Picture this. A cold February day. Wind, sleet and rain all day and dark before five (not that I’ve wanted to go outside anyway in that weather). Now we want something warming, nutritious and comforting to eat. Not too much trouble to make either, but something that will really fill you up. This is when I turn to my slow cooker venison and bean stew. Apart from browning the meat and softening the onions, all I have to do is put it in the slow cooker and leave it. And a few hours later – lovely.
Why make this Crockpot Venison Stew
I make this slow cooker bean and venison stew (or is it casserole? I never quite know the difference) lots through the winter. It is a perfect recipe for using venison shoulder or shank – those pieces that most people think are only good for mincing, but once they are in this stew, they become delicious in their own right.
I pretty much agree with the whole “don’t waste” philosophy, and finding a way of making the most under-valued cuts of meat shine is a bit of a personal mission of mine.
Cooking venison shanks
One important thing to say – to get the most out of this, cook it slowly for a long time. It lets all the connective tissues in the shank break down and get absorbed into the stew, thickening the sauce and stopping any toughness. So, so good.
Deer meat benefits
Oh, and can I talk about healthier. Venison is almost completely fat-free and cannot be intensively farmed. In fact, most is wild, so will have lived a completely natural life until just before you get it from the butcher. Lots of boxes ticked right there.
Here is my suggestion, drop everything and make this slow cooker venison and bean stew. It is so, so, so worth it.
Easy venison slow cooker recipes
If you are looking for more easy venison slow cooker recipes then why not check out this 7 ingredient slow cooker venison stew. It is really easy and really filling too.
(And if slow cooking isn’t your thing, try my post with over 75 easy Instant Pot recipes.)
Here is how to make this slow cooker venison soup. Please do try it and if you do make it, then please do tag #recipesfromapantry on Instagram or twitter so that I can pop over and have a look. It is really, really awesome for me when you make any one of my recipes. You can also share it on my Facebook page.
Thank you for reading my crockpot venison and bean stew recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue dreaming up recipes, traditional African recipes, African fusion recipes, Sierra Leone recipes, travel plans and much more for you.
- 2 onions peeled and roughly chopped
- 3 cloves garlic peeled and roughly chopped
- 500 g (1.1lb) venison shoulder or shank cubed into 2cm pieces
- Corn flour to coat the venison
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 2 x 400g (14oz) tins of black-eyed beans rinsed and drained
- 200 g (7oz) mushrooms sliced
- 2 X 400g (14oz) tins chopped tomatoes
- 250 ml (1 cup) hot beef stock
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 sprigs of tyyme or other herbs like rosemary
- Add the onions and garlic into a blender and blend into a paste.
- Meanwhile coat the venison pieces in the corn flour and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat 1 tbsp. of olive oil in a frying pan over high heat and brown the meat in batches.
- Add the meat, and everything else into the slow cooker and cook on high for about 4 hours.
- Test after 4 hrs and if it need a bit more time then cook for a further hr.
- Adjust seasoning and at this point you can either serve it straight away or leave for a day to mature.
I think it’s definitely a stew. And the pics look so good I can almost taste it!! I love how you used corn flour to coat the venison. That adds a rustic touch that I bet really lends the stew a yummy, full-bodied texture.
This looks amazing!! I can just taste the flavors as I read this! YUM!
Love anything that can go in the crock pot. It looks so hearty and delicious!
This looks absolutely fabulous! Can you believe I have never tried venison!
This has stew written all over it. I would like to try this recipe with lamb shoulder, since my family doesn’t especially care for venison (even though I love your rationale for using it!). I have been living this cold, February day over and over…and over. I think this stew might just make everything better.
I would definitely classify this a stew — and a scrumptious looking one at that! Save a bowl for me.
This is definitely a stew — and a delicious looking one at that. Please save me a bowl.
So warming and comforting! What a great combination. Chilis are my favorite winter food.
I would call this a stew. It looks delicious!! YUM!
This is a perfect comfort food! Hearty & delicious!
Love venison when slow cooked, putting this at the top of my to do list!
Jane x
Stew or casserole – this is one heck of a flavor packed dish!
Stew or casserole – this is one heck of a flavor packed dish!!
Nothing like a great slow cooker stew for the dead of winter!
I am such a big fan of venison and I LOVE the sound of this stew! Pinning to try later!
That looks like such a comforting Stew. My husband loves venison, so I will have to make this for him.
We call stew! Looks like a perfect winter meal.
In my neck of the woods, this would definitely be a stew leaning more towards chili. You know, I’m ready for the weather to start warming up a little just because I can’t stand the cold. But I really do sort of appreciate the days like you’ve described because it’s just so darn cozy to snug up in the house while it’s rubbish outside and enjoy the aroma of the slow cooker all day long!
Gosh, that looks good! I’m a big fan of venison and this stew sounds like just the comforting kind of meal I’d enjoy. 🙂
This looks such a hearty dish. I love my slow cooker, it makes meat so tender and delicious, Great recipe!
I haven’t had venison in ages, it’s so hard to get your hands on around here unless you know a hunter. I think I need to make some new friends so that I can make a bowl of this comforting stew. It looks incredible (I’ve never tried venison with beans before)!
This looks so good! I have not eaten enough stew this winter…
This stew looks incredible! I love the addition of venison, such a wonderful meat!
This looks delicious. I’ve just made my first ever venison dish – it’s currently in the oven. I think I might have to try yours next.