Ah yes 🦌🍲 — Venison Stew is rich, hearty, and perfect for cold nights. Venison is lean, so slow cooking with vegetables and a flavorful broth is key to tender, melt-in-your-mouth meat. Here’s a detailed recipe:
Venison Stew
Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
Stew
- 2 lbs venison, cubed
- 3 tbsp flour (for dredging)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 2–3 tbsp vegetable oil or olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
- 3 potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced (optional)
- 2 cups beef or venison broth
- 1 cup red wine (optional, adds depth)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 2 bay leaves
- 1–2 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
Instructions
1. Prep & Brown Venison
- Season venison cubes with salt and pepper.
- Dredge lightly in flour, shaking off excess.
- Heat oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Brown venison on all sides (do not overcrowd), then remove and set aside.
2. Sauté Vegetables
- In the same pot, sauté onions, garlic, carrots, celery, and mushrooms for 3–5 minutes until slightly softened.
3. Build Stew
- Stir in tomato paste, cooking 1–2 minutes.
- Deglaze the pot with red wine (if using) or a splash of broth, scraping up browned bits.
- Return venison to the pot.
- Add broth, thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a simmer.
4. Simmer
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 1½–2 hours, stirring occasionally, until venison is tender.
5. Add Potatoes & Final Cooking
- Add potatoes and cook another 30–40 min until tender.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Remove bay leaves before serving.
6. Serve
- Serve hot with crusty bread or over egg noodles.
Pro Tips
- Tender meat: Slow-cooking low and slow is key because venison is very lean.
- Thickening: If you want a thicker stew, mix 1–2 tbsp cornstarch or flour with cold water and stir in at the end.
- Flavor boost: Add a splash of balsamic vinegar or a touch of dark chocolate for depth.
- Vegetable variations: Parsnips, turnips, or butternut squash also work beautifully.
I can also give a slow-cooker venison stew version or a venison stew with beer and root vegetables if you want an extra rich twist.
Do you want me to do that?