Crockpot Venison Stew

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Need an easy weeknight supper? Then look no further than this 7-ingredient crockpot venison stew from pantry staples. Comforting, filling, and over-the-top delicious and great for a winter meal.

Suitable for Gluten-Free diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points and freezer instructions.

close up of a silver spoon removing a portion of slow cooker venison stew from a white bowl

This Crockpot Venison Stew Recipe is everything all of us need. Filling, warming, comforting, super easy and tasty. One of the best meals for winter.

So, this easy Venison Stew is hearty and loaded with all the good stuff – even though there are only 7 ingredients—most of which you already have in your pantry.

Moreover, let’s discuss the health benefits of venison. It’s an incredibly lean meat containing minimal fat, and it’s typically sourced from wild deer. The natural lifestyle contributes to its quality as a healthy and wholesome protein option.

So, let me emphasize this: drop everything and make this slow-cooker venison stew. It is so, so, so worth it.

top down view of the completed slow cooker venison stew

What is Venison?

You may know, or you may not – no judgment here, peeps, that venison is deer meat, but I find there is a bit of confusion about what venison is precisely.

Venison is ANY part of the deer that can be consumed. Even deer liver would be considered venison. But for this venison chili recipe, you’ll use venison mince, also known as ground venison.

I love cooking with venison because it’s leaner than beef and has more vitamins and minerals. I’m ticking off all the ‘healthy eating’ boxes right here.

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Are you new to crockpot cooking? Then view these Tips, Tricks and Hacks of Crockpot Wisdom. I will share innovative methods and ingenious hacks to ensure you get the most out of your Slow Cooker today.

Once you’re done enjoying this recipe, here’s another stew favorite: Moroccan Lamb Stew

Why Make This Bowl Of Venison Stew Crock Pot

  • Perfect for Outdoor Gatherings – Hosting a fall gathering or planning a cozy camping trip? Then, this Venison Stew is the ultimate dish to warm up your guests. Its rich flavors and simple preparation make it a fantastic choice to impress your fellow campers or satisfy hungry hikers.
  • A Time-Saving Weeknight Dinner – Embrace the ease of this 7-ingredient Venison Stew, the ultimate weeknight comfort meal. Our hearty stew recipe offers a convenient solution for those busy evenings when you’re craving a satisfying dinner time without spending hours in the kitchen. Plus, it’s an excellent option for meal prepping and enjoying throughout the week.
  • Embrace the Flavors of the Season – Dive into the Fall spirit with this soul-warming Venison Stew. This recipe captures the essence of the season.
  • Nourishing, Yet Kid-Approved – If you’re struggling to get your kids to eat their veggies, this Venison Stew is your secret weapon. Packed with wholesome ingredients and a blend of rich flavors, it’s an excellent way to sneak in those essential nutrients while keeping everyone at the table happy. Watch as even the pickiest eaters come back for seconds!

Now, let’s simplify your meal prep routine. Look at this fantastic selection of effortless Dump and Start Crockpot Recipes, offering hassle-free dinner options to make your cooking experience a breeze.

Ingredient Notes

  • Venison – Choose lean cuts for a healthier option, ensuring a rich and robust flavor in every bite. So, I’ve used venison shoulder and made it with a shank cubed into 2-inch pieces.
  • Onions – Opt for sweet onions for a milder taste, or use red onions to add a hint of color and a slightly sharper flavor profile.
  • Chopped tomatoes with herbs – Use canned tomatoes with Italian herbs for added depth of flavor, or opt for fresh tomatoes with a blend of your favorite herbs for a more vibrant taste.
  • Carrots – Select fresh, firm carrots for the best texture, or substitute with frozen carrots if fresh ones are not readily available. You can also add other fresh vegetables.
  • Chorizo – Choose spicy or mild chorizo according to your preference, adding a burst of smoky and savory notes to the stew.
  • Garlic – Fresh garlic cloves provide a robust and aromatic flavor, but you can use garlic powder as a convenient alternative for a milder taste.
  • Hot beef stock – Opt for homemade beef stock for a rich, hearty base, or use store-bought stock for a quick and convenient option.
  • Bay leaves (optional) – Bay leaves are often added during cooking to infuse a warm, slightly floral note into this flavorful stew.
the ingredients needed for making slow cooker venison stew

Ready to learn how to make this Venison Stew? Grab that venison meat and the other ingredients, and I will show you…

Handy Tip: Use Good Kitchen Tools!

