As deer season wraps up and freezers begin to fill with venison, every hunter starts wondering what delicious meals they can make with their prized game meat. While steaks and roasts certainly have their place, when the weather turns cold, few things provide more comfort than a hearty, savoury venison stew or pot of chili.
These tasty one-pot meals are the perfect way to transform your deer meat into finger-licking goodness that will feed the whole family. The slow cooking allows the venison to become fall-apart tender while infusing each bite with layers of flavor. And cleanup is a breeze with just one pot to wash!
From classic venison chili to stew recipes loaded with vegetables, below you’ll find 5 of my favorite meaty, crowd-pleasing dishes for cooking with your deer meat this season.
Why Use Venison for Stew and Chili?
There are a few major benefits to using venison to prepare hearty staples like stew and chili:
- Lean and Nutritious – Deer meat is very low in fat yet high in iron and protein, making it a great base for meals compared to fattier beef cuts.
- Big Bold Flavors – The rich, meaty flavor of venison stands up incredibly well to lots of spices, seasonings, vegetables, and peppers.
- Budget-Friendly – As hunters, we work hard for our venison so why not transform it into delicious budget-stretching meals? At a fraction of the price of beef, that’s excellent value.
- Tenderizes Well – The slow, gentle heat of simmering or braising venison cuts like shoulder and hindquarter turns them meltingly tender and brings out their best flavor.
Let’s get cooking! Here are my top venison stew and chili picks to warm you up this season.
1. Venison Chili
Chili makes venison shine thanks to all the strong spices like chili powder, cumin, and hot peppers infusing it with flavor. Take your pick of toppings from shredded cheese and sour cream to crispy tortilla chips.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs venison, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 red/green bell pepper, chopped
- 3 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 14oz can diced tomatoes
- 1 15oz can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 3 cups beef broth
Instructions:
- Brown venison over high heat in batches if needed along with garlic, onions, and bell peppers.
- Add spices and stir constantly for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add canned tomatoes, beans, and beef broth. Simmer for 1-2 hours until venison is very tender.
- Season to taste with salt and additional spices if desired.
- Serve topped with favorite chili toppings.
2. Guinness Venison Stew
This venison stew gets incredible depth of flavor from the addition of dark, malty Guinness beer. As it simmers away, the house will fill with mouthwatering aromas.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs venison stew meat, cubed
- 3 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 cups beef broth
- 12 oz Guinness Draught beer
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 tbsp flour
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Fry bacon in large pot until crispy. Remove and set aside.
- Brown venison chunks in batches in the bacon fat if needed.
- Add onions, carrots, celery, garlic and cook for 5 minutes until softened.
- Whisk in flour and cook 2 minutes.
- Pour in Guinness, broth, tomato paste, and spices. Bring to a boil.
- Simmer gently for 2-3 hours until venison is fall-apart tender, adding water if too thick.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Serve stew topped with crispy bacon pieces.
3. Venison Vegetable Stew
Chock-full of healthy vegetables like potatoes, peas, and green beans, this satisfying venison stew makes for a hearty, hunt camp-style meal. The simple preparation lets the wonderful flavors shine.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs venison stew meat
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 medium potatoes, cubed
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup frozen cut green beans
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1⁄4 cup flour
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Heat oil in large pot and brown venison pieces in batches if needed. Remove and set aside.
- Add onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. Sauté 5 minutes.
- Mix in flour and stir well.
- Gradually pour in broth and stir until thickened. Add herbs.
- Return venison and add remaining vegetables. Season with salt and pepper.
- Cover and simmer gently for 1 1⁄2 hours until vegetables and meat are tender.
- Adjust seasonings and serve stew hot.
4. Southwest Venison and Bean Chili
With corn, beans, tomatoes, and just the right amount of spicy kick, this zesty chili is a fun twist on traditional venison chilis. Top with sliced avocado, scallions, shredded cheese or sour cream.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs ground venison
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 14 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 14 oz can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 28 oz can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup frozen corn kernels
- 1 cup beef broth
- Scallions, shredded cheese, avocado etc. for serving
Instructions:
- In a large pot over medium-high heat, brown ground venison along with onion, garlic, and jalapeño for about 5 minutes. Drain fat if needed.
- Add spices and stir for 1 minute until very fragrant.
- Mix in canned tomatoes and broth. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15 minutes.
- Stir in beans and corn. Cook for 30 minutes until heated through and thickened slightly.
- Season to taste with salt and additional spices if desired.
- Serve topped with scallions, avocado, shredded cheese etc.
5. Crockpot Venison Bourguignon
For incredible fall-apart tender venison, let your slow cooker work its magic with this rustic French venison stew. The red wine sauce is out of this world over buttery mashed potatoes.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs venison stew meat
- 6 ounces bacon, chopped
- 1 lb button mushrooms
- 2 onions, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup red wine like Pinot Noir
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp thyme
- 3 tbsp flour
- Salt and pepper
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions:
- Brown venison chunks in batches in a skillet along with bacon, onion, and mushrooms until well-browned.
- Place meat and vegetables into slow cooker and mix in minced garlic.
- In skillet, whisk in flour and cook for 2 minutes to remove raw taste.
- Pour in wine, broth, tomato paste, and herbs while whisking constantly until thickened into a sauce.
- Pour sauce into slow cooker and stir well to coat.
- Cook on low setting for 8 hours.
- Season stew to taste with salt and pepper before serving.
- Garnish bowls with fresh chopped parsley.
Now that your freezer is likely full of venison from a successful hunting season, put it to delicious use in these hearty, comforting venison stew and chili recipes that your family will request time and time again. Just add a side of buttery cornbread, rice or potatoes to soak up the incredible sauces.