19 Ground Venison Recipes | What to Make with Your Deer Meat (2024)

Here’s what to make if you have an abundance of deer meat (or elk, antelope, moose) in your freezer. You’ll love these ground venison recipes!

19 Ground Venison Recipes | What to Make with Your Deer Meat (1)

Ah, ground venison recipes. If there’s one thing every hunter has after a harvest its ground venison, or “deer hamburger” as my husband would say. I’m curious, do you call ground meat “ground (whatever meat it is)” or “hamburger”?Anyway.

So, you have a bunch of ground deer meat (or elk, antelope, moose) on hand. And I’m here to give you some inspiration for what to do with it! The same old recipes your grandmother made can feel tired and dowdy and I know I even need to check this list to refresh my meal rotation. And as much as well all lovevenison stew, fresh ideas are always needed! This a list of my tried and true (and healthy) ground venison recipe dish ideas and resources!

But what about the gamey taste? How do you get the gamey taste out of ground venison?

The thing I want you to know is that if you follow any of these recipes, you won’t have any of that “gamey” flavor some people complain about. Yes, venison tastes differently than beef. And especially if the meat your eating is from a large, trophy buck in rut, the meat will have a stronger flavor if you’re used to commercially purchased meats. But, if you prepare venison correctly it is delicious.

How do you make venison ground meat taste good?

The thing to do with venison is to prepare it properly. That means proper seasoning, adding some sort of acidic component AND if you’re making a burger, don’t cook it so that resembles a hockey puck. Stick to the recipes and you’ll learn a few tips and tricks that will have you clearing out that freezer in NO time!

Can I substitute ground venison for ground beef?

Here’s why I don’t recommend directly subbing venison for ground beef: you’re wanting it to taste like beef! If you use a recipe you’re familiar with and sub venison, you will notice a difference. Venison and beef aren’t the same, deer are different animals than cows. Som folks are OK with this, but when someone tells me they don’t like deer meat, it’s probably because they’re using dated or beef specific recipes.

What should I mix with ground venison? Adding fat:

People always ask me – “Allie, do you cut your deer meat with fat or anything else?”. My answer: yes! I usually cut my deer meat with about 10% beef or pork fat. It really depends on your animal. If you have a particularly plump deer you’re processing, use all deer and see what you think. But I’m not ashamed to admit that I do use other animal fats in my meat.

Want more recipe ideas, tips and tricks? Go grab a copy of my cookbookVenison Every Day! There are SO many recipes that use ground venison, like sausage gravy, Asian chop salad, and pasta fagioli.

Award-Winning Venison Chili

My award winning venison chili formula guaranteed to win that church cook-off. This hearty venison chili recipe is viral for a reason! You can do this in the slow cooker, just reduce the liquid quantity by half.

Venison Bolognese

This is a classic, easy to pull together meat sauce that’s perfect for pasta night. Make a double batch and freeze half!

Crazy Good Ground Venison Tacos

Fresh citrus and classic tacos seasoning flavors bring these viral venison tacos together. If you’re searching “What spices cover gamey taste?”, you HAVE to check this recipe out. They spices don’t really cover the flavor, but they enhance the natural deliciousness and are balanced out with the addition of lime and orange.

Classic Venison Meatloaf

An updated & fresh take on meatloaf -with wild game! It comes out of the oven so tender and juicy!

Venison Enchiladas

My FAVORITE for Mexican night! Make some guac and get out your favorite toppings. Another one that freezes well, see post for directions.

Egg Roll In A Bowl

A quick and healthy weeknight meal idea with TONS of flavor. Totally healthy & meal prep friendly!

Perfect Venison Burgers

Wondering – “How do you make deer meat taste like hamburger?” Check out this post! These burgers are exactly as the post reads. Perfect, juicy burgers! I’ve got a method and a secret ingredient!

Venison Sloppy Joes

The combination of onion, garlic, and my sweet & savor Sloppy Joe sauce is a match made in heaven for venison meat. Serve in a bun or over potatoes!

Venison Stuffed Peppers

Classic, Italian style stuffed peppers. Comfort food to the MAX.

