Venison and Wild Mushroom Stew
A hearty, earthy stew featuring ground venison and a medley of mushrooms, simmered with aromatic herbs for a deeply satisfying meal. This american-inspired soups ready in about 60 minutes pairs ground venison, sliced cremini mushrooms, medium, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, 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 lb ground venison
- 2 cups, sliced cremini mushrooms
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 3 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup red wine
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb ground venison and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, for 5 minutes until browned.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, then add 3 cups beef broth, 2 cups sliced cremini mushrooms, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 5: Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes until flavors meld.
- Step 6: Stir in 1/2 cup red wine and simmer for 10 more minutes until the stew is rich and thickened.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Venison and Wild Mushroom Stew take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (20 min prep + 40 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 Venison and Wild Mushroom 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 ground venison from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Venison and Wild Mushroom 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 Venison and Wild Mushroom Stew for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Venison and Wild Mushroom 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.
