Slow-Cooked Herb-Infused Venison Loin
This Slow-Cooked Herb-Infused Venison Loin recipe elevates the wild flavors of venison by slow-cooking it to perfection in a comforting blend of seasonings and aromatics. Ideal for a hearty family meal, this dish is made in a crock pot, allowing the venison to absorb all the savory flavors while remaining tender and juicy. With the delightful combination of herbs, onions, and mushrooms, this venison loin pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes or your favorite sides. Perfect for sharing with friends and family, this comforting dish will surely become a favorite in your recipe collection.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
venison loin roast
3-4 lbs (trimmed and tied if necessary)
Lipton Onion Soup Mix
1 (2 ounce) envelope (dry mix)
beef bouillon
2 teaspoons (granulated)
Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons (liquid)
thyme
1/2 teaspoon (dried)
rosemary
1/2 teaspoon (dried)
garlic powder
1 teaspoon (dry)
garlic clove
1 (coarsely chopped)
onion
1/2 cup (chopped)
canned mushroom slices
1 (4 ounce) can (drained)
red wine
1 fluid ounce (about a jigger)
flour
as needed (for dredging)
margarine
2 tablespoons (for browning)
salt and pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
Instructions
1
Start by seasoning the venison loin with salt and pepper on all sides, then dredge it lightly in flour to create a nice crust.
2
In a heavy skillet over medium-high heat, melt the margarine. Once hot, add the venison loin and brown it on all sides, ensuring to develop a rich color and flavor. Once browned, transfer it to the crock pot.
3
In the same skillet, add the chopped onions and canned mushroom slices. Sauté for a few minutes until the onions are translucent and the mushrooms are slightly browned.
4
To deglaze the skillet, pour about 1 cup of water, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom to capture all those flavors. Carefully pour the contents of the skillet into the crock pot with the venison.
5
Add the Lipton Onion Soup Mix, beef bouillon, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, chopped garlic, and red wine to the crock pot. Stir the mixture gently to ensure everything is well-distributed.
6
Make sure there is just enough water to cover the roast, then place the lid on the crock pot.
7
Set the crock pot to cook on high for 6 hours, then switch to low for an additional 2 hours, or until the venison is tender and easily pulls apart with a fork.
8
Serve the herb-infused venison loin over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes, spooning the rich sauce and mushrooms over the top for added flavor.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What cut of venison is best for this recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for a 3-4 lb venison loin roast, which can be trimmed and tied if necessary.
How do you prepare the meat before browning?
The meat should be seasoned with salt and pepper on all sides and then lightly dredged in flour.
What is the purpose of dredging the venison in flour?
Dredging the venison in flour before browning helps create a nice crust and enhances the flavor.
What heat setting should be used for browning the loin?
The venison loin should be browned in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat.
What fat is used to brown the venison?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of margarine for melting in the skillet to brown the roast.
How long should you brown the venison loin?
Brown the roast on all sides until it develops a rich color and flavor.
What do you do with the venison after it is browned?
Once browned, the venison loin should be transferred from the skillet into the crock pot.
Which vegetables are added to the skillet after the meat?
After browning the meat, add 1/2 cup of chopped onions and one 4-ounce can of mushroom slices to the skillet.
How long should the onions and mushrooms be sautéed?
Sauté them for a few minutes until the onions are translucent and the mushrooms are slightly browned.
How do you deglaze the skillet?
Deglaze the pan by pouring about 1 cup of water into the skillet and scraping up the brown bits from the bottom.
Why is deglazing the skillet important?
Deglazing captures all the concentrated flavors from the browned meat and vegetables to add to the slow cooker.
What specific soup mix is required for this dish?
The recipe requires one 2-ounce envelope of dry Lipton Onion Soup Mix.
How much beef bouillon is added to the mixture?
You should add 2 teaspoons of granulated beef bouillon for savory seasoning.
What amount of Worcestershire sauce is needed?
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of liquid Worcestershire sauce.
Which dried herbs are used in the herb-infused blend?
The herb infusion includes 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme and 1/2 teaspoon of dried rosemary.
Is fresh garlic used in addition to powder?
Yes, the recipe uses one coarsely chopped garlic clove and 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.
Is wine included in the ingredients list?
Yes, 1 fluid ounce (about a jigger) of red wine is added to the crock pot.
How much water should be in the crock pot?
You should add just enough water to ensure the roast is covered before cooking.
What is the first cooking setting and duration for the crock pot?
The crock pot should be set to cook on high for 6 hours.
What is the second stage of slow cooking?
After 6 hours on high, switch the crock pot to the low setting for an additional 2 hours.
How can you tell if the venison loin is finished?
The venison is done when it is tender and easily pulls apart with a fork.
What is the recommended serving suggestion for this dish?
The venison should be served over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes with the rich sauce spooned over the top.
Is this recipe intended for a slow cooker?
Yes, it is specifically designed to be made in a crock pot for a tender and juicy result.
What type of mushrooms should be used?
The recipe calls for one 4-ounce can of mushroom slices, drained before sautéing.
How is the sauce for the dish created?
The sauce is created in the crock pot from the juices, herbs, wine, soup mix, and deglazed pan bits.
Can the roast be trimmed before cooking?
Yes, the recipe notes the venison loin roast can be trimmed and tied if necessary before seasoning.
What flavor profile does the red wine provide?
The red wine contributes to the savory and herb-infused character of the slow-cooked sauce.
Is the onion soup mix added wet or dry?
The onion soup mix is added to the crock pot as a dry mix.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 14 ingredients used in this venison loin recipe.
Is this recipe suitable for wild game?
Yes, it is specifically designed to elevate the wild flavors of venison, also known as deer meat.