Bison Chili with Black Beans has big flavor and is an easy chili recipe. A fun twist on traditional chili recipes.
Updated February 2019
Whether staying warm by a fire or striking out for some wintery outdoor adventure, Bison Chili with Black Beans is a perfect spicy recipe to enjoy!
Earthy spices to tackle bone-chilling temperatures head on are just the start of what makes this bison chili so irresistibly good.
Why Bison Chili?
Bison has become popular over the past several years mainly due to being a leaner red meat than beef.
It is also richer in flavor than beef without tasting gamey.
Lastly, it’s packed with great nutrition so some promote it as a ‘healthier red meat’.
Bison is readily available in most grocery stores; usually pre-packaged as ground meat in 1-pound packages.
NOTE: if bison isn’t available in your area, ground beef may be substituted.
What Does Bison Taste Like?
Honestly, it’s very close to ground beef. Slightly lighter in flavor and a bit sweeter.
It does not taste gamey at all.
Ingredients in Bison Chili
Long ingredients lists tend to make me shy away BUT this bison chili is a different story.
The length of this bison recipe is deceiving in that most of the ingredients are either canned or spices to be quickly measured out.
There is a time-saving tip to prepare the vegetables too!
Here is what is in this bison chili recipe:
- olive oil
- ground bison/buffalo meat (lean ground beef may be substituted)
- corn (canned, frozen or fresh)
- diced tomatoes (canned)
- kidney beans (canned)
- black beans (canned)
- yellow onion
- garlic cloves
- red bell pepper
- yellow bell pepper
- green bell pepper
- canned diced mild green chilies
- chili powder
- kosher salt
- ground cumin
- red pepper flakes
- black pepper
- tomato juice or Bloody Mary mix
Make It Spicy or Not
The amount of spiciness can be controlled by starting with the amount of chili powder and red pepper flakes and adding more later if more heat is desired.
Also either tomato juice (mild) OR Bloody Mary mix (spicy) so make your choice to suit your taste.
Time-Saving Preparation Tip
Instead of hand chopping the onions, garlic and peppers, process them in a mini chopper or food processor!
Because they are added to the bison chili at the same time, they can be chopped together instead of separately too.
How to Make Bison Chili with Black Beans – Step by Step
- Heat the olive oil in a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Add the ground bison and brown, breaking up the meat into small pieces. NOTE: no pink color should remain.
- Combine the remaining chili ingredients (not the toppings); stir to fully mix together.
- Cover and simmer over low heat for 45 minutes; stirring periodically to prevent sticking.
- Serve with desired toppings.
Toppings for this Bison Recipe
I personally think the toppings may be the best part of eating chili!
Not only can additional flavor be added but sour cream in particular is great to tone down spicy heat!
Here are some suggested toppings for this easy chili recipe:
- Fresh torn cilantro leaves
- Shredded Mexican blend or Cheddar cheese
- Sour Cream
Soft corn tortillas are great for dipping too!
Serve with this delicious Cornbread recipe!
How to Store Bison Chili
Bison chili is fantastic the following day.
Like many chili recipes, the flavors continue to develop even after the cooking has ended!
Store in the refrigerator in a sealed container for 3-4 days.
How to Freeze Bison Chili
Chili is a great recipe to freeze! The texture is not affected by freezing and thawing.
The flavor stays great too!
How To Freeze:
- Cook and cool the chili.
- Add to a freezer safe container or bag (leaving 1/2-inch space at the top for expansion if using a container).
- Freeze for 4-6 months.
Want more chili recipes? The Best Chili Recipes has choices for all diners and multiple cooking methods (slow cooker, Instant Pot and conventional).
If you made this Bison Chili with Black Beans recipe, please RATE THE RECIPE below in the comments!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground bison/buffalo meat (lean ground beef may be substituted)
- 2 cups corn canned, frozen (no need thaw) or fresh
- 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes undrained
- 1 15-ounce can kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 1 15-ounce can black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 1 yellow bell pepper chopped
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- 1 4-ounce can mild green chilies
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt or to taste
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups tomato juice or Bloody Mary mix *
Optional ingredients
- 2-3 teaspoons Epazote (an herb used in Mexican cooking which diffuses the digestive effect of beans)
Suggested Toppings
- Chopped fresh cilantro
- Sour cream
- Grated Cheese
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high.
- Add the bison/buffalo meat and brown, breaking into small pieces as it cooks (3-5 minuts). NOTE: there should be no pink color remaining. If substituting ground beef, drain (bison will render almost no fat).
- Add the corn, diced tomatoes, beans, onion , garlic, peppers, green chilies, spices and tomato juice or Bloody Mary mix. Stir to fully combine.
- Simmer, covered, for 45 minutes, stirring periodically to prevent sticking.
- Serve in bowls with toppings as desired.
Sommer says
This tastes terrific!
Sam says
Being so new to cooking with bison, this recipe came so handy. It was so delicious. Thanks for sharing.
Maddie says
I was skeptical about the bison at first, but it is DELICIOUS!
Becky Hardin says
Today is the perfect day for a big bowl of this chili! Rainy and cold.
Liz says
We love bison burgers so it was fun to try it in chili! Such a terrific recipe!!!
Cheryl S says
This has quickly become a family favorite!
Ashley F says
I don’t have bison often but I love it in this chili! So flavorful!
Katerina @ diethood .com says
This looks fantastic!! I bet it tastes amaaaazing!! YUM!
Aimee Shugarman says
LOVE this chili. So flavorful 🙂
Boulder Locavore says
Ladymorgiana: Not sure if you have access to Epazote in your area but it is an herb used in Mexican cooking that purportedly addresses the 'digestive effects' of beans. I learned about it in a cooking class in Santa Fe New Mexico and use it religiously in these types of dishes. Seems to work without changing the flavor profile.
adventuresomekitchen says
Oh I love Bear Lake!! Snowshoeing in the mountains is absolutely the best! I love the buffalo chile recipe, and I'm reminded I've some local ground beef in the freezer perfect for making something like this in the coming week! Thanks for the inspiration!!
My Kitchen in the Rockies says
I purchase ground Buffalo all the time. It is just wonderful in a Chili and also great for Burgers. I made the same Chili out of the Colore for New Years Eve, but never got around taking a picture of it. This recipe is also one of my favorite, so is the cookbook.
RMNP is just so beautiful. I visited for the very first time in 1993 from Germany before ever knowing that I would be living so close in the future. Your oictures are wonderful and I am sure you had a great day.
Diann G. says
Anxiously awaiting the Oatmeal Cookie recipe! Sounds delicious!
Lea Ann says
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of my favorite places on earth. I have to admit, I've never been there in the winter. Thanks for taking us along with your beautiful photos and that chili looks wonderful. I have an oatmeal cookie recipe that I've made since I was a kid. They are my favorite cookies.
ladymorgiana says
Awwww pretty pics! Happy you had a great time in snow 🙂 Thank you for sharing recipe, I love it but would try it sans beans – beans and I we aren't friends 😉