19 Ground Venison Recipes | What to Make with Your Deer Meat (11)

Venison Pasta Bake

Cheesy & meaty pasta bake that’s majorly toddler approved. Add herbs, spices, salt, and cheese to your liking!

Smoked Venison Meatballs

Smokey, juicy meatballs covered in a sweet and spicy sauce. Great as an appetizer or main!

Healthier Venison Stroganoff

A lightened up version of a classic, hearty meal. Worcestershire sauce is the secret to a savory broth. A fan favorite right here! This dish is insane when paired with egg noodles and fresh cracked black pepper.

Shepherd’s Pie Soup

All of the makings of Shepherd’s Pie…in soup form!

Venison Burrito Bowls

These protein packed, meal prep friendly bowls are one of my favorite weeknight meals. I serve the ground venison seasoned with plenty of spices over rice, beans, sour cream, pico de gallo, cheese and all of the fixings!

Venison Lasagna

Classic lasagna with ground deer meat and a rich, homemade tomato sauce. Layers and layers of flavor with ooey, gooey mozzarella cheese.

Smokey Venison Meatloaf

Classic meatloaf made with venison and kissed with smoke.

Beer Chili

Beer makes the perfect partner for venison in this balanced and flavorful chili. Take it up a notch!

Taco Style Stuffed Peppers

A twist on traditional stuffed peppers. Taco flavors!

Elk Taco Salad (can be made with deer)

Throw all of your favorite taco toppings onto lettuce for a healthy but NOT boring meal with wild game!

Venison Taco Dip

No one will even know this one is deer meat! It’s such a crowd pleasing appetizer.

Venison Meatballs

My tried and true meatball recipe. I always like to have a batch in the freezer!

Whole30 Venison Burgers with Special Sauce

Doing a Whole30 or love paleo recipes? These burgers are juicy and flavorful and they use sweet potato buns!

Ground Venison Recipes From Other Creators I Love

I’m not the onlyvenison recipe creatorin the game, check out these fantastic ideas from friends of mine!

Oklahoma Onion Burgersby Hank Shaw

Crockpot Pinto Beans (with Venison) fromThe Cagle Diaries

Mexican Albondigas En Chipotleby Hank Shaw

Venison Meatballs with Sweet & Sour SaucefromWinding Creek Ranch

British Venison Meatballsby Hank Shaw

Venison Breakfast SausagefromA Ranch Mom

Venison Meat Piesby Hank Shaw

Dirty Cauliflower Rice (with Venison)fromJoy Filled Eats

Venison Potsticker Dumplingsby Hank Shaw

How is venison best served? Try one of these amazing ground venison recipes and see for yourself!

It is such a gift to be able to share these ground venison recipes with all of you! I hope you’ll find a favorite and the next time you ask yourself “What is best to add to ground venison?”…you know where to go!

Want more recipe ideas, tips and tricks? Go grab a copy of my cookbookVenison Every Day! There are SO many recipes that use ground venison, like sausage gravy, Asian chop salad, and pasta fagioli.

This post was published in January 2021 was updated in September 2023.

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19 Ground Venison Recipes | What to Make with Your Deer Meat (2024)

FAQs

What is the best to mix with ground venison? ›

Depending on what you're planning to cook, you may want to add fat to your ground venison. This added fat can be bacon, pork shoulder, pork belly, beef tallow, etc. It's purely personal preference. I always add about 15-20 percent fat if I'm making hamburger or kebabs, which makes the meat juicier and more flavorful.

How do you make ground venison taste better? ›

Beef fat works well with ground venison, and makes the flavor closer to ground beef. Pork fat is lower in saturated fat, has less flavor and will allow the venison flavor to shine.

How should ground venison be cooked? ›

Cook to a minimum of 160 degrees F. When you grind meat, you spread any bacteria present throughout the entire batch.

What can I do with all the deer meat? ›

Deer meat recipes (288)
  1. Red wine braised venison. ...
  2. Venison Cincy Chili. ...
  3. Delicious crock-pot deer meat chili. ...
  4. Easy deer meat crock-pot lasagna. ...
  5. Venison empanadas. ...
  6. Deer meat chili. ...
  7. Venison sweet and spicy jerky. ...
  8. Ground Venison Stew.

