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Home » Recipes » Dinner

27 Insanely Popular Venison Dishes

Published: Mar 17, 2023 by Melanie Cagle · Leave a Comment

Thankfully, we are a family of hunters (and gatherers sometimes, lol) and so when it comes to that special time of year (deer hunting season) we like to start breaking out the venison dishes!

It's a rare occurrence that we buy beef because we use venison in most recipes that call for beef. It works great, tastes great and is super healthy!

four venison recipes in a rotation, deer burger, venison stew, deer jerky sticks and venison ragu

What is Venison?

Originally it was meant to include all game meats but that was a long time ago. In more current terms it is the meat of a deer or antelope. The difference between Venison and deer is 'Venison' is actually the meat of the deer, where 'deer' refers to the actual animal.

Deer Processing

The act of removing the meat from the carcass. James will actually process our deer a lot of the times himself. As long as you have a meat grinder for the ground meat, you can package up the roast cuts and the ground meat really easily.

Sometimes though we like to venture out and have venison sausage made (our favorite is the green onion sausage) or even burritos and tamales.

If there are any deer antlers, there's a variety of things can be done. If they are big enough then I'm sure a mount is called for. Otherwise you could just create a rattle (to be used during hunting) - for those real small racks or spikes they are really great chews for the dogs!

Our favorite cut from the beautiful deer is the backstrap. In fact, this is what we had for supper last night. Deer backstrap wrapped in bacon (I will be posting this recipe on my site very soon. In fact I plan on posting a good few venison backstrap recipes).

Is Venison Healthy?

Most definitely! It's actually 50% leaner than beef but packed full of protein, so it's great for those on a restrictive diet or are wanting to eat healthier. Also, if you have hunted and processed the deer yourself it's a totally clean meat. The deer has been eating from it's natural habitat.

How To Cook Venison

Following is a list of 27 insanely popular venison recipes that you will be excited to try, either with your own processed ingredients or with store-bought. Perhaps you have been lucky enough to be given some packaged venison meat from a family member or friend and are wondering what to do with it. Check out the recipes below for some inspiration!


Jump to:
  • What is Venison?
  • Deer Processing
  • Is Venison Healthy?
  • How To Cook Venison
  • Classic Venison Chili Recipes
  • Deer Chili Recipe
  • Spicy Venison Chili
  • Venison Chili - Stovetop or Slow Cooker Recipe
  • Best Venison Chili Recipe
  • Other Ground Venison Recipes
  • Spaghetti and Meatballs
  • Ground Venison Tacos
  • Venison Snack Sticks {Hickory Smoked}
  • Venison Burgers with Blue Cheese
  • Shortcut Michigan Venison Pasties
  • Best Venison Meatballs
  • Dirty Cauliflower Rice Recipe
  • Crock Pot Pinto Beans
  • Juicy Oven-Baked Venison Burgers Recipe
  • Southern Baked Beans
  • Venison Stews and Roasts
  • Instant Pot Venison Stew
  • Slow Cooker Venison Roast with Red Wine
  • Instant Pot Venison Roast
  • Easy Venison Stew
  • Slow Cooker Venison Stew
  • The Best Venison Stew
  • Slow Cooker Venison Roast with Mushroom Gravy
  • The Best Slow Cooker Venison Stew Recipe
  • Easy Slow Cooker Venison Stew Recipe
  • Other Venison Recipes
  • Instant Pot Venison Stew
  • Smoked Venison Backstrap
  • Slow Cooker Venison Roast with Red Wine
  • Grilled Venison Steak Recipe {Juicy & Delicious}
  • Venison Ragu Rich, Dark & Delicious
  • Mike’s Smoked Jerky
  • Grilled Venison & Chicken Kabobs
  • Venison Tips and Noodles
  • Venison Bone Broth

Classic Venison Chili Recipes

Venison Chili is a classic 'go-to' for that delicious and lean ground meat! Following are some much loved variations of a deer chili.

Photo Credit: thecaglediaries.com

Deer Chili Recipe

Try this heart warming chili, made in the classic way, much leaner though using venison ground meat.

Photo Credit: www.midwexican.com

Spicy Venison Chili

Hearty venison chili is spiced up with smoky flavors that make a cozy, comforting meal.

Photo Credit: lowcarbyum.com

Venison Chili - Stovetop or Slow Cooker Recipe

Comforting Venison Chili is easily done using a stovetop or your trusty slow cooker.

Photo Credit: frommichigantothetable.com

Best Venison Chili Recipe

This Best Venison Chili Recipe is loaded with flavorful vegetables and slow cooked to perfection!! Having an avid hunter husband, ground venison is in abundance at our house.


Other Ground Venison Recipes

Venison Chili tends to be the dish of choice for that ground venison we have stocked in our freezers (those that are lucky enough to be hunters, or have hunters in the family). However, there are many more recipes out there to try! Following is a list of recipes that all use ground venison, that is not chili.

Photo Credit: thecaglediaries.com

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Delicious spaghetti and meatballs will become another favorite in your home, using a mixture of venison ground meat and italian sausage.

Photo Credit: www.midwexican.com

Ground Venison Tacos

These ground venison tacos are incredibly delicious and lean especially when paired with a simple red wine vinaigrette slaw.

Photo Credit: outgrilling.com

Venison Snack Sticks {Hickory Smoked}

Venison Snack Sticks are the perfect on the go snack and we love how simple and delicious this recipe turned out.

Photo Credit: www.krumpli.co.uk

Venison Burgers with Blue Cheese

Beef ain't the only game in town when it comes to a good burger, this venison burger features garlic bacon and juniper. It is topped with gin cooked peaches to keep that juniper theme running and blue cheese.

