Making Post-Apocalypic “Venison” Stew Inspired by The Last of Us
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What’s Up, Hungry People
WARNING: Spoilers for The Last of Us S1 E8 in this recipe!
Desperate times call for desperate measures. Meat can be hard to come by in the world of The Last of Us—so much so that you have to make do with… whatever you have available. No matter how seemingly gross it may be.
At the commune located at Silver Lake, you may want to skip the “venison” stew. But of course, if you don’t eat, you may starve yourself, meaning you’re next on the menu.
In the episode, the woman in the kitchen carefully asks, “What is it?” referring to the mystery meat in the Tupperware container that she has just been presented.
“Venison” is the response—though the viewer already knows, this is almost certainly NOT deer meat.
She grabs the mystery meat by the handful and plops it into the broth completely raw—and it was about at this point I about turned off the episode while shouting, “YOU’RE NOT EVEN GOING TO SEAR IT FIRST?!”
I refuse to believe that twenty-something years post-apocalypse, society just completely forgot about searing meat. Humans have literally been cooking meat this way for thousands, if not millions, of years.
Chop that lady up instead—she’s the real one committing food crimes against her commune here.
So if the world ends due to a mushroom infestation, stick with me, kids. If we’re going to be eating people, we might as well do it right.
Why Do We Sear Meat First?
Anyone who has ever cooked a steak (or meat of any kind, really) and given it a nice, golden-brown sear is already familiar with the benefits of searing meat.
Searing the meat creates a chemical reaction called the Maillard Reaction, which in short is when the amino acids and sugars are reduced to create a browning effect and releases aroma. This reaction happens in everything from baking cupcakes and bread to searing steak and frying eggs. It also locks in the juices of meats, preventing the meat from drying out as it cooks.
Without searing the meat before adding it into the stew, you’ll end up with very chewy and stringy meat that definitely will be less appetizing than if it was cooked correctly.
While doing it the way in the show isn’t technically wrong, if you’re going to be serving up your commune, you can at least make it taste marginally better by searing it first.
What Was in the Soup in The Last of Us Then?
Well… the better question to be asking is: “Who?” In the game and TV show, the meat is actually… other members of the commune.
Here’s What You Need:
- Broth or stock: Definitely made from animals and not humans.
- “Venison” meat: Fresh game meat works best in this recipe.
- Canned potatoes, peas, and carrots: Canned veggies are perfect for post-apocalyptic cooking.
- Shallot & garlic: Fresh from the root cellar or foraged from the forest (or grocery store).
- Crushed tomatoes in sauce: To build up the base of the stew and add flavor to cover up the human-y undertones.
- Herb bundle: Foraged herbs from the forest or dried from last season (mine had marjoram and thyme).
In this recipe, we’re using commercially available meat and hopefully not any of our loved ones. And I’m actually not using venison either—but the mystery is what makes this recipe fun.
Let’s Cook
Heat up a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, and get that tablespoon of vegetable oil nice and shimmery. Toss in your stew meat and give it a good stir to sear on all sides, about 2-3 minutes. It should still be a little raw in the middle, but we’re looking for that lovely browned exterior. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper as it browns.
Next, add those canned potatoes and stir until they’re a little browned, too. Then, throw in the diced shallots and minced garlic, cooking until everything smells heavenly, about another 2-3 minutes.
Now, carefully fold in the drained peas and carrots—try not to mash them up too much. After that, pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir until everything’s combined. Add your broth, toss in the herb bundle, and bring it all to a nice rolling simmer.
Let your stew simmer away for about 45-55 minutes, giving it a stir every now and then so nothing sticks to the bottom and burns. Once it’s mostly thickened, turn the heat down low and let it hang out for another 5-10 minutes.
When it’s all good and thick, ladle up this (definitely not human) stew for your commune.
Extra Tips for Venison Stew:
- Adjust the broth consistency: If the stew gets too thick for your liking, just add a bit more broth or water to thin it out as it simmers.
- Swap out the veggies: If you’ve got a root cellar stash, fresh veggies like parsnips or rutabaga can be used instead of canned ones. Just chop them into bite-sized pieces before adding them in.
- For a richer flavor: Try using beef broth instead of chicken broth, or even add a splash of red wine when you add the broth for some extra depth.
- Storing leftovers: This stew keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stove over medium heat, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen it up.
Common Questions About Totally-Not-People Stew:
- Can I use fresh venison instead of beef? Yes! Fresh venison is great if you have access to it—just be sure to cook it thoroughly.
- What can I use if I don’t have an herb bundle? If you’re out of fresh herbs, dried herbs work just fine. Use about 1 teaspoon each of dried thyme, marjoram, and oregano.
- Can I make this stew in a slow cooker? Absolutely. Just sear the meat first on the stove, then transfer everything to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- Can I freeze leftovers? Yes, you can freeze this stew for up to 3 months. Just let it cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Watch It On TikTok
@fictionalfeastfelicia if we're going to be serving people, you gotta at least do it right… I refuse to believe 20 years post apocalypse that society just completely forgot how to sear meat 🧟♀️ #fictionalfeast #tlou #venisonrecipes #videogamefood #foodfromtelevision #thestarvingchef #reciperequests #fictionalfeasts #stewmeatrecipes ♬ The Last of Us – Gustavo Santaolalla
What fictional feasts should I make next? Head on over to TikTok and let me know – or leave a comment below!
So there you have it, Hungry People—a stew that even the folks at Silver Lake would approve of (minus the questionable meat choices, of course). Next time you find yourself in a post-apocalyptic scenario—or just a really empty pantry—you can whip up this “venison” stew with confidence. Just remember, searing your meat isn’t optional, it’s survival. And hey, if you’re feeling bold, try swapping in some different meats and see what you like best (human-free, please).
The “Venison” Stew from The Last of Us
Equipment
Ingredients
- 32 oz stewing meat venison, bison, beef chuck, etc
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 15 oz canned potatoes drained
- 15 oz canned peas & carrots drained
- 2 tablespoons shallot diced
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes in puree
- 2 cups broth or stock chicken, beef, etc.
- 1 herb bundle thyme, marjoram, oregano, etc.
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil until shimmery, then add the stew meat. Stir to sear the meat on all sides, until it is just starting to brown, about 2-3 minutes. There should still be streaks of uncooked meat throughout. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add in the canned potatoes and continue to stir until the potatoes are browned and mixed into the meat. Then stir in the shallot and garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 2-3 more minutes.
- Stir in the drained peas and carrots, being careful not to mash up the vegetables too much as you stir.
- Add in the crushed tomatoes. Stir until everything is combined, then pour in the broth. Toss in the herb bundle and bring to a rolling simmer.
- Simmer the stew until mostly thickened, about 45-55 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Reduce the heat to low and continue to stir for another 5-10 minutes.
- Once thickened, serve the stew to the unsuspecting members of your commune. Enjoy!
