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Home » Dinner Recipes

27 Insanely Popular Venison Dishes

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

Published: Jan 17, 2024 · Modified: Sep 21, 2024 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!

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

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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!

What is Venison?

Originally it was meant to include all wild 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!

smoked venison backstrap sliced on a board
Smoked Venison Backstrap

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 dishes 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
  • Other Ground Venison Recipes
  • Venison Stews and Roasts
  • Other Venison Recipes
  • 💬 Comments

Classic Venison Chili Recipes

1
bowl of deer chili with avocado, sour cream, cheese and chips on top. A spoon is digging in.
thecaglediaries.com
Deer Chili Recipe
Try this heart warming chili, made in the classic way, much leaner though using venison ground meat.
Check out this recipe
2
www.midwexican.com
Spicy Venison Chili
Hearty venison chili is spiced up with smoky flavors that make a cozy, comforting meal.
Check out this recipe
3
lowcarbyum.com
Venison Chili - Stovetop or Slow Cooker Recipe
Comforting Venison Chili is easily done using a stovetop or your trusty slow cooker.
Check out this recipe
4
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.
Check out this recipe

Other Ground Venison Recipes

5
a plate of spaghetti with four meatballs on top - a crock pot in the back
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.
Check out this recipe
6
a blue plate of tacos that use deer meat, lettuce sprinkled on top
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.
Check out this recipe
7
plate full of deer snack sticks
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.
Check out this recipe
8
a delicious hamburger made from venison meat with peaches on top with a seeded bun
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.
Check out this recipe
9
a pastie cut in half, showing the meat and veggies inside
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.
Check out this recipe
10
meatballs made from venison meat with a creamy sauce
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.
Check out this recipe
11
a skillet with dirty rice made from venison and cauliflower and green onions sprinkled on top
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!
Check out this recipe
12
spoon full of meaty pinto beans
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!
Check out this recipe
13
a tall burger with lettuce on the bottom a venison burger sitting on top with a slice of cheese and tomato, inside a bun
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.
Check out this recipe
14
cast iron pot of baked beans with bacon
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.
Check out this recipe

Venison Stews and Roasts

15
An instant pot venison stew with a spoon digging in.
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.
Check out this recipe
16
Slow cooker venison roast with red wine and carrots and potatoes.
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.
Get the Recipe
17
bowl of venison roast with potatoes and carrots. Serving spoons sitting in the bowl.
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.
Check out this recipe
18
a balti dish with venison and bean stew
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.
Check out this recipe
19
a slow cooker filled with venison stew with carrots and potatoes
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.
Check out this recipe
20
bowl with venison stew sitting on top of mashed potatoes with carrots
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.
Check out this recipe
21
slow cooker with venison roast and mushrooms
www.themagicalslowcooker.com
Slow Cooker Venison Roast with Mushroom Gravy
Make a tender venison roast on the slow cooker with a decadent mushroom gravy!
Check out this recipe
22
bowl with a handle showing venison stew piled up to the top
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.
Check out this recipe
23
slow cooker venison stew with potatoes and carrots. Bread in the background with mayonnaise
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!
Check out this recipe

Other Venison Recipes

24
An instant pot venison stew with a spoon digging in.
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.
Get the Recipe
25
smoked venison backstrap sliced on a board
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!
Get Recipe
26
A scoop of venison lasagna being lifted out of the dish.
Hearty Venison Lasagna
Discover the rich, savory flavor of venison lasagna! This easy recipe combines tender meat, cheesy layers, and a hearty sauce—perfect for dinner tonight!
Check out this recipe
27
Slow cooker venison roast with red wine and carrots and potatoes.
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.
Check out this recipe
28
venison steak sliced and ready for eating
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!
Check out this recipe
29
bowl of egg noddles with venison meat scattered
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.
Check out this recipe
30
tall glasses with sticks of venison jerky standing
stefseatsandsweets.com
Mike’s Smoked Jerky
Check out this recipe
31
venison and chicken on a skewer on the barbecue pit
frommichigantothetable.com
Grilled Venison & Chicken Kabobs
Check out this recipe
32
egg noodles with venison and mushrooms
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!!
Check out this recipe
33
jars filled with venison broth
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.
Check out this recipe

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Momma Cagle!

Picture of Melanie Cagle standing in front of her stove, in the kitchen.

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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