Photo Credit: stefseatsandsweets.com

Shortcut Michigan Venison Pasties

These meat hand pies are comfort food at its finest. Flakey crust, meat potatoes and vegetables in one hand held pie.

Photo Credit: frommichigantothetable.com

Best Venison Meatballs

My creamy Venison Meatballs are fork tender and incredibly delicious. Slow cooked in a cream sauce, this Venison Meatballs recipe will become your family’s favorite.

Photo Credit: joyfilledeats.com

Dirty Cauliflower Rice Recipe

This Dirty Cauliflower Rice recipe is a new spin on the classic Creole dish. Simple, quick, easy and delicious, this one pan recipe can be on the table in less than 30 minutes!

Photo Credit: thecaglediaries.com

Crock Pot Pinto Beans

This meat filled recipe for pinto beans has almost become famous. Smoky flavor of sausage and the tasty pinto beans cooked low and slow in the crock pot will make your home smell divine all day!

Photo Credit: www.babaganosh.org

Juicy Oven-Baked Venison Burgers Recipe

Make mouthwatering, juicy Venison Burgers without any added fat! These lean delicious venison burgers are ready in less than a half hour.

Photo Credit: thecaglediaries.com

Southern Baked Beans

No backyard cookout is complete without a big ol' pot of barbecue baked beans on the side. Filled with venison ground meat and bacon, it'll get your tastebuds popping just to smell it.


Venison Stews and Roasts

A few variations of venison roast and venison stew recipes.

Instant Pot Venison Stew

A quick and easy, yet totally comforting meal - this instant pot venison stew is perfect for those looking for a quick meal that is hearty and filling.

Slow Cooker Venison Roast with Red Wine

This delicious slow cooker venison roast with red wine is cooked low and slow and gives the most tender roast with a great gravy.

Photo Credit: www.corriecooks.com

Instant Pot Venison Roast

Delicious one-pot meal you can make in your Instant Pot. You can the slow cooking function or the pressure cooking function if you wanna save time.

Photo Credit: recipesfromapantry.com

Easy Venison Stew

Need something warming, nutritious and comforting that requires minimal effort to make? Then this full of pantry ingredients, easy Venison Stew is your best bet.

Photo Credit: recipethis.com

Slow Cooker Venison Stew

Slow Cooker Venison Stew. Stunning venison stew with root vegetables cooked from scratch in the slow cooker or crockpot. An easy dump and start slow cooker venison stew for an easy family dinner.

Photo Credit: frommichigantothetable.com

The Best Venison Stew

Perfectly cooked to make this simple venison stew recipe a family favorite. This delicious stew is chocked full of sliced carrots and diced celery. Choose from Instant Pot, Crockpot, Slow Cooker and stove top versions.

Photo Credit: www.themagicalslowcooker.com

Slow Cooker Venison Roast with Mushroom Gravy

Make a tender venison roast on the slow cooker with a decadent mushroom gravy!

Photo Credit: www.thismamacooks.com

The Best Slow Cooker Venison Stew Recipe

Tired of making the same deer stew crock pot recipe? Then you've got to try this slow cooker venison stew that's seasoned with juniper berries, cloves, allspice, and nutmeg.

Photo Credit: www.thismamacooks.com

Easy Slow Cooker Venison Stew Recipe

This slow cooker venison stew recipe is the best way to cook up venison stew meat or venison roasts. You'll love how deliciously tender the meat cooks up in your crockpot!


Other Venison Recipes

Recipes including tenderloin, steaks and stew meat. Venison can be used in so many other ways, following are some examples:

Instant Pot Venison Stew

A quick and easy, yet totally comforting meal - this instant pot venison stew is perfect for those looking for a quick meal that is hearty and filling.

Photo Credit: thecaglediaries.com

Smoked Venison Backstrap

Delicious and super easy to prepare smoked venison backstrap is always a treat for us, cooking low and slow makes it perfect!

Slow Cooker Venison Roast with Red Wine

This delicious slow cooker venison roast with red wine is cooked low and slow and gives the most tender roast with a great gravy.

Photo Credit: outgrilling.com

Grilled Venison Steak Recipe {Juicy & Delicious}

I have to say grilling venison is the only way to go. It turns out so much more tender, juicy and delicious. Plus, you are going to love the toasted garlic butter seasoning!

Photo Credit: www.krumpli.co.uk

Venison Ragu Rich, Dark & Delicious

Venison ragu, a rich and thick meat sauce featuring bacon, red wine and juniper, perfect classic flavors with deer meat. It is fantastic served with thick ribbons of pasta, spooned over a cheesy polenta or even sat on top of a baked potato.

Photo Credit: stefseatsandsweets.com

Mike’s Smoked Jerky

Photo Credit: frommichigantothetable.com

Grilled Venison & Chicken Kabobs

Photo Credit: frommichigantothetable.com

Venison Tips and Noodles

This Venison Tips and Noodles recipe is for all of the hunters out there. I developed this creamy venison recipe for my family as a different meal option than my normal venison dishes. As a result, they love it and request it often!! 

Photo Credit: whereismyspoon.co

Venison Bone Broth

Venison bone broth made with deer bones, a delicious base for making soups, stews or sauces. Easy to make on the stovetop or in a crockpot.


More Dinner

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  • Red Beans and Rice with Ham Hocks
  • Redfish Tacos
  • Big Mac Casserole

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I'm Melanie, I am mom to two beautiful children and married to James - my American sweetheart (I'm British).  A transplant in Houma, South Louisiana I have found a love for all Cajun and Creole food.
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