This slow cooker whole pheasant recipe is a family favorite! Made easily in any crockpot or slow cooker, this hands-free meal features tender and juicy pheasant cooked in a creamy mushroom sauce. Perfect for busy days or to serve during the holidays, this slow cooker pheasant recipe is incredibly quick and easy to throw together!

You might have seen whole pheasants in the grocery store and wondered how to cook them. This wild game bird can actually be cooked in the same way as regular chicken, but because pheasant is naturally denser and tougher than chicken, cooking it in a slow cooker is one of the best ways to prepare it.

This cooking method ensures that the meat becomes fork-tender while staying incredibly juicy and flavorful. Also try my london broil slow cooker recipe and Crockpot turkey wings. So good!

Crockpot meals are some of the best dinners to make during the colder months. It's super easy to add everything to a slow cooker in the morning and then in the evening, you have a wonderful meal ready to be served to your family.

slow cooker whole pheasant before cooking — raw whole pheasant in the bag

The delicious smell of slow-cooked pheasant with cream of mushroom soup is incredible. The earthiness of the mushrooms is a perfect companion to the tender and slightly gamey flavor of wild pheasant.

Perfect to serve during the holidays, this crockpot pheasant recipe is a no-stress meal that everyone will love and enjoy!

Recipe ingredients

Whole pheasant. Fresh or thawed. A whole pheasant usually weighs 2 - 3lbs.

Onion. Helps to tenderize the meat and adds a caramelized sweetness to this dish.

Cream of mushroom soup. A can of condensed cream of mushroom soup keeps the pheasant moist as it cooks and creates a wonderful mushroom sauce mixed with the meat juices.

Worcestershire sauce. Adds a pop of savory flavor to this crockpot pheasant recipe.

Salt. A little bit of seasoning to taste.

Garlic powder. Adds a subtle garlic flavor to this dish.

whole bird in the crock pot — add pheasant in to slow cooker

How to cook whole pheasant in slow cooker

Start with thawing the bird first. For the best results and if you have time, transfer pheasant from the freezer to the fridge one day ahead. It will be thawed and juicy when cooked. Just like what you do with turkey for Thanksgiving. Pheasant is just much smaller.

Alternatively just thaw the bird on the counter or in the sink. It will take a few hours. If in rush, submerge the package in cold water and it will thaw much faster.

The recipe if very simple and will require just a few ingredients. Place thawed pheasant in the crock pot. Add cream of mushroom soup right on top. Add Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. Add garlic powder. Stir a little and close the lid.

pheasant covered with cream of mushroom soup — add sauce ingredients

Set your slow cooker to HIGH for 5 hours or to LOW for 8. Check on the bird every once in a while and stir the sauce around so it doesn't burn.

Also i chose not to keep the pheasant whole in the end of cooking time. This way it way easier to serve. I cut it in pieces for convenience.

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Substitutions

Pheasant. Use a whole chicken, quails, or a couple of cornish hens instead!

Worcestershire sauce. Use soy sauce, a mixture of soy sauce and ketchup, a splash of sherry vinegar, or simply leave it out.

Cream of mushroom soup. Use cream of chicken soup + chopped button mushrooms, or make your own mushroom white sauce.

Garlic. If you prefer the taste of fresh garlic, use 2 - 3 minced garlic cloves instead of dried garlic powder.

whole bird covered in cream of mushroom soup in slow cooker — stir them around

Variations

Don't have a slow cooker? No problem! Add all the ingredients into an oven-safe pot then cook on low heat until the meat is tender.

Add veggies such as chopped potatoes, carrots, or extra mushrooms to the slow cooker for an even more filling meal.

If you find that the sauce is too thick, add a splash or water, veggie, or chicken broth to the pot to thin it out a bit.

slow cooker pheasant recipe with chopped onions

Frequently asked questions

What do pheasants taste like?

Pheasants have a similar taste and texture to regular chicken but with a slightly gamey flavor.

Is pheasant dark meat?

Pheasant meat is generally darker than chicken but pheasant is considered to be white meat. The breast is white while the legs and thighs are darker in color and taste similar to chicken or turkey meat.

Should you soak pheasants before cooking?

Pheasant is sometimes soaked in a saltwater brine for several hours before cooking not only for flavor but also to add extra moisture to the meat so it doesn't dry out while cooking.

However, for this recipe, I find this to be an unnecessary step since we are slow cooking the pheasant with cream of mushroom soup and it won't dry out in the slow cooker.

What cooking method is best for pheasants?

Slow cooking! If you've never cooked pheasant before, it can easily become dry if cooked incorrectly. Slow cooking a whole pheasant in a crock pot allows the meat to become tender without losing its juices.

Where to buy?

Even though pheasant is a game bird it is readily available in large grocery stores in the meat department. If you can't find it, ask your grocery store to order it for you or look for it online.

crockpot pheasant with cream of mushroom soup

Side dishes

You can use almost any side dish with this recipe since pheasant just like chicken goes so well with everything! Try just a plain bowl of white rice, rice will soak up all the juices and will be extra delicious! Roasted potatoes, asparagus or zucchinis will be an awesome addition to this dish.

Make a classic healthy green or garden salad. Mix arugula, romaine or your favorite greens with sliced cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers and onions. Mix olive oil and a touch of balsamic vinegar and drizzle it all over the salad!

Storage

I usually store crock pot pheasant recipe leftovers in the air tight container for up to 4 days. If you don’t have a container, simply place pheasant (with broth) into the large ziplock bag or in a deep dish and cover with foil, plastic wrap or a flat plate.

Around Holidays i may not have empty containers and i just use a medium size pot with a lid and store it this way in the fridge.

Pheasant in Slow Cooker Recipe

Yield: 5

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 hours

Total Time: 5 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients

1 whole pheasant
1 onion, chopped
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
ground black pepper

Instructions

Add the bird in to the slow cooker. Add all other ingredients on top and stir around.
Cook on LOW for 7 hours or HIGH for 5.

Notes

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 5 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 218Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 929mgCarbohydrates: 11gFiber: 1gSugar: 5gProtein: 20g