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    In the Kitch » Recipes » Main Course

    Updated: Jan 8, 2025 · Published: Apr 12, 2023 by Joss Dyckson · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Bison Stew

    Jump to Recipe
    Bison stew in bowls with text overlay that says 'crockpot bison stew'.

    This crockpot bison stew with red wine and mushrooms makes a hearty, low effort weeknight dinner. Preparation time is only 10 minutes, and tossing everything in the slow cooker allows you to go about your day while your meal cooks.

    Bison stew with fresh thyme in a light-colored bowl, mashed potatoes and white flowers in the background.

    It is a worthy alternative to a classic, beef-based St. Patrick’s day stew, so it is also a great option for any festivities that you may be hosting on that day.

    The way the meat is slow cooked until tender turns out similar to my recipe for how to braise beef but the slow cooker makes it even easier!

    If you like making meals in the slow cooker, you can also check out this slow cooker spicy shredded Mexican chicken (a favorite of mine) and Mexican soup.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Recipe Tweaks
    • How to Make Bison Stew
    • Joss' Tips
    • Serving Suggestions
    • How to Store Leftover Bison Stew
    • Bison Stew FAQs
    • More Delish Bison Recipes to Try
    • 📋Recipe

    Ingredients

    Bison stew ingredients labeled.
    • bison chuck roast - To start, be sure to select a proper bison chuck roast for your dish. Bison is becoming a popular red meat option and is therefore relatively easy to find in most supermarket chains. Sometimes you can find chuck roast already cubed, labeled as ‘stew meat’, or you can simply cut up a chuck roast yourself. If your local store does not have a bison roast, then you may consider checking out your local farmers' market as there is often at least one vendor that offers bison meat. Some local farmers may even offer a delivery option.
    • all-purpose flour - The flour will help thicken the stew as it cooks in the crock-pot.
    • vegetable broth - I use regular, prepared vegetable broth but if you're watching your salt intake you can also find low sodium in the supermarket.
    • red wine - My favorite for cooking is cabernet sauvignon.

    *Check recipe card for full ingredient amounts.

    Recipe Tweaks

    • bison chuck roast - Chuck roast is one of the most favorable cuts for making stew, but you could also get away with a rump roast, cross rib roast or boneless bison short ribs, depending on price and availability. Slow cooking these cuts of bison will almost always yield a tender and tasty meal!
    • red wine - You can substitute with balsamic or red wine vinegar if you don’t want to use wine.

    How to Make Bison Stew

    Make this stew in 3 easy steps using only the slow cooker! No extra pans required.

    Bison stew meat in slow cooker with flour.

    Step 1. Mix the cubed bison with the flour, salt and pepper in a slow cooker.

    Bison stew ingredients in slow cooker with wooden spoon.

    Step 2. Add the mushrooms, onions, garlic, vegetable broth, red wine, brown sugar and dried thyme. Mix. Cover with the lid and cook on high heat for 4 hours or until the meat is tender.

    Bison stew and fresh thyme in a light-colored bowl with a fork.

    Step 3. Stir before serving. Garnish with fresh thyme leaves and serve over mashed potatoes or rice. It can also be served on its own.

    Joss' Tips

    • Thaw Time: Keep in mind that many market vendors sell meat as frozen, so you may need to incorporate a couple days of thawing time into your meal planning. If you have time, thaw the meat in the fridge overnight. Thawing the packaged meat in a sink of cold water will help speed things up.
    • Elevated Slow Cooker Bison Stew: If you wish, you can sauté the mushrooms and onions in butter before adding them to the slow cooker but I personally like to keep this bison recipe quick and easy, dump dinner style.

    Serving Suggestions

    • Sides: Some great sides to serve with this stew include mashed potatoes, rice, green salad and Irish soda bread.
    • Drinks: A cold glass of Guinness or a Guinness cocktail is also an excellent drink addition for those that are of age!
    • Desserts: For dessert, try this blackberry galette with brie cheese, strawberry crumble or a simple strawberry and chocolate sundae.

    How to Store Leftover Bison Stew

    • Fridge: Cover and store any leftover bison stew in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
    • Freezer: Stew also freezes well for up to 3 months.

    Bison Stew FAQs

    What is the best way to cook bison?

    It will depend on the cut of bison, but for chuck roast, low and slow is the best way to cook it for tender, juicy results.

    How do you make bison meat tender?

    For bison cuts that are tougher, you should be braising the meat, which requires cooking it at a lower heat for a longer period of time with some liquid.

    Bison stew with fresh thyme in a light-colored bowl, mashed potatoes on the side.

    More Delish Bison Recipes to Try

    • Grilled bison ribeye steak sliced on cutting board with spices on the side.
      Grilled Bison Ribeye Steaks
    • Bison brisket nachos in cast iron pan.
      Bison Brisket Nachos
    • Baked bison sliders in white casserole dish.
      Baked Bison Sliders
    • Bison meatballs with BBQ sauce and parsley.
      Bison Meatballs

    If you tried this Bison Stew Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. And please share the recipe!

    📋Recipe

    Bison stew in bowl with fresh thyme.

    Bison Stew

    Joss Dyckson
    This slow cooker bison stew with red wine and mushrooms makes a hearty, low effort weeknight dinner. Preparation time is only 10 minutes, and tossing everything in the slow cooker allows you to go about your day while your meal cooks.
    5 from 1 vote
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    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 4 hours hrs
    Total Time 4 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American, Canadian
    Servings 4
    Calories 376 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 2 pounds bison chuck roast - cut into 1-inch cubes
    • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
    • 1 ¼ teaspoons salt
    • ½ teaspoon pepper
    • 2 cups fresh button mushrooms - cleaned and quartered
    • 2 cups yellow onions - sliced
    • 1 tablespoon garlic - minced
    • 1 cup vegetable broth
    • ½ cup red wine - or balsamic or red wine vinegar
    • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
    • 1 tablespoon dried thyme leaves
    • fresh thyme leaves - to garnish (optional)

    Instructions
     

    • Mix the cubed bison with the flour, salt and pepper in a slow cooker.
    • Add the mushrooms, onions, garlic, vegetable broth, red wine, brown sugar and dried thyme. Mix to combine.
    • Cover with the lid and cook on high heat for 4 hours or until the meat is tender.
    • Stir before serving. Garnish with fresh thyme leaves and serve over mashed potatoes or rice.

    Equipment

    • Slow cooker

    Notes

    • Sometimes you can find chuck roast already cubed, labeled as ‘stew meat’, or you can simply cut up a chuck roast yourself.
    • Cover and store any leftover stew in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
    • Stew also freezes well for up to 3 months.
    • Some great sides to serve with this stew include mashed potatoes, rice, green salad and Irish soda bread. A cold glass of Guinness or a Guinness cocktail is also an excellent addition for those that are of age!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 376kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 52gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 141mgSodium: 1094mgPotassium: 1121mgFiber: 3gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 167IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 66mgIron: 8mg

    Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.

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    Hi, I'm Joss!

    I am the creator and editor of In the Kitch. I am inviting you on this food journey with me to learn, grow and bring out that inner chef in you. I hope to inspire you to get creative in your own kitchen!

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