Simple & Satisfying Venison Recipes for Hunters
Everybody saw how big your venison haul was last weekend, now it’s time to show them what you can do with all that meat. Your hunting buddies aren’t going to know what just hit them when they taste your home-cooked venison. The best part? These recipes are as simple as they are satisfying. But, don’t forget about your favorite hunting dog. They deserve something delicious, too. Fill up their bowl with their favorite Sportsman’s Pride recipe.
Enough talk, let’s eat!
Photo by Holley A. Heyser
All-American Burger
Forget thin fast-food burgers, we’re cooking up thick and hearty venison burgers. Follow along with these simple steps, and you’ll be a grill master in no-time.
Prep Time: 30 Minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
• 1 & ½ lbs venison
• ½ lbs bacon - roughly diced
• Salt
• Pepper
•. 3 tbsp butter
Pro Tip: You can substitute lard or vegetable oil for butter if you prefer.
• 1 large onions - thinly cut
• 4 burger buns
• Lettuce
• Tomato
• Cheese slices of your choosing
• Condiments of your choosing
Instructions
1. Grind your venison and your bacon together in a meat grinder for the proper meat to fat ratio.
Pro Tip: Grind ⅔ of the mixture finely and ⅓ of the mixture coarsely. Finely ground meat will make your grilled burgers juicer.
2. Pat out between 4-6 1 inch thick patties.
Pro Tip: Press your thumb into the center of each patty. This indentation will prevent your burgers from turning spherical once you grill them.
3. Place your butter (or butter substitute) in your frying pan and turn it up to medium-high heat. Once warmed, add in your sliced onion. Cook until your liking and set aside.
4. Turn your grill up to a high heat. Sprinkle salt and pepper over your patties. Then, place your patties on the grill, leaving it open. Flip your burgers after 3-5 minutes, then repeat on the other side.
5. While still on the grill, begin to prepare your burger. Place your caramelized onion and cheese on top. Allow the cheese to melt before taking the burgers off the grill.
Pro Tip: If you enjoy toasted burger buns, try toasting them on the grill while your cheese is melting.
6. Remove your burgers from the grill. Add your lettuce, tomato, and any other toppings or condiments of your choosing. Enjoy!
Photo courtesy of All Recipes
2) Venison & Blackberry Wine Sauce
You’re going to leave your dinner guests speechless with this recipe. This venison & Blackberry Wine Sauce recipe is easier to make than it sounds, not to mention it’s plate-licking good!
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
2 tbsp shallot - finely chopped
1 tsp minced garlic
3 tbsp blackberry jam
1 cup red wine
1 cup beef stock
1 tbsp butter
Salt
Pepper
4 (1/2 pound) venison steaks
12 blackberries
Instructions
1. Heat your saucepan to a medium-high heat. Place your shallots, garlic, blackberry jam, and red wine into your pan. Simmer for 15 minutes.
Pro Tip: After simmering for 15 minutes, the liquid in the saucepan should be reduced to ½ cup. This is how you know you are done simmering.
2. Use a fine mesh sieve to strain the liquid. Set it aside.
3. In a clean pan, heat your beef broth to a medium-high heat for 15-20 minutes.
4. Use a whisk to mix the two sauces together. Stir in the butter. Then, sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
Pro Tip: If the sauce is too thin, try adding 1 tsp cornstarch in 1 tbsp of wine into the mixture. Then, stir into sauce and bring to a boil.
5. In a separate pan, cook your venison steaks for 3-4 minutes on each side at medium-high heat.When done, the steaks should be hot and slightly pink in the center and at least 145°.
6. Plate your steaks and drizzle your sauce on top. Add a handful of fresh blackberries. Enjoy!
Photo courtesy of Napoleon
3) Smoked Venison Jerky
We all know that venison jerky is the perfect snack to grab before heading out for a hunt. This smoked venison jerky recipe is the perfect blend of savory and spicy. Is your mouth watering yet?
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Servings: 30 pc
Ingredients
1 venison roast (At least 2 lbs.)
4 tbsp soy sauce
4 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp brown sugar
¼ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp onion powder
¼ tsp barbecue seasoning of your choice.
Hot sauce of your choice
Salt
Pepper
Instructions
1. This recipe calls for nearly frozen venison. Your meat should be firm, but easily bent.
2. Cut your venison meat into ⅛-inch thick slices
3. Whisk together the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, garlic power, onion powder, BBQ seasoning, Hot sauce, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
4. Using a large resealable bag, combine your marinade and your meat. Place in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
5. Once your meat has marinated for 24 hours, heat your smoker to 200°F.
6. Place your meat on the uppermost rack of the smoker. Add in some wood chips and smoke the venison for 10-15 minutes.
7. At the halfway mark, flip your venison over. Continue to smoke the meat for an additional 5-15 minutes, or until it is fully dehydrated. Enjoy!
