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Mary Berry Game Casserole Recipe

Mary Berry Game Casserole
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Print Recipe

Mary Berry’s Game Casserole is a slow-cooked stew made with a medley of game meats such as venison, pheasant, or partridge, simmered in a rich sauce of red wine, stock, and herbs. The dish is layered with hearty vegetables like carrots, onions, and mushrooms, creating a deep and flavorful gravy. Traditionally served during autumn and winter, this dish is a celebration of seasonal British ingredients and classic slow-cooking methods.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 800g mixed game meat (venison, pheasant, or partridge, diced)

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 onion, finely chopped

  • 2 carrots, sliced

  • 2 celery sticks, chopped

  • 2 garlic cloves, minced

  • 150g button mushrooms, halved

  • 2 tbsp plain flour

  • 200ml red wine

  • 500ml game or beef stock

  • 2 tbsp tomato purée

  • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

  • 1 bay leaf

  • 1 tsp dried thyme or rosemary

  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Meat

Pat the game meat dry with kitchen paper and season lightly with salt and pepper. This helps it brown properly and adds flavor.

Step 2: Brown the Game

Heat olive oil in a large casserole dish over medium heat. Add the game meat in batches and brown on all sides. Remove and set aside to prevent overcrowding the pan.

Step 3: Cook the Vegetables

In the same pan, add the chopped onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook gently for 5–7 minutes until softened and fragrant.

Step 4: Add Flour and Wine

Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute to eliminate any raw taste. Pour in the red wine, stirring continuously to deglaze the pan and lift any browned bits from the bottom.

Step 5: Build the Sauce

Add the tomato purée, Worcestershire sauce, herbs, and stock. Stir well, then return the browned meat to the pan. Mix to combine evenly.

Step 6: Simmer Slowly

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover with a lid and cook for 1½ to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the meat is tender and the sauce has thickened.

Step 7: Add Mushrooms and Finish Cooking

Add the mushrooms 20 minutes before the end of cooking so they retain their shape and texture.

Step 8: Serve and Garnish

Once the casserole is done, remove the bay leaf, adjust seasoning, and garnish with chopped parsley. Serve hot with creamy mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread.

Find it online: https://maryberrycooks.co.uk/mary-berry-game-casserole/