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Venison Stroganoff is a simple and comforting dinner recipe that has all the qualities of classic Stroganoff with the added flavor of fresh ground venison. A creamy sauce comes together in no time and is the perfect pairing with egg noodles!
Stroganoff may be one of my favorite weeknight meals. Or weekend meals. Any time meal, really. It’s filling and simple, flavorful and satisfying. It’s another great venison recipe using ground deer meat and is a staple in our household.
Ingredients for this recipe
Beef Stroganoff is such a Midwestern meal. It’s made of carbs and dairy and meat. All the major food groups are represented. The only way to take it up a notch and make it even more Midwestern? Even more Wisconsin? By using ground venison!
Cooking with Venison
As always, whenever you’re cooking venison it’s important to be sure it is cooked through. Whether it's venison burgers, tacos, or grilled backstrap, proper cooking times and temps are important!
Making Ground Venison Stroganoff
This is just a brief overview, find detailed instructions in the recipe card below!
- Sauté the mushrooms. In just a bit of oil. Did you know that using less fat is better when sautéing mushrooms? When they begin to cook, they release their natural moisture. This aids in browning! A sprinkle of salt moves the process along too.
- Brown the venison. After sautéing the onion and garlic. Cook the ground meat all the way through after seasoning.
- Sprinkle with cornstarch. This will help thicken our sauce!
- Deglaze the pan. First with beer. Then add the beef stock. So much flavor!
- Add in the dairy. Heavy cream provides silkiness, sour cream offers a tangy flavor.
- Serve over egg noodles. The perfect vehicle for any stroganoff recipe.
Recipe tips and substitutions
- Mushrooms - I like to use sliced baby portabella mushrooms, though button would work too.
- Beer - The flavor that a roasty, toasty brown ale offers this stroganoff recipe is divine. But if you don’t enjoy cooking with beer or can’t find a quality craft brew, simply use an equal amount of beef stock.
- Salt - I call for Kosher salt in this recipe as I prefer it for cooking over table salt. If you don't have Kosher salt you can use table salt, but only half of the amount. So this recipe calls for one tablespoon of Kosher salt, meaning to start with 1 ½ teaspoons of regular table salt. Remember to always taste and adjust your seasoning while cooking!
- Dairy - I like the mixture of using heavy cream and sour cream in this recipe. Though, again, substitutions can be made. Using all heavy cream will result in the thinner sauce. Using all sour cream will result in a thicker sauce that is very tangy. I have made it both ways and enjoy both! Use what you have on hand!
- Noodles - Egg noodles are the traditional noodle used when serving stroganoff. They’re mild flavored, tender, and their shape provides the perfect surface for sauce. This would be just as delicious served over rice or a bed of mashed potatoes.
To serve and store leftovers
- Keep the noodles and meat separate until serving, as the noodles can become soggy and break down if mixed together.
- Store leftovers separately in the fridge.
- When reheating, add another splash of heavy cream or milk to the sauce to bring it back to life when reheating.
Watch the recipe video!
Venison Stroganoff
Venison Stroganoff combines the unique flavor of fresh venison with a well-balanced, malt-forward brown ale to create a simple (and delicious!) pasta dinner that comes together in absolutely no time at all!
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 275kcal
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon olive oil divided
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt divided
- 8 oz. Portabella Mushrooms sliced
- 1 medium White Onion diced
- 2 tsp. Minced Garlic
- 2 pounds Ground Venison
- ¾ tsp. garlic powder
- ¾ tsp. onion powder
- ½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoon corn starch
- 8 oz. Brown Ale (or similar style beer)
- 12 oz. Beef Stock
- 1 cup Sour Cream
- 8 oz. Heavy Cream
- Fresh Parsley, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large skillet. Add mushrooms, season with 1 tsp. kosher salt. Cook until mushrooms have released their juices and are brown, about 6-8 minutes.
- Remove mushrooms from pan and add another 2 tablespoon oil to pan. Stir in onion and cook until onions begin to become translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute more. Add the vension, seasoning generously with remaining kosher salt, ¾ tsp. onion and garlic powder, and ½ tsp. black pepper. Cook until venison is browned through, about 10 minutes.
- Sprinkle the cornstarch over the browned meat, stirring to coat and break up any large chunks, ensuring the meat is evenly coated. Deglaze the pan with the brown ale, scraping any browned bits off the bottom. Taste and add more salt, if necessary.
- Add the beef stock. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce to simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid has reduced by half, about 5 minutes more.
