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
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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
