Hello! Cooking venison stew is a wonderful way to prepare wild game, and taking a low-and-slow approach will ensure your meat turns out melt-in-your-mouth tender rather than tough or dry.
For two pounds of one-inch cubed venison, the total cooking time on the stovetop will be between 2 and 2.5 hours from start to finish.
Here is a step-by-step guide and timeline for your dinner:
Step 1: Browning and Starting (10 to 15 minutes)
Start by heating a small amount of oil in your pot over medium-high heat. Brown the meat cubes for about 5 to 7 minutes to build flavor, then add your chopped onions to soften for 3 to 4 minutes. Pour in your water or broth until the meat is just submerged.
Step 2: The Initial Simmer (90 minutes)
Bring the liquid up to a gentle boil, then immediately turn your burner down to low or medium-low heat. You are aiming for a gentle simmer, which is roughly 180 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit, where only small bubbles slowly surface. Cover the pot tightly with the lid and let the venison simmer for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Venison is very lean, so this slow, covered simmer is essential for softening the meat fibers.
Step 3: Adding the Fresh Vegetables (30 to 45 minutes remaining)
After the meat has simmered for 90 minutes, uncover the pot and add your cut garden carrots and potatoes. Stir them into the liquid, cover the pot with the lid again, and maintain that same low simmer for an additional 30 to 45 minutes. Adding the vegetables at this stage ensures they become perfectly fork-tender without disintegrating or getting overly mushy.
Step 4: Checking for Doneness
At the 2-hour to 2.5-hour total mark, test a piece of meat with a fork. It should yield easily and feel tender. If it still feels slightly firm, keep the lid on and simmer for another 15 to 20 minutes.
Keeping the lid closed and maintaining a low simmer rather than a rapid boil is the key to success. I hope you and your family enjoy your fresh garden stew!