Venison mushroom stew

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Stew or casserole?

I can't decide if I should call this dish a stew or a casserole because it can be either depending on how you decide to cook it.

The main difference between a stew or a casserole depends on how it's being cooked. The short and basic description is: If you cook the dish on the stove top it's called a stew and if you cook it in the oven it's a casserole. The end result tends to be that the casserole that's been cooking in a hot oven, has a thicker more reduced sauce and the flavors are more concentrated then the slightly more wet stew that has been simmering on the stove top or in the crock pot.

In this article, I refer to this dish as a stew sometimes and other times as a casserole because I can't pick a favorite between them, and I like that it can be both.

This easy venison stew is warming and comforting. A magical combination of tender, soft meat, with the smokey bacon and earthy mushrooms that hits the mark every time.

oyster mushrooms on a white bench — oyster mushrooms

I use oyster mushrooms in this wild venison stew. They really compliment the deer meat well and I always have them growing at home. However you can substitute the oyster mushrooms for any other mushrooms. Chanterelle, morel and porcini mushrooms works amazing in this recipe as well.

Venison loin and fillet on a white plate with rosemary sprigs — Venison meat

Venison is my personal favorite of all the wild meat. It’s so versatile and tasty. It’s the wild meat I cook with the most.

Read more ideas on how to cook venison here and hunting food here

Check out my other delicious recipes using venison meat:

Black bean venison chili

Venison Schnitzel

Kåldolmar – Swedish stuffed cabbage rolls

Ingredients

This is a great family dinner recipe highlighting slow cooked venison and mushrooms.

deer meet (diced)
onion (diced)
clove garlic (chopped)
bay leaves
bacon rashes (sliced)
mushrooms (sliced)
wine (red)
stock (beef)
tomato paste
crushed tomatoes
carrots (diced)
rosemary
thyme

I love pairing venison with mushrooms and bacon. 3 of my favorite ingredients together that compliments each other perfectly. This rich hearty venison stew is flavorsome and comforting, full of nutrients, easy to make and taste delicious!

Equipment needed

Dutch oven (oven proof dish with lid) or - Crock pot (Slow cooker)

Frying pan - Ideally a cast iron skillet pan

Chopping board

knife

How to make Venison and mushroom stew

This recipe can be made in the oven, on the stove top or in a slow cooker/ crock pot.

Put the oven on 100 degrees C
Fry onions in the dutch oven until soft and fragrant, add garlic. Cook for another minute.
Fry bacon crispy in the skillet pan and add to the dutch oven or crock pot - slow cooker then
cook the mushrooms in the same pan until golden brown and add to the dutch oven or crock pot - slow cooker.

Frying mushrooms until golden in a skillet pan. A red dutch oven in the background — Frying oyster mushrooms

Dust the venison pieces in flour. Fry golden brown then transfer it the dutch oven or crock pot - slow cooker together with the carrots, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, herbs and bay leaves.
De glaze the skillet with the wine. Reduce by half then pour it over the ingredients in the dutch oven or crock pot - slow cooker.
Add stock, enough to cover everything.

All the ingredients for venison stew ready to go in the oven — Venison stew ready for the oven

Put the lid on and place in the middle of the oven for about 3-4 hours or until meat is tender. If using the slow cooker: Put the lid on and set it to your liking and let it cook for several hours until meat is tender (Cooking time varies)
Serve with Rice or potatoes
Enjoy!

This venison stew recipe is easy to make and the deer meat is fall-apart tender. It’s packed with flavor and simple ingredients.

Venison stew in dutch oven

A Dutch oven is a heavy duty cooking pot with a lid. It's an ideal pot for making stews and casseroles like this dutch oven venison stew recipe. Because they are designed for slow, low heat and long cooking.

A dutch oven heats up evenly and quickly and will retain the heat effectively. This cast iron pot will maintain a consistent, even temperature that really helps flavors to concentrate and develop.

The dutch oven helps keep your meal hot for a long time once it's out of the oven.

venison stew in a red dutch oven with a ladle in it — Venison, mushroom stew in dutch oven

Venison stew in crock pot

A slow cooker venison stew requires only minimal hands-on prep work, then set it and forget it!

Cooking a stew in the crock pot is excellent for when you want to just add a load of ingredients in the pot, turn it on, leave the house and come home to a delicious dinner that's ready to go.

Slow cooker venison stew with red wine cooked to perfection with garlic, smoky bacon, fresh herbs, tender mushrooms and carrots. This easy venison stew recipe makes a delicious, protein-packed dinner the whole family will love!

Serving suggestion

Potatoes - Any potatoes works for this dish but my preference is a creamy mash potatoes or just boiled potatoes topped with butter.

Rice - White, long grain

Crusty bread

Creamy polenta

Venison stew and white steamed rice served on a white plate — Venison stew and rice

Recipe alterations

Any other red meat works well as a substitute to venison in this recipe
Add any other vegetables you like to this stew
The Oyster mushrooms can be replaced with any other mushrooms
If mushrooms or bacon are not your thing then simply remove them
Left overs can be made into pie filling

Why you'll love this recipe

This venison casserole recipe makes amazing left overs. The flavors enhances overnight and can be even better when reheated the following day.
This deer stew also freezes well! Make sure it's completely cooled before freezing.
Warming and comforting meal
With meltingly tender venison, and the deep flavor of the sauce you’ll love this venison and mushroom recipe

The magical combination of flavors in this dish will elevate your ordinary stew and take it to the next level. This is a rich hearty meal and is sure to impress your family or guests.

Close up of a cooked venison stew in a dutch oven and a ladle — Venison, mushroom stew

Try this impressive venison mushroom stew at home. It’s rich and heartwarming, easy to make and taste delicious. You won’t regret it!