Slow Cooker Venison Stew

As the autumn chill descends, our cravings turn towards comforting, soul-warming dishes. Embrace the season's essense with a Slow Cooker Venison Stew, enhanced by The Bearded Butchers Bold Blend- a bold and intense seasoning that unlocks the venison's full-bodied flavor, creating an unforgettable culinary experience.

Ingredients:

• 3 pounds venison stew meat
• 2 tablespoons Bearded Butcher Bold Blend Seasoning
• 3 pounds red potatoes, peeled and cubed into 1-inch pieces
• 2 cups celery, chopped
• 2 cups sweet onion, coarsely chopped
• 2 cups carrots, peeled & chopped
• 2 (16 oz) cans tomatoes
• 4 tablespoons tapioca starch (thickener)
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/2 tablespoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 3-4 cups hot water
• Fresh parsley or thyme, or herbs of your choice

Instructions:

1. Pat the venison cubes dry with paper towels to remove the excess moisture. This will ensure better browning and prevent the meat from steaming in the slow cooker.
2. Season the venison generously with the Bearded Butcher Blend Bold Seasoning.
3. Place the seasoned venison cubes in the bottom of a large slow cooker.
4. Add the chopped celery, onion, and carrots on top of the venison meat.
5. Add the diced tomatoes, brown sugar, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker.
6. Distribute the cubed potatoes evenly over the mixture.
7. Pour in enough hot water to cover the ingredients by about an inch.
8. Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set it to low heat.
9. Cook the stew for approximately 8-10 hours, or until the venison is fork-tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
10. Stir the stew after an hour of cooking to evenly distribute the flavors. Stir occasionally throughout the cooking progress.
11. In a small bowl, whisk together the tapioca starch and 3-4 tablespoons of cold water to form a slurry. This will prevent the starch from clumping when added to the hot stew.
12. Gradually stir the slurry into the stew, allowing it to thicken to your desired consistency.
13. Garnish the stew with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme for a touch of brightness and visual appeal.
14. Serve the slow cooker venison stew warm!

Additional Tips:

• For an even richer flavor, you can sear the seasoned venison cubes in a skillet over medium-high heat until browned on all sides.
• Adjust the amount of tapioca starch to achieve your desired stew consistency.
• If you prefer a thicker stew, cook if for a shorter period, around 8 hours. For a more tender venison texture, extend the cooking time to 10 hours.

Give this Slow Cooker Venison Stew recipe a try and let us know how you liked it by snapping a picture and tagging us on Instagram and Facebook!