Venison French Onion Stew
This hearty venison french onion stew topped with melted cheese is rich, flavorful, and easy to make in a CanCooker at camp or a slow cooker at home.
If you’re looking for a wild game recipe that delivers comfort, flavor, and versatility, this Venison & Onion Stew with Melted Cheese is a must-try. Juicy chunks of venison are browned and slow-cooked with caramelized onions, garlic, and a savory broth, then finished with a rich layer of melted Gruyère or Italian blend cheese. The result is a cozy, hearty dish with layers of smoky, savory flavor that pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, rice, or a crusty piece of bread.
One of the best things about this recipe is that you can make it two ways—perfect for wherever you’re cooking. At hunting camp or on a camping trip, a CanCooker steams the venison to tender perfection in under an hour. At home, a slow cooker brings out deep, slow-simmered flavors while giving you a hands-off cooking method that’s ready when you are. Both options are easy, flavorful, and guaranteed to satisfy a hungry crowd.
This stew is also versatile enough to work for just about any occasion. Serve it family-style for a hearty dinner at home, or make it the centerpiece of a camp meal after a long day outdoors. The combination of tender venison, sweet onions, and gooey melted cheese makes it a dish that even non-hunters will rave about. Plus, with simple prep and a handful of ingredients, it’s a recipe you’ll want to make again and again.
Whether you use a CanCooker at camp or a slow cooker in your kitchen, this venison onion stew recipe is a delicious way to enjoy wild game. It’s rustic, flavorful, and comforting—everything a venison dish should be.
FAQ:
- Can I swap deer meat for other game or commercial meats? Yes! Elk, Moost, Mule Deer, etc. will all work. You can even use beef chuck.
- Do I have to use Reduced Sodium Beef Broth? Yes! I would highly recommend it so you can insure the end result isn’t an overbearing salty flavor. Trust me on this one.
CanCooker Venison French Onion Stew
Deliciously tender venison in an amazing French onion gravy. You can make this in a CanCooker/InstantPot or right in your slow cooker.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Category: Venison
- Method: CanCooker
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoon Butter, Divided
- 1.5 Venison Stew Chunks (Cut into 1.5 inch Pieces)
- Salt and Pepper, To Taste
- 1 tablespoon Minced Garlic
- 2 large Yellow Onions, Sliced
- 1 cup Reduced Sodium Beef Broth
- 1 tablespoon Better Than Bullion Beef paste
- 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 bay Leaf
- 1.5– 2 cups Gruyère Cheese or Italian Blend Cheese
Instructions
Slow Cooker Method:
- Heat 2 Tbsp butter in a skillet and sear venison chunks on all sides (work in batches). Transfer to slow cooker.
- In the same skillet, add remaining 2 Tbsp butter and sliced onions. Cook until softened, then stir in garlic for 1–2 minutes. Transfer to slow cooker.
- Add beef broth, bouillon, apple cider vinegar, and bay leaf to the slow cooker. Stir well.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until venison is fork tender.
- Remove bay leaf, sprinkle cheese on top, and cover for 10–15 minutes until melted.
- Serve hot over mashed potatoes, rice, or with crusty bread.
Can Cooker Method:
- Cut venison into 1.5 inch chunks then pat dry using paper towels. Season all over with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
- Heat any CanCooker over medium low heat. Add in two tablespoons of butter and allow to melt.
- Add in venison and brown on both sides. Work in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. Remove from the CanCooker.
- Add remaining two tablespoons of butter and sliced onions. Cook until the onions are translucent.
- Mix in garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Add beef broth, bullion, apple cider vinegar, and the bay leaf and mix well. Once mixed, add back in venison chunks and latch the lid. Steam on medium low heat for 30-35 minutes.
- Remove bay leaf then add in cheese to the top and continue steaming with the lid latched for 10 minutes.
- Serve over mashed potatoes or by itself.
