North Country Venison Stew with Root Vegetables
Hearty venison stew slow-cooked with earthy root vegetables and aromatic herbs, inspired by the rustic flavors of northern New York. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 140 minutes pairs venison stew meat, cubed, medium carrots, peeled and sliced, medium parsnips, peeled and cubed for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs venison stew meat, cubed
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 medium parsnips, peeled and cubed
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 2 stalks celery stalks, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary sprigs
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme sprigs
- 1 bay leaf
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1.5 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 1.5 lbs cubed venison with 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp kosher salt, and 1 tsp black pepper to coat evenly.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Brown the venison in batches, about 4 minutes per batch until deeply browned on all sides, then remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Add 1 large diced yellow onion, 2 chopped celery stalks, and 3 minced garlic cloves to the pot; sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen flavor.
- Step 5: Deglaze the pot with 1 cup dry red wine, scraping up browned bits; simmer for 3 minutes until slightly reduced.
- Step 6: Return the browned venison to the pot along with 4 cups beef broth, 3 sliced carrots, 2 cubed parsnips, 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, 3 sprigs fresh thyme, and 1 bay leaf.
- Step 7: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer gently for 2 hours until the venison is tender and vegetables are cooked through.
- Step 8: Adjust seasoning with 1/2 tsp kosher salt and black pepper to taste. Remove herb sprigs before serving the rich, rustic stew.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does North Country Venison Stew with Root Vegetables take to make?
Total time is about 140 minutes (20 min prep + 120 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 North Country Venison Stew with Root Vegetables?
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 venison stew meat, cubed from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in North Country Venison Stew with Root Vegetables?
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 North Country Venison Stew with Root Vegetables 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 North Country Venison Stew with Root Vegetables?
American slow cooker 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.
