Ground Venison Stroganoff

Rich and creamy venison stroganoff is the ultimate comfort food! This family favorite is super simple to prepare, and you can have it on the table in less than 30 minutes.

If you’re looking for that special meal to warm your bones on a cold fall night, then you’ll love this hearty venison stroganoff. Wild game meat has a rich and earthy flavor that is delicious in a stroganoff - you’ll find yourself going back for seconds and thirds!

Success Stories

Check out some of the great feedback I've received for this recipe. All reader comments are listed at the bottom of this post. Thanks to everyone who left a review!

Alicia wrote, "This was my first time cooking venison. It was the *BEST* stroganoff I've ever had. My only regret is other venison recipes I may try in the future won't ever really beat this mouth watering recipe!"

Randy commented, "Very Good, One of the best Stroganoff recipes I have found, thank you for sharing."

Nathan said, "I forgot to buy mushrooms, but it still turned out amazing!!
Easy to make, and delicious."

Why This Recipe Works

I’ve made this wild game recipe a venison and mushroom stroganoff because mushrooms share a similar earthy flavor to the venison, so they go together perfectly.

Venison is protein-rich meat and, when cooked correctly, is quite tender and flavorful. Luckily, we have hunters in the family! As a result, we always seem to have various cuts of venison in our freezer at certain times of the year, but ground deer meat is in our freezer year-round.

You can use ground venison for all kinds of recipes that call for ground beef. I’ve used it in chili, spaghetti, and vegetable soup. Try using venison in my Easy Hamburger Vegetable Soup or Southern Style Chili!

Ingredients You'll Need

The exact measurements are in the recipe card below.

Olive oil - olive oil has a great flavor, but you can use canola oil if that’s all you have.

Ground venison - make sure you’re using ground venison to get the right texture and flavor. 

Diced fresh onion - red or white onion is fine; just be sure to dice it up nice and small.

Sliced fresh mushrooms - I like chestnut mushrooms, but any kind will work well.  Try baby portobello mushrooms, too.

All-purpose flour - this is used to thicken the sauce.

Beef broth - you can buy beef broth from the grocery store, or you can make your own (take a look at Paula Deens old time beef stew to see how!) If you don't have time to make your own, there are many great options to substitute for beef broth.

Heavy whipping cream - this is used to make your sauce nice and thick and creamy.

Sour cream - adds a slight tang to your sauce.

Worcestershire sauce - this stuff is so tasty. It adds depth to the flavor of your venison stroganoff. Plus, you can add it to cheese on toast, and it’s dang tasty!

Salt and ground black pepper - just a sprinkling of each is needed.  Always taste test the recipe before serving to adjust seasonings, if needed.

Cooked wide egg noodles - you could use linguine if that's what you already have on hand.

Ingredient Substitutions

• If you're out of venison, use ground beef (that's easy!).
• 1 teaspoon of onion powder is roughly equivalent to 1 medium-sized fresh onion.
• Use soy sauce in place of Worcestershire sauce for a similar salty, umami flavor.
• Greek yogurt can be used as a 1:1 substitute for sour cream.
• Half and half can be used instead of the whipping cream.
• Zucchini and eggplant make great replacements for mushrooms.

How to Make Venison Stroganoff

Please use the recipe card when making the recipe!

Step 1 - Cook the ground venison. Then add garlic and onions. Finally add the mushrooms.

Step 2 - Sprinkle in the flour and stir until fully mixed in.

Step 3 - Add the beef broth, whipping cream, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper, and bring to a simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 4 - Remove from the heat, add in the sour cream, and stir well to combine. Taste for flavor and add more seasoning if desired. Place some hot, cooked egg noodles on your plate and top with the best venison stroganoff!

Serving Suggestions

Venison stroganoff is delicious served over egg noodles, but it also works well over rice or mashed potatoes.

If you want to make your meal even more special, you could pair it with these buttery roasted potato slices, smothered cabbage, grilled corn of the cob, or a chunk of warm bread which is perfect for mopping up the sauce!

Recipe Tips for Success

Be sure not to cook the venison longer than what is needed or it could become a little dry.

Opt for full-fat sour cream for a creamier and richer sauce. Low-fat versions can sometimes curdle when heated.

Do a final taste test before serving and add more seasonings if you desire.