Recipe /

Idaho Mule Deer Chili with Potatoes and Onions

Idaho cooking wants a wild game chili that feels rooted in the ground it came from. This version uses mule deer with the produce and pantry notes that already belong to Idaho.

Recipe Details

  • Prep time: 20 minutes
  • Cook time: 55 minutes
  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: Moderate

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds ground mule deer
  • 2 tablespoons neutral oil
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 2 cups diced potatoes
  • 2 cups diced onions
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons chile powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 cups stock
  • Kosher salt and black pepper

Instructions

  1. Brown the mule deer in oil and remove it to a bowl.
  2. Cook the onion, potatoes, and onions until the edges pick up color, then stir in the garlic and spices.
  3. Return the meat to the pot with tomatoes and stock and simmer until thick and settled.
  4. Season aggressively and serve with cornbread, rice, or a spoonful of sour cream.

Why It Works In Idaho

This recipe is tied to Idaho through the species, the pantry direction, and the produce that already belongs to the place. It is meant to read as part of a state-first archive, not a generic outdoor cookbook.