Return the ground meat to the pan, stir to combine, and then add the seasonings. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the spices darken in color slightly.

  • Add the tomato puree and water, stir to combine, and let simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes, or until some of the water has evaporated off.

  • Serve over the base of your choosing and garnish as you like!

Nutrition

Calories: 429kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 111mg | Sodium: 609mg | Potassium: 1127mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1861IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 88mg | Iron: 9mg

Additional Info

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 429

Keyword: bison chili, paleo bison chili, paleo chili

Bison Chili (Best Paleo Chili Recipe) - Fed & Fit (11)

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Chili Cooking Method Dairy Free Dinner Food Gluten Free Low Carb One-Pot Meals Paleo Stovetop

About the Author

Cassy Joy Garcia, NC

Cassy Joy Garcia, a New York Times best-selling author, of Cook Once Dinner Fix, Cook Once Eat All Week, and Fed and Fit as well as the creative force behind the popular food blog Fed & Fit.

Read More About Me

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Bison Chili (Best Paleo Chili Recipe) - Fed & Fit (2024)

FAQs

What is the best meat combination for chili? ›

When making chili, former Southern Living Test Kitchen Director, Robby Melvin, recommends using a mix of ground chuck and ground sirloin. "It's the best of both worlds," he says. "You get a balanced lean-to-fat ratio from the chuck and the hearty, beefy leanness from the sirloin."

How do you make chili that doesn't cause gas? ›

Instead of using beans, add veggies like carrots, celery, or green peppers. You could also try soaking and sprouting dried beans rather than using canned (which are harder to digest). The sprouting method makes them easier for your stomach to digest.

Should I drain beef for chili? ›

The beef will release a lot of fat and liquid — do not drain it; you'll skim the fat off at the end. Add the ancho chili powder, chipotle chili powder, cumin, oregano, coriander, smoked paprika, and cinnamon (if using). Cook, stirring frequently, for 1 to 2 minutes, until well combined and fragrant.

What adds the most flavor to chili? ›

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.

What is the key to the best chili? ›

Spices: I like simple flavor, some cumin, coriander, allspice, salt, and fresh tomato, onion, and garlic. Secret Ingredients & Technique: Fresh chile is key and any will do, I prefer Datil because of its unique flavor. Whole pork and steak cuts (not ground!).

What spice reduces gas in beans? ›

Add ajwain or epazote – both of these spices will decrease gas production – I swear by the epazote! Just add about a tablespoon to a large pot of beans during the cooking process. You can also add ginger or cumin as these spices help with digestion.

Is chili good for your gut? ›

Chilies also contain capsaicin, which is what gives them their heat. And the capsaicin is the source of a lot of other health benefits. Capsaicin may help to improve digestion by increasing the amount of digestive fluids in your stomach. It may also help fight bacterial infections.

What beans cause the least gas? ›

The easiest beans to digest (therefore less likely to cause gas), according to Country Life Foods, are lentils, black eyed beans, adzuki beans and mung beans. (Click through to learn more about the amazing health benefits of mung beans.) The harder ones to digest are red kidney, soy, black and lima beans.

What is Texas Roadhouse chili made of? ›

Texas Roadhouse Chili Ingredients

Ground Chuck (80/20 ground beef) Garlic – minced garlic – you can use jarred or fresh. Onion – diced yellow onion is best. Jalapenos – I used 1 jalapeno and removed the seeds.

What is a Texas chili? ›

Texas chili is unique from other chilis in that it does not contain beans or tomato sauce, or any tomato product. It is made primarily of meat and a thick and flavor chili paste made from dried peppers. It is more akin to a thick and hearty beef stew that most chilis with a focus on chili pepper flavor.

What is wolf chili made of? ›

Our most popular variety made with good hearty beef and a unique blend of seasonings. Available Sizes: 7.25., 10 oz.,15 oz.,19 oz., 24 oz., 40 oz.,106 oz.

What not to put in chili? ›

Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.

Which onion is best for chili? ›

Yellow Onions: These are the most versatile and widely available type of onion, and are a good choice for chili con carne. They have a slightly sweet, sharp, and tangy flavor that adds depth and complexity to the dish.

What is the secret to competition chili? ›

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.

What is the most popular meat in Chile? ›

Popular meats in Chile:
  • Chicken: Chicken is a versatile meat used in many Chilean recipes. ...
  • Other meats like rabbit and goat are an essential part of regional dishes.
  • Beef: Beef is a staple in Chilean cuisine and is used in various traditional dishes.

What can I add to chili to make it unique? ›

5 Secret Ingredients That'll Take Your Chili to the Next Level
  1. Cocoa Powder. Chocolate might not be the first thing you think of when you're making a batch of chili but it pairs perfectly with peppers. ...
  2. Beer. Why use water or stock as your liquid when you could add beer? ...
  3. Coffee. ...
  4. Cinnamon.
Sep 12, 2021

Is chicken or beef stock better for chili? ›

Luckily, there isn't a right or wrong answer. Beef broth adds a hearty, robust flavor, while chicken broth brings a lighter, more delicate taste. Veggie broth or organic mushroom broth is a great option for those who prefer a plant-based chili.

References

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