Easy Venison Cowboy Soup Recipe (Slow Cooker)
If you’re looking for an easy, hearty soup that the whole family will enjoy, this Venison Cowboy Soup is one to add to your recipe collection!
Made with ground venison, potatoes, beans, corn, mixed vegetables, and a flavorful tomato-based broth, this cowboy soup is filling, comforting, and full of flavor.
One of the things I love most about this recipe is how easy it is to throw together in the slow cooker. Brown your ground venison, add the remaining ingredients, and let the crockpot do the work!
We use venison quite a bit in our kitchen, and ground venison is one of my favorite simple swaps for ground beef. It’s lean, versatile, and works beautifully in recipes like this one. If you don’t have venison on hand, you can easily substitute ground beef.
This is also a great recipe to double when you’re feeding a crowd. I’ve made it for family dinners, Bible study groups, and pitch-ins. It’s always a hit!
Easy Venison Cowboy Soup Recipe (Slow Cooker)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground venison, breaking it apart as it cooks. Cook until no longer pink. There is no need to drain the venison. If using ground beef, drain any excess grease.1 pound ground venison
- Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker with softened butter.
- Add the browned ground venison, chopped onion, minced garlic, diced potatoes, frozen corn, mixed vegetables, drained and rinsed beans, diced tomatoes with their juices, tomato sauce, beef broth, and seasonings to the slow cooker.1 small yellow onion, 2 cloves garlic, 1 russet potato, 1 cup frozen corn, 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables, 1 15-ounce can pinto beans, drained and rinsed, 1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed, 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, with juices, 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce, 5 –6 cups beef broth, 2 teaspoons chili powder, 2 teaspoons ground cumin, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Stir everything together until well combined. Add enough beef broth to cover the ingredients, adjusting the amount as needed.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the potatoes and vegetables are tender.
- Stir well before serving and enjoy!
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground venison (or substitute ground beef)
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 russet potato, diced (peel or leave the skin on)
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
- 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, with juices
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 5–6 cups beef broth
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
How to Make Venison Cowboy Soup
Step 1: Brown the ground venison.
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground venison, breaking it apart as it cooks. Cook until no longer pink. If you’re using ground venison, there is generally no need to drain it because it is so lean. If you’re substituting ground beef, drain any excess grease.
Step 2: Prepare your slow cooker.
Lightly coat the inside of your slow cooker with softened butter. I like to put a little butter on a paper towel and rub it around the inside of the crock. This helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup a little easier.
Step 3: Add the ingredients.
Add your browned ground venison, chopped onion, minced garlic, diced potatoes, frozen corn, mixed vegetables, drained beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, and seasonings to the slow cooker.
Stir everything together until well combined.
Step 4: Add the broth.
Pour in enough beef broth to cover the ingredients. Start with about 5 cups and add more as needed, depending on the size of your slow cooker and how much liquid you prefer in your soup.
Step 5: Cook.
Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the potatoes and vegetables are tender.
Give everything a good stir before serving and enjoy!
Tips for Making the Best Venison Cowboy Soup
Use ground venison or ground beef. We love using venison in our kitchen. It’s a simple swap for ground beef in many recipes. Venison is naturally lean and, when harvested and processed appropriately, can be a great source of protein. If you prefer ground beef, just brown it first and drain any excess grease.
Adjust the seasonings. This soup has a wonderful flavor from the chili powder and cumin, but don’t be afraid to make it your own. You can add additional seasoning to taste. Paprika is another great addition if you want to add a little more flavor.
Adjust the broth. Depending on your slow cooker and how thick you like your soup, you may need a little more or a little less beef broth. I like to make sure the ingredients are covered with liquid.
Make a double batch. This is one of my favorite soups to make when we’re feeding a crowd. It’s easy to double, and it works wonderfully for Bible study gatherings, family get-togethers, and church pitch-ins.
What to Serve with Cowboy Soup
This Venison Cowboy Soup is hearty enough to serve on its own, but I love pairing it with a few homemade favorites.
- Homemade sourdough bread
- Freshly milled wheat dinner rolls
- Cornbread
- Saltine crackers
- A simple side salad
A warm loaf of homemade bread alongside a bowl of this soup makes for a pretty wonderful meal!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I substitute ground beef for ground venison?
Absolutely! Ground beef works just as well in this recipe. Brown the beef in a skillet and drain any excess grease before adding it to your slow cooker.
Can I make Venison Cowboy Soup ahead of time?
Yes! This is a wonderful make-ahead meal. You can prepare it earlier in the day and let it cook in the slow cooker until dinner. It’s also a great option when you know you’ll have a busy evening.
Can I freeze leftover cowboy soup?
Yes. Allow the soup to cool, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 3 months for best quality. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat thoroughly on the stovetop.
Can I make this soup on the stovetop?
Yes! Brown the venison in a large soup pot, then add the remaining ingredients and broth. Bring everything to a gentle boil, reduce the heat, and simmer until the potatoes and vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.
A Hearty Soup for Sharing
I love recipes that are simple to make, feed a crowd, and don’t require a lot of extra work. This Venison Cowboy Soup checks all those boxes!
Whether you’re making it for your family on a busy weeknight, taking it to Bible study, or bringing a big pot to your next church pitch-in, it’s a hearty meal that everyone can enjoy. And if you have a little venison in your freezer, this is a delicious way to use it!
