Want to impress your friends with a wild card? Ground bison or venison brings a lean, earthy flavor that’s healthier than beef but still packs a meaty punch. Bison is richer in iron and has a subtle sweetness that wakes up your chili.
The catch? They cook faster and can dry out if you over-simmer. Use them in a two-hour max chili, and add a splash of beef broth to keep things moist.
Fun fact: early American settlers used venison in "pemican"—a dried meat paste—which is basically the ancestor of modern chili. Talk about a throwback!