For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.

How To Make Slow Cooker Venison

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

  1. First, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and brown the venison in batches for 3-4 mins until done. After that, add the nicely browned venison to the bowl of the slow cooker. You can, however, skip this step and add the venison straight into the slow cooker)
  2. Then, add the onion to the pan and sauté for about 5 mins till softened. Then, transfer the cooked onion to a slow cooker. (You can skip this step and put the onion into the slow cooker).
  3. After that, add the tomatoes, carrots, chorizo, garlic, and hot beef stock into the slow-cooking bowl, mix well, cover, and cook on high heat for 3-4 hours (or low heat for 7-8 hrs).
  4. Lastly, season the crockpot venison stew well before serving. It will be fork tender.

Want to make it on the stovetop? Then, head on over to this easy Venison Stew.

image collage showing the steps for making slow cooker venison stew

Expert Tips

  • You can swap the venison for some stewing beef instead.
  • For a slightly thicker deer stew, mash some carrots.
  • Marinate the venison in a blend of your favorite herbs and spices for a bolder flavor before cooking.
  • Experiment with different types of chorizo, such as smoked or spicy, to add a unique twist to the stew.
  • Add a splash of red wine to the stew for an extra layer of depth and complexity in the flavor profile.
  • Garnish the stew with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme just before serving to enhance the visual appeal and add freshness to each dish.
  • Cooking times may vary depending on your slow cooker’s size, make, and model. Therefore, make sure to consult your manual as necessary. 
two bowls filled with slow cooker venison stew

Delicious Variations

  • Optional extras you can add to the stew include bay leaves, chili, and spices like juniper and caraway seeds. My motto is ‘to just add things that you like.’
  • Feel free to swap out carrots for potatoes or some pumpkin or squash to get a more fall vibe.
  • Make it a soup – You can add a bit more vegetable stock if you want to make it more soupy.

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Prep And Storage

Our deer stew crock pot recipe is sooooo easy to freeze and reheat, which makes it a perfect meal prep recipe. So, follow these steps:

  • Make ahead – You can make the stew a day or two in advance and store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container. The flavors tend to meld and deepen over time, resulting in an even more delicious meal upon reheating.
  • Reheat – Take frozen stew out of your freezer and let it thaw in the refrigerator the night before. Then, warm it in the microwave to the desired temperature. You can reheat the stew in a saucepan on the stovetop. However, you may need to thicken or thin the stew by adding a cup of water.
  • Store – Let the remaining venison cool down completely before transferring it into an air-tight container and storing it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • Freeze – If freezing, store in freezer-safe containers. Then, label them and freeze them for up to 3 months.
  • Meal prep – You can easily prepare a large batch in advance and portion it into meal-sized containers for quick and convenient meals throughout the week.
top down view of the finished venison stew inside the slow cooker

FAQs

Do You Need To Brown The Venison?

No, you do not need to brown the venison but, I really must tell you that the browned meat really adds a richer depth of flavor to this venison stew. Therefore, if you have time, you should try and do it.

How do you get the wild gamey taste out of venison?

You can get the wild gamey taste out of venison by soaking the venison meat in a liquid like buttermilk, milk, saltwater, etc first, then rinse well before cooking.

So, this trick will remove the wild flavor.

What cut of venison is best for stews?

The cut of venison that is best for stews is from the shoulder or the hindquarter, such as the neck, shanks, or shoulder roasts.

These cuts are well-suited for slow cooking methods as they contain a good amount of connective tissue, which breaks down during the long cooking process, resulting in tender and flavorful meat.

Additionally, the shoulder and hindquarter cuts are ideal for creating hearty and robust stews, ensuring that the meat remains juicy and succulent even after prolonged cooking times.

the finished slow cooker venison stew served in white bowls

Similar Recipes

Are you looking for more EASY, delicious, and flavorful recipes? I’ve got you covered. Check out my entire collection of Crockpot recipes, or start a few of my most popular slow cooker stew and Instant Pot stew recipes:

Serve Elk Stew Crock Pot Recipe With:

  • Crusty Garlic Bread – Enjoy the stew with slices of warm, crusty bread, perfect for soaking up the flavorful juices and adding a delightful garlicky touch to each bite.
  • Creamy Mashed Potatoes – Serve the venison stew alongside a generous dollop of creamy mashed potatoes for a hearty meal.
  • Scalloped potatoes – Make tender, thinly sliced potatoes enveloped in a rich, creamy sauce. This will create a comforting and indulgent side dish that perfectly complements the robust flavors of the stew.
two bowls of slow cooker venison stew with spoons and a blue cloth napkin
  • Use an awesome slow cooker to make this tomato sauce.
  • Then, a skillet for browning the meat.
  • Plus, Meal prep glass jars for storing this delicious stew.
  • For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.

