Description

A rich and hearty slow cooker venison stew that transforms deer meat into a tender, flavorful comfort food perfect for cold days and meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale

2 pounds venison stew meat, well-trimmed and cubed
3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
2 large potatoes (Yukon Gold or red), peeled and cubed
1 large onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups beef broth (low sodium)
1 cup red wine (dry, e.g., Cabernet Sauvignon) – optional
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped (or 2/3 teaspoon dried thyme)
2 bay leaves
Salt and black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil

Instructions

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the cubed venison in batches for 2-3 minutes per side until a crust forms. Set meat aside.
In the same skillet, add chopped onion, celery, and garlic. Cook for 3-5 minutes until softened and fragrant, scraping up browned bits.
Add browned venison, carrots, potatoes, sautéed aromatics, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker.
Pour in beef broth and red wine (if using). Stir gently to combine, ensuring liquid almost covers ingredients.
Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until venison is tender and flavors meld.
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Remove bay leaves before serving.
If stew is too thin, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water, stir into stew, and cook on high for 15-20 minutes to thicken.

Notes

Browning the venison before slow cooking adds significant flavor. Use fresh herbs if possible for best aroma. Adjust seasoning at the end to avoid over-salting. Leftovers taste better the next day. For a thicker stew, use cornstarch slurry. Can substitute red wine with beef broth and balsamic vinegar if avoiding alcohol.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1.5 cups
Calories: 320
Fat: 8
Carbohydrates: 20
Fiber: 4
Protein: 35

Keywords: venison stew, slow cooker venison, deer meat recipe, game meat stew, comfort food, slow cooker stew, hearty stew, easy venison recipe