Go Back
–+ servings
Closeup of black bear meat stew

How to Cook the Best Black Bear Stew Recipe + Guide

www.melissaraecarr.com
Follow along as I show you how to cook up black bear meat turning it into the best stew you have ever had! With all of the protein and vitamins, you cannot go wrong with this wild game meat recipe!
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Natural Release Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Dinner, instant pot, keto stew, low carb dinner
Cuisine American, Country Style
Servings 6 people
Calories 416 kcal

Equipment

  • Cast Iron Skillet or large skillet
  • Instant Pot/Electric Pressure Cooker or Slow Cooker
  • Tongs
  • Plate

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs bulk black bear meat, cubed
  • 2 Tbsp bacon grease or olive oil
  • 1 medium onion diced small
  • 3 Tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 6oz can tomato paste
  • 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 4 cups rough chopped veggies carrots, celery, potatoes, radishes etc.
  • 3 cups beef broth
  • 2 Tbsp tapioca starch or corn starch alternately use 1 tsp glucomannan
  • 1/3 cup dark red wine optional add in at broth step for flavor

Instructions
 

  • Start by preheating a skillet over medium heat. Lay the bear meat out onto a plate in one layer. Sprinkle with salt & pepper.
  • Put bacon grease or olive oil in preheated skillet. Sear meat chunks in skillet not touching each other. Do this in batches if you need to.
  • Once meat is all browned, add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened and the browned bits have come up.
  • Whisk in the beef broth and wine, if using, and cook till simmering and all browned bits have come up from the bottom of the skillet.
  • Pour all from skillet into your electric pressure cooker or crockpot.
  • Add in the spices, worcestershire sauce or soy sauce and tomato paste at this time and whisk to mix up. Save the glucomannan or starch for the end of the recipe.
  • Pour browned meat over the top and stir. Now add the roughly chopped veggies over the top of the meat and stir once more.
  • If cooking in the ELECTRIC PRESSURE COOKER, cook on HIGH for 35minutes. If cooking in the SLOW COOKER, cook on LOW for 8-10 hours.
  • With the ELECTRIC PRESSURE COOKER, after time has expired, leave it alone for 15 minutes which is called a natural release.
  • With the SLOW COOKER, after time is up, do a quick stir and proceed.
  • With either method, once cook time is up, take the 2 tbsp starch and mix with 2 tbsp cold water with a whisk. Now stir into the stew. With the ELECTRIC PRESSURE COOKER, turn to SAUTE mode for 5 minutes until it simmers, then it is done.
  • With the SLOW COOKER, turn to HIGH and let it cook 10 minutes until small bubbles appear and it thickens to your liking.
  • Serve up hot! Leftovers keep well. 5 days in the fridge or 2 months in the freezer.

Notes

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving  
Calories 416
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 17.3g 22%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 90mg 30%
Sodium 8892mg 387%
Total Carbohydrate 16.8g 6%
Dietary Fiber 2.7g 10%
Total Sugars 6.8g  
Protein 48.4g  
Vitamin D 0mcg 0%
Calcium 40mg 3%
Iron 11mg 62%
Potassium 711mg 15%
Nutrition Facts do not include optional: dark red wine, potatoes, or tapioca starch. If you want to use these ingredients, the carb count increases to 34.5g
Can I freeze bear stew leftovers? Yes, bear stew freezes well. Let the stew cool completely, then transfer it to airtight containers or freezer bags. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then warm it on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Is bear meat safe to eat, and how should it be cooked to ensure safety? Bear meat is safe to eat with the right preparation. It’s important to cook bear meat to an internal temperature of at least 160°F (71°C) to kill any potential parasites like trichinella, which can be present in wild game. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, especially when slow cooking.
Will this recipe work with other meat from wild animals like venison, elk or caribou?  Yes, this stew is adaptable to other wild game meats like elk, venison and caribou. The texture of the meat will determine how long you have to cook it so the meat will be tender.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 416kcal
Keyword bear meat, bear meat stew, black bear meat, black bear stew, crockpot bear stew, crockpot stew, dairy free, dairy free dinner, dairy free gluten free, dairy free stew, dairy free sugar free, gluten free bear stew, gluten free stew, high protein, how to cook bear meat, how to cook black bear meat, how to cook black bear stew, How To Guide on Cooking the Best Black Bear Stew, instant pot, instant pot bear stew, instant pot beef stew, instant pot stew, keto, keto stew, low carb stew, quick bear stew, slow cooker bear stew, slow cooker stew, stew, the best black bear stew, wild game, wild game meat
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!