Crock Pot Venison Shoulder Roast

This Crock Pot Venison Shoulder Roast is hearty and tender, which includes a venison roast and red wine for deep flavor. It’s the ultimate comfort food recipe, ready in about 8 hours and 10 minutes.

Crock Pot Venison Shoulder Roast Ingredients

For the Roast:

• 3 pounds (1350g) venison shoulder roast
• 1 tsp coarse salt
• 1 tsp ground pepper
• 1 tbsp mixed Italian herbs
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 cup (240ml) hot beef broth or stock from a cube
• ½ cup (120ml) red wine
• 2 tbsp tomato paste or purée
• 2 tbsp redcurrant jelly
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp juniper berries
• 5 carrots, peeled and cubed

To thicken gravy:

• 1 tbsp cornstarch diluted in 2 tbsp cold water

How To Make Crock Pot Venison Shoulder Roast

1. Prep the venison: Let the roast sit at room temperature for 20 minutes. Pat dry with paper towels and season with salt, pepper, and herbs.
2. Sear the meat: Heat oil in a skillet. Sear the venison on all sides until nicely browned, about 10 minutes. Set aside.
3. Mix the braising liquid: In the slow cooker, stir together beef broth, tomato paste, redcurrant jelly, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and red wine.
4. Add vegetables and venison: Stir in onion, bay leaves, and juniper berries. Place the seared venison and carrots into the slow cooker.
5. Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on LOW for 8–9 hours, until the venison is fork-tender.
6. Finish the gravy: Remove the meat. Simmer the braising liquid and stir in cornstarch slurry to thicken. Adjust seasoning as needed.
7. Serve and enjoy: Shred or slice the venison and serve with carrots and gravy over mashed potatoes.

Recipe Tips

• How to keep venison tender: Always cook low and slow. Avoid overcooking or letting it dry out.
• What does redcurrant jelly do? It balances the richness with a subtle sweetness and helps create a glossy gravy.
• Can I skip the searing step? Searing builds flavor, but you can skip it if you’re short on time.
• What can I use instead of juniper berries? A splash of gin or omit them—they add subtle pine-like flavor.
• How to thicken the gravy without cornstarch: Try a bit of xanthan gum or reduce the liquid over heat until thickened.

What To Serve With Venison Shoulder Roast

This rich venison roast is best paired with:

• Creamy mashed potatoes
• Roasted parsnips
• Braised red cabbage
• Crusty bread
• Green beans or sautéed spinach

How To Store Venison Shoulder Roast

Refrigerate: Store meat and gravy in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freeze: Freeze leftovers in portions with gravy for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat gently.

Venison Shoulder Roast Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 512
• Carbohydrates: 14g
• Protein: 84g
• Fat: 9g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Cholesterol: 256mg
• Sodium: 736mg
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 8g
• Iron: 12mg

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of venison?
Yes, shoulder works best for slow cooking, but neck or leg roasts also work well.

Is there a non-alcoholic substitute for wine?
Yes, use extra broth with a splash of balsamic vinegar for depth.

Do I need to remove the silver skin?
Yes, trimming it off helps with tenderness and flavor.

Can I prep this the night before?
Absolutely. Assemble everything in the slow cooker insert and refrigerate overnight.

How to reheat venison roast without drying it out?
Reheat in a covered pan with a bit of gravy over low heat until warmed through.

Try More Recipes:

• Crock Pot Venison Beef Stew
• Crock Pot Venison Backstrap
• Crock Pot Venison Curry