What is the best seasoning for venison? ›

Ideal flavours for venison
  • Fruits: quince, cherries, prunes, blackberries, apples.
  • Herbs: thyme, rosemary, bay, sage.
  • Spices: star anise, allspice, black pepper, cloves, juniper.
  • Alcohol: red wine (e.g. Grenache, Zinfandel), cider, ale. Other: chestnuts, celeriac, red cabbage, chocolate, mushroom.
Mar 7, 2016

What is the best fat to add to ground venison? ›

Pork belly has a tendency to overpower the flavor of lean cuts, while fatback compliments them. You can also use beef suet, but the texture and flavor aren't as good as pork. Another option is tallow from wild game, although deer fat is very saturated and waxy.

How do you get the gamey taste out of ground venison without? ›

There are different things you can do to remove the gamey taste. You can soak it in a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water over night in the refrigerator, or soak it in milk and rinse thoroughly before cooking it.

What takes the gamey taste out of venison? ›

Soaking deer meat in milk or a marinade with acidic components like vinegar, wine, or citrus juice helps eliminate the gamey taste. Alternatively, brining the meat in a solution of water, salt, and sugar can also improve its flavor and tenderness.

How do you make venison taste like hamburger? ›

If you grind it yourself, untrimmed pork shoulder ground together with the venison adds just the right amount of fatty flavor. Also, inexpensive bacon ends and pieces taste great when added to a venison burger patty. Carefully trim venison before grinding.

Does venison get more tender the longer it cooks? ›

Large cuts of venison taste best when pot-roasted for several hours. If you have access to a crock pot, use any recipe for beef pot roast and you'll be pleasantly surprised. However, instead of cooking for two to four hours, venison may require substantially longer cooking time for the meat to become tender.

How do you know when ground venison is done? ›

Particularly for medium-rare doneness, venison needs to achieve an internal temperature of 145°F before removing from the heat, whereas ground venison must be cooked at 160°F. Additionally, a casserole dish made from venison including leftover meats must be reheated to 165°F .

Why is my ground venison tough? ›

"Freshly butchered venison — especially when it is in rigor mortis — will be super tough," Cihelka said. When rigor mortis sets in, the animal stiffens. Hanging the animal prevents the muscles along the spine from shortening. This is why backstraps and tenderloin are tender.

What ruins deer meat? ›

Do not leave venison or other wild game in a car trunk where warmer temperatures promote bacterial growth. Use a cooler filled with ice or dry ice to store cut meat. Process venison as soon as possible. Venison will spoil if it hangs without refrigeration in warm weather.

What do you put on deer meat before cooking? ›

You can make a good marinade from a bit of oil, red wine, a bit of vinegar, minced garlic and onion, salt and pepper (that's just one simple idea, there are lots of recipes for marinades). But in general, venison does not need to be soaked before cooking.

Is too much deer meat bad for you? ›

While venison is slightly higher in cholesterol than other types of meat, it's also lower in calories and saturated fat. Therefore, venison can fit into a well-rounded diet — just remember to enjoy it in moderation and pair it with a variety of other nutrient-dense sources of protein.

What pairs well with venison? ›

Step into any restaurant featuring a la chasse-themed menu, and you can expect to find classic pairings such as venison with cranberries, apples, celeriac, butternut squash, brussels sprouts or Belgium endive.

What do you add to deer meat to make hamburger? ›

In a large bowl, gently fold together the ground venison, grated butter, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper with your hands. Be careful not to overmix the ground venison: overworking and compacting the meat will make it tough and dry.

How do you bind ground venison? ›

Add Fat: Since venison is lean, you can add some fat to the mixture to improve moisture and binding. Consider mixing it with pork fat, bacon, or even ground beef. Aim for a ratio of about 80-85% venison to 15-20% fat.

What spices to mix with venison when grinding? ›

It's a mix of onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, ground cumin, powdered oregano. Pretty tasty ! When I grind mine I always add 1 lb of Hickory smoked bacon to 10 lbs of ground venison......

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