Hearty Hunter's Stew Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Hearty Hunter’s Stew

Total Time
Prep: 25 min. Cook: 2 hours 50 min.
Moist, tender meat and thick, rich gravy are the hallmarks of my classic recipe simmered in a cast-iron pot. —Joyce Worsech, Catawba, Wisconsin

Updated: Jun. 30, 2023

Hearty Hunter’s Stew

Prep Time 25 min
Cook Time 50 min
Yield 8 servings.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds boneless venison or beef chuck roast, cut in 1-inch cubes
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • 4-1/4 cups water, divided
  • 1/2 cup tomato juice
  • 2 medium onions, cut in wedges
  • 2 celery ribs, sliced
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 to 3 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 6 medium carrots, quartered
  • 1 large rutabaga, peeled and cubed
  • 6 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Directions

  1. In a Dutch oven, brown meat in oil over medium heat. Add 4 cups water and scrape to loosen any browned drippings from pan. Add the tomato juice, onions, celery, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  2. Discard bay leaves; add the carrots, rutabaga and potatoes. Cover and cook for 40-60 minutes.
  3. Stir in the peas; cook for 10 minutes. Combine cornstarch and remaining water until smooth; stir into stew. Bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 351 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 96mg cholesterol, 778mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 7g fiber), 31g protein.

Moist, tender meat and thick, rich gravy are the hallmarks of my classic recipe simmered in a cast-iron pot. —Joyce Worsech, Catawba, Wisconsin