This post for Crockpot Venison Stew first appeared on Grumpy's Honeybunch where I am an author.
Crockpot Venison Stew is slow-cooked to perfection in a dark rich broth full of deer meat, potatoes, and tenderizing brown ale! Come home to a hot and hearty meal straight from your slow cooker! Pair your venison stew with a few slices of homemade bread. Just right for sopping up all of the tasty rich broth at the bottom of your bowl!

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.
Why I make Crockpot Venison Stew
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.
A few things have changed since the beginning of this website. I actually go hunting for wild game with Grumpy now! So, when we return from the night watch in the woods, we are usually chilly and hungry. Therefore, there is nothing more satisfying than to come home to a home filled with the aroma of a hot venison dinner ready to go on the table. This Crockpot Venison Stew warms us up quite well after spending time in the woods!
What you need to know about deer meat
What is venison stew meat?
Stew meat is the least tender cut of the deer. 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?
Yes, you can use other cuts of meat. The cut of meat you are cooking will pretty much dictate how you will cook it. A more tender cut of meat does not need to be cooked long and I don't recommend slow cooking the meal if you are not using stew meat. Tender cuts of meat can become tough if they are overcooked.
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.
Troubleshooting your slow cooker venison stew recipe
- 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.
A visual guide to making your best stew!
Prepare your stew meat by tossing it with flour, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl.
Sear the stew meat in 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.
While deer meat is cooking, chop and measure your vegetables for the stew.
In your slow cooker, 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).
Place the browned stew meat on top of layered vegetables and pour broth over top. Place the lid on your crockpot and set it to cook on low temperature for 7-½ hours. Cooking on high heat is not recommended for this recipe.
When your stew is done, remove the bay leaf, serve and enjoy!
Need some bread to go with your Venison Stew?
If you're like me, you want some delicious homemade bread to sop up all those delicious broth juices from your Venison Stew. My very favorite recipe is for Homemade Soft White Bread. Or, if you are in a hurry, these Quick Dinner Rolls will do the job!
📖 Recipe
Slow Cooker Venison Stew
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Ingredients
- 2 cups Yukon gold or red potato peeled and cubed
- 2 cups cremini mushrooms quartered
- ½ cup onion diced
- 1 cup celery sliced
- 1 cup carrot sliced
- ⅓ cup tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1-½ teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- ¾ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 large garlic cloves minced
- 1 bay leaf
- ¼ cup flour
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 1 lb venison tenderloin or stew meat cut into 1-½ inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 cup brown ale
- 1 14- oz can less-sodium beef broth
Instructions
- Layer first 14 ingredients in an electric crockpot.
- Combine flour, ⅛ teaspoon salt, and ⅛ teaspoon pepper in a shallow dish; dredge venison in flour mixture. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; add venison. Cook 4 minutes or until browned on all sides, turning frequently. Add venison to crockpot.
- Pour beer and broth over venison. Cover and cook on low 7 ½ hours or until meat is tender. Discard bay leaf.
- Stew can be frozen in an airtight container for up to three months; add a little more water or beer when reheating.
Tiifany
My son got his first deer over the weekend, and I cant believe all the meat we got from that one deer! Anyway, this will be my first time trying a stew..I got the recipe and will start putting it together in the morning and by the time it's done it will be dinner time. I will be back to post pics and let everyone know how it turned out and how everyone else liked it..if its liked st all. *(fingers crossed)*
Shelby Law Ruttan
That's awesome your son got his first deer! I hope you do enjoy this! It's great with the beer, but I really love it with red wine in place of the beer also!
Jackie
Can i used something besides the brown ale
Shelby Law Ruttan
Hi Jackie, yes, you can use a dry red wine, or go with a beef broth. Enjoy! Shelby
Dee Kelly
Until I tried your recipe, I was totally disappointed with every other method I tried to prepare venison. I did not have the dark ale so I used Marsala wine and we were very pleased with the finished product.
Shelby Law Ruttan
Hi Dee, thank you for trying the recipe. I'm happy you enjoyed it! Shelby
Dakota
I forgot to get tomato paste, can I do corn starch?
Shelby Law Ruttan
Hi Dakota, sorry for the delayed response. I don't recommend using cornstarch to substitute for tomato paste. You can just substitute tomato sauce for the tomato paste, or in a pinch, use marinara sauce. Shelby
Kelucha
Can I discard the brown Ale?
Shelby Law Ruttan
No the ale is part of the stew broth. If you mean can you substitute, yes, substitute beef broth.