Slow Cooker Elk Stew – Hearty Wild Game Comfort Food

There’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of a slow cooker elk stew simmering on a cold winter day. Tender chunks of elk are slow-cooked with onions, celery, root vegetables, and fresh herbs, creating a rich, savory broth that fills the kitchen and warms the soul. Perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy family meals, this stew is a “set it and forget it” way to turn wild game into a hearty, satisfying comfort dish.

The slow cooker has been a kitchen staple for decades, originally patented over 80 years ago and widely popularized in the 1970s as a time-saving solution for busy households. It’s ideal for tenderizing tougher cuts of meat while slowly building deep, layered flavors with a low-and-slow simmer.

For this recipe, cubed and seared elk meat forms the base of the stew, along with chopped onions, celery, root vegetables, and a bouquet of fresh herbs. As it simmers gently in the slow cooker, the flavors meld together, producing a savory, aromatic stew that’s hearty and satisfying. The longer it cooks, the more tender the meat and richer the flavor—making it a perfect make-ahead meal for cold winter nights.

Serve a generous bowl alongside crusty bread or a simple side salad, and let the comforting flavors of slow-cooked elk stew warm you from the inside out.

Slow Cooker Elk Stew (Substitute other Wild Game: venison meat or antelope meat)

A combination of cubed and seared elk meat – chopped onions, celery, root vegetables and fresh herbs are the base of the dish. The longer you simmer, the better the flavor.

Wild Game Cookbook

If you love comforting wild game meals like this slow cooker elk stew, my Wild Game Cuisine Cookbook has dozens of recipes featuring elk, venison, antelope, and more. From weeknight dinners to special-occasion meals, each recipe highlights the natural flavor of wild game while helping you create memorable dishes for family and friends.

Slow Cooker Elk Stew – Hearty Wild Game Comfort Food

Warm up with this hearty slow cooker elk stew. Tender elk, root vegetables, and fresh herbs simmered low and slow for a comforting wild game dinner.

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Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours hours

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Elk Recipes, Elk Stew

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 lbs elk round roast, cut into 3/4" - 1" cubes
• 2 cups carrots, halved and chopped into 1"or 2" pieces
• 2 cups parsnips, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 cup celery, finely chopped
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cups low sodium beef broth
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• Italian parsley, finely chopped (optional)
• grated parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped celery and onion and cook for about 5 minutes until softened. Add carrots, garlic, thyme, and bay leaves and cook another 5 minutes.
• Stir in tomato paste and beef broth, season with salt and pepper, and pour the mixture into the crockpot.
• Add the remaining olive oil to the skillet and brown the cubed elk meat in batches. Transfer the browned elk and chopped parsnips to the crockpot and stir to combine.
• Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6–8 hours, until the elk is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
• In a small bowl, dissolve cornstarch in 2 tablespoons cold water. Stir into the crockpot and cook an additional 30 minutes until slightly thickened. Adjust seasoning to taste.
• Serve over mashed potatoes and garnish with chopped parsley and a pinch of Parmesan cheese.

Notes

• Browning the elk first adds richer flavor.
• Cut vegetables uniformly for even cooking.

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Love Elk? Discover More Recipes

If you can’t get enough of elk, there’s a whole world of recipes waiting for you. Warm up with a bowl of hearty elk chili or try a comforting elk cornbread casserole for a crowd-pleasing dinner. From quick weeknight meals to special-occasion dishes, exploring more elk recipes is the perfect way to enjoy this versatile wild game protein.