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 recipes!
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 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 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
- Smoked Venison Backstrap
- 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.
Try this heart warming chili, made in the classic way, much leaner though using venison ground meat.
Hearty venison chili is spiced up with smoky flavors that make a cozy, comforting meal.
Comforting Venison Chili is easily done using a stovetop or your trusty slow cooker.
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.
Delicious spaghetti and meatballs will become another favorite in your home, using a mixture of venison ground meat and italian sausage.
These ground venison tacos are incredibly delicious and lean especially when paired with a simple red wine vinaigrette slaw.
Venison Snack Sticks are the perfect on the go snack and we love how simple and delicious this recipe turned out.
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.
These meat hand pies are comfort food at its finest. Flakey crust, meat potatoes and vegetables in one hand held pie.
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.
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!
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!
Make mouthwatering, juicy Venison Burgers without any added fat! These lean delicious venison burgers are ready in less than a half hour.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Make a tender venison roast on the slow cooker with a decadent mushroom gravy!
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.
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:
Delicious and super easy to prepare smoked venison backstrap is always a treat for us, cooking low and slow makes it perfect!
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!
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.
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!!
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.
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