Venison

Hearty Venison Stew with Red Wine

Prep Time
25 minutes
Cook Time
2 hours 30 minutes
Servings
8

Ingredients

  • 3 lbs venison stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 strips bacon, chopped
  • 2 onions, diced
  • 4 carrots, cut into chunks
  • 4 celery stalks, sliced
  • 1 lb potatoes, cubed
  • 8 oz mushrooms, halved
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups red wine
  • 3 cups beef stock
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. 1

    Season venison with salt and pepper, toss with flour to coat.

  2. 2

    Cook bacon in large Dutch oven until crispy. Remove and set aside.

  3. 3

    Brown venison in batches in bacon fat, about 3 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.

  4. 4

    Add olive oil if needed. Sauté onions, carrots, and celery until softened, about 8 minutes.

  5. 5

    Add garlic and tomato paste, cook 2 minutes. Add wine and scrape up browned bits.

  6. 6

    Return venison and bacon to pot. Add stock, bay leaves, and rosemary. Bring to simmer.

  7. 7

    Cover and cook on low heat for 1 1/2 hours. Add potatoes and mushrooms, cook 45 minutes more.

  8. 8

    Remove bay leaves. Season with salt and pepper. Serve in bowls with crusty bread.

About Venison

Venison is lean, high in protein, and rich in iron. It has a slightly gamey flavor that pairs well with bold seasonings and fruit-based sauces.