Minnesota Wild Rice and Venison Stew

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty stew featuring Minnesota's iconic wild rice and tender venison, slow-cooked with root vegetables and herbs for a rustic, comforting meal. This american-inspired soups ready in about 80 minutes pairs wild rice, venison stew meat, carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 60 min Serves 6 American cuisine 280 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add diced onion, celery, and carrots, and sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
  2. Step 2: Add minced garlic, thyme, and rosemary, and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in venison stew meat, breaking it into small pieces, and cook for 5 minutes until browned.
  4. Step 4: Pour in vegetable broth, add wild rice, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes until rice is tender and meat is fully cooked.
  5. Step 5: Adjust seasoning and serve with crusty bread.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Minnesota Wild Rice and Venison Stew take to make?

Total time is about 80 minutes (20 min prep + 60 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Minnesota Wild Rice and Venison Stew?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep wild rice from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Minnesota Wild Rice and Venison Stew?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Minnesota Wild Rice and Venison Stew for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Minnesota Wild Rice and Venison Stew?

American soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes