National Chili Day – An Easy Chili Recipe to Celebrate

Happy National Chili Day! To honor today, I called my dad and took the time to write down his chili recipe that I have been eating since I was a wee little kid. It is simple and classic, and my favorite part? He uses venison (deer meat), so it has a unique and amazing flavor. Plus, the added bonus that we don’t have to buy extra meat from the store for it.

Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground deer
• 1 large chopped onion
• 1 can red kidney beans
• 1 can black beans beans
• 1 can pinto beans
• 1 large can stewed tomatoes
• 1 large can crushed tomatoes
• 1 regular can tomato paste (and ½ to 1 can of water, depending on preference)
• ¼ cup ketchup
• 1 small can crushed tomatoes with chili peppers (optional if you want a little kick)
• Heavy handed dash of pepper
• Salt to taste
• 2 tablespoon cumin
• 5 tablespoons chili powder

To Cook

• Brown the ground deer meat in large chili pot until fully cooked, with the chopped onions
• Drain and rinse the deer meat once fully cooked and add back into the large pot
• Add all other ingredients and stir together
• Simmer for 30 minutes. Taste test – if you would like a fuller flavor, add more ketchup (I know, but my dad SWEARS by all of the ketchup!)
• Simmer for at least 30 more minutes to an hour longer
• You could also throw everything into a slow cooker on high for 2-3 hours
• EAT!

Toppings

I didn’t grow up putting a bunch of extra toppings in chili, just some crushed Saltine crackers if we had some, but I have grown to LOVE adding toppings!

• Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• Sour cream
• Hot sauce
• Oyster crackers or crushed saltine crackers
• Finely chopped green onion
• Chopped tomatoes
• Corn
• Cilantro
• Crushed Fritos or corn chips
• Chopped black olives
• Hawaiian rolls or dinner rolls

Hope you all enjoy and celebrate National Chili Day! As always, tag us in your pictures using #ScoutShop and @ScoutshopBSA so we can see what your yummy recipes are and for your chance to be featured on our social channels!