This flavorful, hearty Venison Stew slow cooker recipe has a rich red wine based broth and so easy to make. It cooks on low heat all day for tender stew meat and potatoes meal.

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Crockpot Venison Stew is slow-cooked to perfection in a dark rich broth full of deer meat, potatoes, and tenderizing red wine or brown ale! Come home to a hot and hearty meal straight from your slow cooker! Pair your venison stew with a few slices of bread. Just right for sopping up all of the tasty rich broth at the bottom of your bowl!

A gray bowl with pieces stew meat and veggies in a flavorful wine based broth.

There is nothing that will draw your family to the kitchen like the wonderful aromas of venison stew hitting their nose as soon as they walk in the house! This Crockpot Venison Stew will do exactly that. So flavorful and delicious, there won't be a drop left in their bowls.

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Why I love this recipe
FAQ's
Ingredients
Variations
Top tips
Instructions
Serving Suggestions
Related Recipes
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Why I love this recipe

I always start thinking about Crockpot Venison Stew when the fall gets here. Pretty soon, another deer hunting season will be right around the corner. We will be back in the woods, looking to bring home some more wild game for our freezer.

When we return from the night watch in the woods, we are usually chilly and hungry. Coming home to a house filled with the aroma of a hot venison dinner ready to go on the table is so comforting. This Crockpot Venison Stew warms us up quite well after spending time in the woods!

Slow cooked venison stew in an orange crock with slices of homemade bread in the background.

FAQ's

What is venison stew meat?

Stew meat is basically the least tender cut of the deer. Grumpy says it is the bits and pieces of tougher meat that also can be made into ground venison. It is the tougher meat from the animal which is why slow cooking is the best way to prepare it.

Can I use another cut of deer meat for stew?

Does all venison have a wild gamey taste?

Wild game has a rich and earthy flavor. However, gaminess is caused by several factors. Undesirable flavor can be the result of taking an older buck, one that was in the rut (therefore his testosterone is high), or poor processing can all be factors of a gamey flavor.

How long can I store venison in the freezer?

It depends on how the meat is packaged. I recommend vacuum sealing. Good wrapping will assist in longer storage. We have had venison in the freezer for as long as 2 years and have never had freezer burnt meat.

Ingredients

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Below are just some of the basics you need to make this recipe. You will need several seasonings from the pantry which are listed in the recipe card itself.

Venison Stew Meat

Potatoes: I love to use gold potatoes. I feel like they have the creamiest texture and buttery flavor. They go excellent in this stew.

Cremini Mushrooms are my favorite. If you don't like mushrooms, just leave them out. You can also use white button mushrooms or baby portabellas.

Tomato Paste: this is an important ingredient. It will help thicken up the stew as well as add flavor.

Red Wine or Beer: A dark or light beer will work, whichever you enjoy the most. I prefer a dry red wine.

Beef Broth: Essential in this recipe. It adds flavor.

Crockpot: I use this one. I love that it has a warm setting on it so if it finishes before we get home, it keeps it warm still.

Crockpot Venison Stew in a orange serving crock sitting on a black plate with two slices of homemade bread.

Variations

Use bacon grease to sear the stew meat for added flavor
Make the stew in a dutch oven on the stove top or in the oven. Just assemble all the ingredients into the dutch oven after the meat has been seared and simmer for 1 hour on low until vegetables are cooked and meat is tender.
Substitute beef stew meat for the venison.

Top tips

Follow the recommended cooking method for this recipe. Cooking it longer is ok but do not cook it for less time.
If you cook this recipe on high, I recommend 4 hours. However, I highly recommend that you cook this recipe on low.
Be sure to dice your carrots and potatoes into smaller pieces. A good recommendation is 1" cubes. Anything larger can cause your vegetables to not cook.
Follow the instructions for layering the ingredients into your pot. Potatoes and carrots will take longer to cook than any of your other ingredients and need to be on the bottom layer closer to the heat.

Instructions

Prepare the stew meat by tossing it with flour, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl.

Deer meat cubes coated in flour in a mixing bowl. — Stew meat is coated in flour before searing in a hot skillet.

Heat a large non-stick skillet until it is hot. Add 1 tablespoon of oil and sear meat until browned on all sides. This should only take 2-3 minutes.

Venison meat being browned in skillet with flour coating. — The stew meat is seared until browned on all sides, but not cooked all the way through.

While deer meat is searing, prepare your vegetables for the stew. Chop and measure your vegetables for the venison stew and set aside.

Chopped potatoes, onions, and carrots, ready to go into the slow cooker — Root veggies and onions add to the heartiness and flavor of this venison stew recipe.

In your crockpot, layer your vegetables and seasoning in your slow cooker ceramic pot. Start with the potatoes and end with the seasonings (the first 13 ingredients listed in the recipe).

Layered potatoes, carrots, and spices in slow cooker. — Once the veggies are in the crockpot, the tomato paste and other herbs are placed on top.

Place the browned stew meat on top of layered vegetables and pour broth over top. Place the lid on your crockpot and set you're it to cook on low temperature for about 7-½ hours. Cooking on high heat is not recommended for this recipe.

Stew Meat on top of vegetable layer in crockpot — Place a layer of seared stew meat on top of the veggies in the slow cooker.

When your venison stew is done, remove the bay leaf, serve and enjoy!

Meat, Potatoes, and Vegetables that have just finished cooking in the slow cooker. — The end result is a tender meaty stew in a rich and flavorful broth!

Serving Suggestions

Whenever we eat a stew, we like to have some sort of starch to soak up the gravy at the bottom of our bowl. I usually will make a recipe for Homemade Soft White Bread or Homemade Sweet Dinner Rolls to serve with this stew!

If you love Venison Recipes, be sure to check out my new website. Some of our favorite recipes there is Venison Stir-Fry, Venison Sloppy Joes, and BBQ Cheddar Meatloaves!

The convenience of the slow cooker makes dinner time smooth going. Coming home to a hot meal with no mess is pretty darn satisfying! Below are some of our favorite slow cooker recipes:

Crockpot Venison Stew in overhead shot showing meat, potatoes, and carrots in the serving dish with homemade bread to the left.

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When you make this recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!

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