Sweater (and vest and jacket and scarf and full-body heating pad) weather is upon us and that means it’s finally time to break out the COMFORT FOOD! Chili and cold weather go hand-in-hand and since the mild fall in NC lasted about 2 seconds (eye roll), I guess this recipe is fair game. I make mine with wild game (usually elk or moose meat) but you can sub in regular beef or turkey if you prefer and the prep time is only 15 minutes!!!!

Entertaining is my thanggg and I love nothing more than having a full house of friends and family but the key to a smooth dinner party is having easy recipes on hand so you actually get a minute to sit down and enjoy the people in your home. Whether you’re cooking for your family on a casual weeknight or preparing a feast for Football Sunday, this recipe is the BOMB and is a hit in any situation.

I always get asked for this recipe and the best part is we ALWAYS?have left-overs so the leftovers are perfect for those busy days when you want something hearty but have no time to cook. It only takes a few minutes to reheat and tastes JUST as good as the day I made it. It’s Tim and Leni approved so I know you and your fam will love it too!

Wild Game Chili

Ingredients:

Olive oil

1 large onion, chopped finely

1-2 pounds of ground wild-game meat (I use elk, but any meat will do!)

4 cloves crushed garlic

2 large can diced tomatoes

2 cans red kidney beans

2 cans white beans

1 can black beans

3+ tbs Chili powder (to taste)

3+ tbs ground cumin (to taste)

4 tbsp brown sugar

2 tsp oregano

1 tsp black pepper

1/2 cup ketchup

Salt, pepper + chili flakes to taste

(Optional: Can add 4 cups spinach in the last 10 minutes of simmering for extra nutrition!)

Directions:

Heat oil in large pot on medium-high heat. Add crushed garlic and onion and cook until fragrant. Add meat and cook until no longer pink. Add remaining ingredients to pot and stir together. Let simmer for 1 hour or more. Can add more chili powder/cumin to taste if you prefer it spicier. Serve over rice and top with shredded cheese.

I mean…How DELICIOUS does this look?! You can’t really go wrong and it’s easy to modify most of the ingredients. If you want to add more chili powder for a spicy kick- I’m all about it! Throw in some frozen corn near the end for a Mexican flair. If you don’t like onions (Tim despises them, so I leave these out)- feel free to skip that step. That’s the fun part about cooking dishes like this… you can adjust it so it’s just how you like it!

Give this recipe a try and be sure to snap a pic, tag me on Instagram or Facebook, and let me know how it is!! If you aren’t the cook in your family, send them this blog and maybe they’ll have some inspiration next time dinner rolls around. For some more delicious (and easy) recipes, check out my Jalapeno Poppers or my Wildgame Meatloaf!

Happy Fall y’all!

– Eva

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