My husband likes to fill our freezer with game meat each winter so he’s a busy man during hunting season. He recently came home with two deer and we decided to process them ourselves to be budget-friendly. We ground up most of it but there were some solid slabs of meat that were just too good to grind up, so we decided to do a type of stew with it.
We had this recipe for chicken, green beans, and potatoes all in one pan but we’ve always wanted to switch it to a slow cooker meal since the potatoes usually aren’t done when the chicken is ready. So we adapted it and just kind of put it together. I thought I would share it with you in case anyone wants to do something similar, or adapt it to something else.
We added the venison to the slow cooker, then added chopped up red potatoes and green beans. I sprinkled a packet of Italian dressing mix on top, then we poured some olive oil and the remainder of some chicken broth we had from another meal. Then we just let our big 7-quart slow cooker do the magic it does for about 8 hours. We checked it periodically but after 8 hours the potatoes were done. The venison meat was soft and juicy, like a beef stew, but leaner.
Ingredients for DIY Hunter’s Stew aka Venison Stew:
- Large (7-quart) slow cooker
- 2 pounds Venison (or you can use beef or chicken)
- 5 red potatoes, chopped into bits
- 1 bag of green beans
- 1 packet of Italian dressing mix
- 1 cup of broth (chicken or beef, whatever you have on hand)
- 1/4 cup Olive Oil
Note: these measurements are approximate since we didn’t really measure or weigh everything when we threw this together.
Directions for DIY Hunter’s Stew aka Venison Stew:
Add everything to the slow cooker (meat on the bottom) and slow cook for at least 8 hours. (Check when potatoes are ready, then the whole thing is ready). Enjoy.
Why did I call this “DIY” Hunters Stew? Well, because the entire meal, from hunting the deer to processing it, to cooking it, was done by hubby or both of us.
Tell me about a meal you “DIY”-ed!
>> Looking for a great slow cooker? Check this one out:
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Deborah Chapman says
I have a question, did you have your venison in cubes or strips for this recipe? Most due 1 in cubes some do strips or would you leave them steak size. Wanting to try this.
Julie says
It’s been a really long time but I think we cut it into bite sized pieces.
Kaitlyn says
Do you put the venison in the crockpot frozen or thawed out?
Kaitlyn says
I want to try this! Do you put the venison in the crockpot frozen or thawed out?
Julie says
Hi Kaitlyn! I cook thawed meat usually. I haven’t slow cooked from frozen but many people say they do and it just extends the cooking time.
Kalia says
We had our venison cut into steaks, nothing big enough to cube. Is there anyway I could just cut up the steaks for this recipe?
Julie says
Of course. The size of the meat will determine cooking time, so smaller pieces cook faster, but you can use full-size steaks too.
Ranae says
Says slow cook for at least 8 hrs but my Crock-Pot only works on high now ? can I do on high for shorter time?
Julie says
Of course! I usually halve the cooking time if on high and check if it’s ready. The potatoes are going to be the slowest to cook.
heather says
I know this an older post but wanted to say thank you for this recipe! I have a freezer full of venison that I have been afraid to do anything with because I have never cooked with it before. This recipe was WONDERFUL!!!
Julie says
Thanks Heather! We typically either ground up the venison or do a stew because it’s the easier way to eat it.
Angel says
Do you cube the venison?
Julie says
I had it cut in strips yea.
Angel says
Thank you. Giving it a try tomorrow.
Hil says
I love crockpot dinners!
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Samantha says
This looks tasty! Next time we get more venison we’ll definitely be trying this!
Lara says
Yum! I <3 venison and this recipe sounds delicious! I am hoping that we can get a chest freezer so that we can take advantage of deer season next year (we're missing out this year 🙁 )
Julie says
Yes, having a deep freezer like that is super helpful. Regular refrigerators just don’t have enough space in their freezer.
Ashley says
This looks amazing! My hubby is also a hunter and we have lots of meat that I am always looking for ideas to do with. Thanks for sharing
Talya says
OMG I think I have just died and gone to heaven. Salivating as I write! Thanks so much for linking to #coolmumclub lovely x