- Stir in cooked mushrooms, sour cream, and heavy cream. Cook until bubbly and thick. Serve over warm egg noodles and top with freshly chopped parsley, if desired.
Video
Notes
- Feel free to use 16 ounces of just sour cream, omitting the heavy cream, for a thicker, tangier stroganoff.
- Alternatively, 16 ounces of heavy cream can also be used, omitting the sour cream, for a thinner, lighter sauce.
- Store leftovers separately in refrigerator (noodles and sauce separately) for up to five days.
- Ground beef can be substituted in this recipe, if desired. Just be sure to drain the fat after browning.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 275kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 99mg | Sodium: 193mg | Potassium: 489mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 593IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 2mg
Lisa says
This is the best recipe for venison stroganoff! The only thing is to have the sauce thicker, but the taste is fabulous! It was a hit with the whole family.
Amanda Gajdosik says
Hi Lisa,
What a high compliment - thank you! Sometimes I like a thicker sauce, too (or forget it on the stove lol).
Thanks so much for rating and reviewing,
Amanda
Stephanie says
This has become a one of our favorites! So good and so easy. Thank you!
Amanda Gajdosik says
LOVE to hear that, Stephanie! We love how quick and easy it is, too 🙂 Thanks for rating and reviewing!
Lainey says
My husband gave me a fist pump for this recipe. Delish!
Amanda Gajdosik says
Well that's the best compliment ever! So glad you enjoyed it, Lainey! Thanks for rating and reviewing 🙂
Gregg says
I can't stop eating it!!!!
Lori says
I made this recipe and we loved it. I used only sour cream and no beer. It was very tangy and flavorful. I had enough for a second meal that I froze. Thank you.
Lyndze says
This was even better the 2nd day. So yumm! Thank you for the great recipe.
Angel says
I made this tonight and idk what I did wrong, but it was so liquidy no matter how much cornstarch I put. Flavor wise it was good. I have a lot of food left, but then again I only have three in my family. Next time I think I'll half the recipe and lessen the liquid. Thanks!
Amanda Gajdosik says
Hi Angel, I'm sorry to hear the sauce didn't work out well for you. Hmm...so odd! But sure glad your family enjoyed it 🙂
Laura says
Can this be made in the crockpot by chance?
Amanda Gajdosik says
Hi Laura, this recipe isn't developed for the crockpot and I've never tried to make it in one. Thanks!
Olivia says
Do you have a non alcoholic paleo substitute for the beer? My son can’t have it.
Amanda says
Hi Olivia, you can use an equal amount of beef stock and it will be just as delicious! Hope your son enjoys it so much 🙂
Olivia says
I made two doubled batches, one using the beer and one replacing the beer with extra broth. In both recipes I used non dairy sour cream and canned full fat coconut milk instead of cream. I used way too much salt (because I’m not good without measurements) so I had to make another batch without salt and stir it in both batches. In the end, it was a true success! I also made a batch not using the meat (for my pescatarian daughter). I got a thumbs up from all six family members (a rare occurrence). All three versions I made were super delicious and super easy. Thank you so much!!!
Any chance you could give a ball park on how much salt you use in a batch?
Samantha Stobbe says
Excellent recipe! Easy to follow. Subbed a lighter beer but still turned out great! Two four year olds gobbled it right up so it was an obvious win!
(This comment was left by a family member of the writer of midwestniceblog.com)
Amanda says
Always love when little ones enjoy my recipes 🙂
Cassidy says
Wow - I am at a loss for words. This is not only one of the best stroganoff recipes I’ve ever had, but also the best venison meal I’ve made. Definitely will be revisiting this recipe quite often. Thank you for your wonderful creation!
Amanda says
Wow Cassidy! That is the absolute best news to hear! I am so happy you enjoyed it! Be sure to check out my other venison recipes (and stay tuned - I've got more coming!) 🙂
EmRaine says
So yummy!! I am always on the hunt for a good ground venison recipe 🖤
Amanda says
You'll find plenty of those recipes here, Emily! So glad you enjoyed it 🙂 Happy cooking!
Heather says
I made this tonight... Followed exactly. Used Honey Brown beer and added pepper. I think if I make again will use 2lbs of ground venison and 16 oz of mushrooms and keep the sauce the same. It was delicious! Thank you.
Amanda says
You're so welcome Heather! Glad you enjoyed! I have also doubled the venison and mushrooms before and think the results are just as stunning. It often depends on how much venison we have on hand and how hungry my husband is 🙂
Silver Spring Foods says
This looks great and very Wisconsin! YUM! 🙂
Amanda says
Thank you! I'm all about good Wisconsin food 🙂