Last Updated on October 12, 2021 by Anne-Marie

This slow cooker venison stew recipe is seasoned with French onion soup mix. Add potatoes and vegetables to this crockpot venison stew.

Why this recipe works

This slow cooker venison stew recipe is the best way to cook up venison stew meat or venison roasts.

Set up crockpot venison stew in the morning when you leave for work. (Or prepare it the night before). That way you have a hot venison dinner ready when you come home.

You'll love how deliciously tender the meat cooks up in your crockpot!

How to make slow cooker venison stew

Making this slow cooker venison stew recipe is easy with a little planning. Make sure to defrost your game meat in the refrigerator the day before.

1. Season the stew meat or venison roast on all sides with salt and pepper.

2. Heat a large frying pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil.

3. Brown the roast on all sides, about 10-15 minutes. If using stew meat, you can brown the venison in batches.

4. Place browned venison in the crockpot.

5. Place potatoes and layer vegetables on top of the meat. Sprinkle French onion soup mix over the vegetables.

6. Pour broth over vegetables.

7. Cover and cook for 8 hours on low or 4 on high.

8. Remove deer roast from crockpot and cut it into 1-inch cubes. Add meat back to the crockpot.

(If you're using stew meat, no need to remove it from the slow cooker.)

9. Make a slurry by placing cornstarch in a small bowl. Mix with 1/2 cup of broth from the crock. Stir until well mixed.

10. Add slurry to the crockpot. Stir until stew thickens.

11. If desired, add additional frozen vegetables. Cook until heated through.

12. Turn off the slow cooker before serving.

13. Serve stew with prepared horseradish.

What type of deer meat should you use?

Most people use deer stew meat in crockpot venison stew.

That's because stew meat is the least tender cut. So it works wells in stews and crockpot dishes.

Otherwise, your processor turns it into ground venison. (Perfect to use in a venison chili recipe.)

You can also use deer roasts, either one large roast or several smaller roasts.

Leave the roasts whole and cook until tender. Then cut the meat into 1-inch cubes.

The only cut of meat you should not use in this crockpot venison stew is venison tenderloin. That's the best cut, so save it for grilling with the family!

Got more venison stew meat? Then try this delicious Slow Cooker Juniper Venison Stew.

Is deer meat gamey?

Some people don't like the taste of wild game. They think it's too gamey.

An animal that's stressed out during deer hunting season (because of age, weather, chased too long during the hunt, etc.) makes the meat gamey.

Or maybe the deer meat wasn't skinned and chilled quickly. (Why people hang meat is beyond me.)

If animals are allowed to eat corn, their meat is milder than those that eat acorns or sage.

I also find that trimming the meat of any fat helps. In addition, seasoning the meat with garlic cloves, tomato paste or tomato sauce, kosher salt, or black pepper. This plus slow cooking helps get rid of that gamey taste.

Add vegetables to this crockpot venison stew

With slow cooker venison stew, you can get creative with your vegetables and use any amount you like.

I always use lots of potatoes. If you don't want to peel potatoes, use red or gold potatoes.

You can add as many chopped vegetables as you have room for in your crockpot, like:

● Carrots

● Onions (red or yellow)

● Mushrooms (white or cremini)

● Turnips

● Sweet potatoes

● Celery

Wash, peel, and chop all raw vegetables into bite-sized pieces for this crockpot venison stew recipe.

I like to cook potatoes and sweet potatoes in big chunks, so they don't get mushy in the venison stew.

Cube or cut onions, celery stalks, carrots, and hardier vegetables into smaller pieces.

Crockpot venison stew time savers

Frozen vegetables: Using frozen veggies in this slow cooker venison stew is super convenient, since they're already washed, chopped, and prepared.

Just wait for 10-15 so that the vegetables are completely heated through before serving.

Try frozen broccoli, cauliflower, and green beans in this venison stew recipe.

Liners: Don't forget to use slow cooker liners for easy cleanup. I love not having to soak my crock-pot overnight and scrub it in the morning.

Which onion soup mix?

To easily season this crockpot venison recipe, use a couple of packets of French onion soup mix.

If you're gluten free, there are a few gluten free French onion soup mixes available online that you can try.

Or you can make a homemade onion soup mix. I like Wellness Mama's French Onion Soup Mix recipe since it's gluten free, sugar-free, dairy free, and easy to make.

If you're using homemade onion soup mix, use or 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons.

Keeping crockpot venison stew gluten free

Unlike a low of other recipes, I don't have you rolling the venison in flour. Not even in gluten-free flour!

Instead, thicken this stew with a cornstarch slurry. You can use rice starch if you have to avoid corn products. (See below for directions.)

If you want a thicker deer stew, you can add some tomato paste and a little more slurry.

Onion soup mix: use a gluten free mix.

Vegetable broth: make sure the broth you use is certified as gluten free. You can also use a gluten free beef broth.

Horseradish: check the label for hidden sources of gluten.

How to serve slow cooker venison stew

Serve the stew with some crusty bread and prepared horseradish.

Put a dollop of creamy horseradish on your plate and dip your meat in it.

Remember that it's strong stuff and will go straight to your sinuses if you use too much.

Can I use beef in this recipe?

Yes, you can swap out the beef for venison in this recipe if game meat is not your thing.

More easy slow cooker and crock-pot recipes

Do you love making slow cooker recipes? Here are more to try:

● Amazingly Easy Instant Pot French Dip

● Super Cheesy Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes

● Crock Pot Mississippi Pot Roast

● Crock-Pot Baked Ziti

● Crock-Pot Baked Beans

Updated on February 20, 2021 with new photos and information.