RecipesScotlandScottish Venison and Pear Stew

Scottish Venison and Pear Stew

A rich and hearty stew featuring tender venison, sweet pears, and warming spices, perfect for a chilly Scottish evening.

Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time2 hours 55 minutes
Servings6
DifficultyMedium
Scottish Venison and Pear Stew - Scotland traditional dish

🧂 Ingredients

  • 1 kg Venison stew meat(cubed)
  • 50 g All-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp Olive oil
  • 2 large Onions(chopped)
  • 3 medium Carrots(peeled and chopped)
  • 2 medium Celery stalks(chopped)
  • 4 cloves Garlic cloves(minced)
  • 250 ml Red wine
  • 750 ml Beef or venison stock
  • 2 leaves Bay leaves
  • 3 sprigs Fresh thyme
  • 3 medium Pears(peeled, cored, and cut into chunks)
  • 1 stick Cinnamon stick
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Black pepper
  • for garnish Fresh parsley(chopped)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

  1. 1

    Toss the venison cubes with flour, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.

  2. 2

    Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the venison in batches, then set aside.

  3. 3

    Add the chopped onions, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook until softened, about 8-10 minutes.

  4. 4

    Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

  5. 5

    Pour in the red wine and scrape the bottom of the pot to loosen any browned bits. Let it simmer and reduce by half.

  6. 6

    Return the browned venison to the pot. Add the beef or venison stock, bay leaves, thyme sprigs, and cinnamon stick. Bring to a simmer.

  7. 7

    Cover the pot and transfer to a preheated oven at 160°C (320°F) or reduce the stovetop heat to low. Cook for 2 hours, or until the venison is tender.

  8. 8

    Add the pear chunks to the stew. Continue to cook, covered, for another 30 minutes, or until the pears are tender.

  9. 9

    Remove the bay leaves, thyme sprigs, and cinnamon stick. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

  10. 10

    Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

💡 Pro Tips

  • For a deeper flavor, marinate the venison in red wine with herbs overnight before cooking.
  • If venison is unavailable, beef chuck roast can be substituted.
  • Adjust the sweetness by adding more or fewer pears, or a touch of honey if desired.

🔄 Variations

  • Add a handful of dried cranberries in the last hour of cooking for a tart contrast.
  • Serve with mashed potatoes, crusty bread, or pearl barley.

🏷️ Tags