Crockpot Venison Stroganoff: A Hearty Twist on a Classic Favorite
This Crockpot Venison Stroganoff is a hearty twist on a classic favorite. It’s a comforting and flavorful dish that brings a unique, savory twist to the traditional beef stroganoff. With tender venison sautéed in a creamy sauce and served over egg noodles, this dish is perfect for chilly evenings or whenever you’re craving a filling, comforting meal. Of course, you can make it with the traditional beef in the recipe. Remember that beef is more fatty than venison.
While beef stroganoff isn’t exactly a low-calorie dish, it’s packed with protein, which helps to make it filling and satisfying. The venison used in this recipe helps to cut down on the fats, yet it is still high in protein. The sour cream adds a rich creaminess, while the mushrooms provide fiber and essential vitamins. It’s a balanced meal that’s perfect for when you’re craving comfort food.
Origin of Beef Stroganoff
Beef Stroganoff has been a loved classic for generations. Originating in Russia, beef stroganoff has since become a household favorite across the world. Its appeal lies in its simplicity and its ability to deliver a comforting, hearty meal with just a few ingredients.
Preparing Venison
Many people are intimidated by cooking venison, but if you can cook beef, you can cook venison. One thing to remember when cooking venison is that this protein is very lean. Sometimes, you may need to add fat to the dish; I recommend using olive oil.
Kluski Egg Noodles
I was recently in NW Pennsylvania at a local grocery store when I found the wonderful Kluski Egg Noodles by Bell View. Cooking these noodles is a bit different from what I was used to, but they turned out fantastic and tasted great.
Instead of boiling the noodles, you bring the water to a boil after adding the noodles to the water, you turn the heat to simmer, and let the noodles cook on a simmer. Some readers may be familiar with the technique, but I was not. These noodles turn out perfect! If you can find these noodles, I highly recommend them.
Why You’ll Love This Twist To Stroganoff
This stroganoff recipe has everything to satisfy a craving for comfort food: a creamy sauce, tender venison, and earthy mushrooms. The rich, savory sauce complements the venison perfectly, and the mushrooms add a touch of earthiness that brings everything together. This recipe is perfect for a family dinner or a special holiday meal. I’m sure your family will love it.
Recipe
Crockpot Venison Stroganoff
Equipment
- Crock Pot
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 large onion chopped
- 1 Tablespoon garlic minced
- 2 pounds stew venison cubed
- 2 cans 10.75 cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 2 cups fresh mushrooms
- 4 oz cream cheese cubed ( 1/2 of an 8 oz pack)
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 6 cups egg noodles
- 2 Tablespoons parsley
Instructions
- Add cubed venison, onions, garlic, and broth to a crockpot. Cover the meat with water so it doesn't scorch. Set the temperature to low for 8 hours. Let it cook slowly until the meat can be shredded with a fork.
- Once I got home, the version was so tender it could be torn apart with a fork.
- I prepared the Dutch Kluski egg noodles. These noodles are fantastic and are not prepared like other egg noodles.
To prepare these noodles, measure out the dry noodles (6 cups). Using 7 pints of water or broth, bring the liquid to a boil. Then add the egg noodles, reduce the temperature to a simmer, and let the noodles gently simmer for 12-20 minutes. These noodles take longer to cook than most and are better when they are gently simmered. - While noodles are cooking, drain the meat but leave 1/2 cup of broth or water. Stir in butter, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, creamed cheese, and mushrooms to the meat and let it warm to melt cheese in the crock pot for about 15 -20 minutes, stirring to mix ingredients.
- Once noodles have cooked, drain the liquid from the noodles and add the noodles to the crockpot mixture.
- Serve and top with parsley.
Notes
Tips and Variations
- Meat (Protein) Substitute: If you want a leaner option, you can substitute ground turkey or chicken breast for the beef. Venison, however, is a lean protein. Just make sure to adjust the cooking times accordingly.
- Rice – Rice is a good substitute for the egg noodles.
- Kluski Egg Noodles – If you can’t find the noodles recommended in this post, any Egg Noodles will work.
- Mushroom Variations: For a more complex flavor, feel free to mix different types of mushrooms, such as portobello, shiitake, or oyster mushrooms.
- Make It Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce for a bit of heat.
- Gluten-Free: For a gluten-free version, use one tablespoon of cornstarch or Xanthan gum instead of flour to thicken the sauce and pair it with gluten-free noodles or rice.
Storage and Reheating Options
Refrigeration:
- How to Reheat: Reheat in a skillet over low to medium heat, adding a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce if it thickens too much. Alternatively, microwave in a covered container, stirring occasionally.
- How to Store: Let the stroganoff cool to room temperature before storing it in an airtight container.
- Storage Duration: Venison Stroganoff can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezer:
- How to Store: For longer storage, you can freeze beef stroganoff. Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe, airtight container or freezer bag. Make sure to label the container with the date.
- Storage Duration: Beef stroganoff can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- How to Reheat: To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then warm gently on the stove over low heat, adding a bit of broth or water as needed to restore the creamy texture. You can also reheat it from frozen by placing it in a microwave-safe container and microwaving it in 2-3 minute intervals, stirring it in between.
Serving Tips:
- Noodles: If you’ve already mixed the beef stroganoff with the noodles, be sure to store them in the same airtight container for quick access when reheating. Just note that the noodles may absorb some of the sauce during storage, so adding a little extra cream or broth while reheating may help.
- Leftover Storage: If you have leftovers that you plan to use soon, store them separately from the noodles or rice to maintain the texture of each component.
Looking for a comforting dish that’s as easy to make as it is delicious? This venison stroganoff is the perfect choice! Tender venison, savory mushrooms, and a creamy sauce make it a meal everyone will love. Serve it over egg noodles for the ultimate comfort food experience.
Comment below or send me a message to let me know if you’d like a printable version of this recipe or additional tips for preparing it.