More Slow Cooker Recipes

If you love this bowl of venison stew, try these slow cooker recipes too!

Weight Watchers Points

There are 5 Freestyle Points in one serving of this.

close up view of the completed slow cooker venison stew inside the crockpot

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close up of a silver spoon removing a portion of slow cooker venison stew from a white bowl
Print Recipe
5 from 11 votes

Crockpot Venison Stew

Crockpot Venison Stew is a hearty, flavorful dish made with tender venison
Prep Time2 minutes
Cook Time4 hours
Total Time4 hours 2 minutes
Course: Main
Cuisine: American, Western
Servings: 5
Calories: 252kcal
Author: Bintu Hardy

Ingredients

  • 1 pound (450g) venison cut into 1cm cubes
  • 2 onions peeled and finely diced
  • 14 ounces (400g) tin of chopped tomatoes with herbs
  • 1 pound (450g) carrots, cut into small cubes
  • 4 ounces (120g) chorizo, sliced
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • cups (300ml) hot beef stock
  • Optional bay leaves chilli, olive oil

Instructions

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pan over medium heat and brown the venison in batches for 3-4 mins until done. Add the browned venison into the bowl of the slow cooker. (You can skip this step and add the venison straight into the slow cooker).
  • Add the onion to the pan and sautée for about 5 mins till softened. Then transfer the cooked onion to the slow cooker. (You can skip this step and just put the onion into the slow cooker).
  • Add the tomatoes, carrots, chorizo, garlic and hot beef stock into the slow cooking bowl, mix well, cover and cook on high heat for 3-4 hours (or low heat for 7-8 hrs if your slow cooker permits).
  • Season well before serving.
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Notes

  • You can swap the venison for some stewing beef instead.
  • For a slightly thicker deer stew, mash some carrots.
  • Marinate the venison in a blend of your favorite herbs and spices for a bolder flavor before cooking.
  • Experiment with different types of chorizo, such as smoked or spicy, to add a unique twist to the stew.
  • Add a splash of red wine to the stew for an extra layer of depth and complexity in the flavor profile.
  • Garnish the stew with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme just before serving to enhance the visual appeal and add freshness to each dish.
  • Cooking times may vary depending on your slow cooker’s size, make, and model. Therefore, make sure to consult your manual as necessary. 
  • Storage – Let the remaining venison cool down completely before transferring it into an air-tight container and storing it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • There are 5 Freestyle Points in one serving of this recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 252kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 91mg | Sodium: 343mg | Potassium: 908mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 15330IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 76mg | Iron: 5mg

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Recipe Rating




25 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I came to this site with the introduction of a friend around me and I was very impressed when I found your writing. I’ll come back often after bookmarking! bitcoincasino

  2. 5 stars
    I absolutely loved this recipe! So simple and turned out great. Thank you!

    I will try other slow cooker dishes from you, for sure!

    Cheers for this , Bintu!

  3. I’ve cooked this today for our New Year’s Day feast but I was 10 grams low on the venison. I’ve added cannellini beans and frozen spinach to bulk it out (I know, it makes it 9 a ingredient stew) and will serve with mustard mash. Really looking forward to eating this 🙂

  4. 5 stars
    Made this tonight and so so good! Served it with mashed potatoes and the chorizo makes it for me, love that little bit of spice in there. The hubby was pleased I didn’t waste the deer he had got while hunting, thanks for the recipe!

    1. Made this a couple times with venison neck!! If you don’t have chirozo, fresh chilli(with or without seeds) and smoked paprika, adds that flavour. I like to cook the venison neck in slow cooker for 8hrs, with all the ingredients. Then add potatoes, kumera, (root veg) and simmer till perfect, then finally fresh greens! Mmmmm yummy