Spiced Northern-Style Venison Stew with Root Vegetables

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-27 · Updated 2026-06-27

A hearty venison stew simmered slowly with warming northern spices and an earthy mix of root vegetables, perfect for cozy dinners. This european-inspired beef ready in about 150 minutes pairs large, diced yellow onion, minced garlic cloves, beef broth 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

• 2 lbs, cut into 1.5-inch cubes venison stew meat
• 3 medium, peeled and chopped into 1-inch pieces carrots
• 2 medium, peeled and chopped into 1-inch pieces parsnips
• 1 large, diced yellow onion
• 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 cup red wine
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp allspice
• 1 tsp, crushed juniper berries
• 2 leaves bay leaves
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp, freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 3 minutes.
2. Step 2: Add 2 lbs cubed venison and brown in batches for 4-5 minutes per batch until deeply caramelized on all sides; transfer browned meat to a plate.
3. Step 3: Add 1 large diced yellow onion to the same pot and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
4. Step 4: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp allspice, and 1 tsp crushed juniper berries; cook for 2 minutes until aromatic.
5. Step 5: Pour in 1 cup red wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom; simmer for 3 minutes until wine reduces slightly.
6. Step 6: Return the venison to the pot and add 4 cups beef broth, 3 chopped carrots, 2 chopped parsnips, 2 bay leaves, 1 1/2 tsp sea salt, and 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper.
7. Step 7: Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and cover; simmer for 2 hours until meat is tender and vegetables are soft.
8. Step 8: Remove bay leaves and adjust seasoning if needed before serving the stew hot.