15 Best Venison Recipes (Classics & Treats)

If you’re tired of eating beef, venison is the perfect replacement. It’s full of protein and it’s low in fat. But, the trick is knowing how to cook venison properly.

I’ve been on a carnivore diet for over a decade, and I’ve been cooking venison meat for most of that time.

I’ve perfected several venison recipes, and today I’ll give you my recipes on venison classics such as venison burger and stroganoff, but I’ll also include some treats such as lasagna and ground venison tacos.

15 Best Venison Recipes

Check out the top venison dishes.

1. Venison Stew

Recipe overview:

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Number of Servings: 6 to 8

Ingredients:

• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 lb venison
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cups diced carrots
• 1 cup diced celery
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 4 cups beef or venison stock
• 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 1/2 cups potatoes, diced, with the skin on
• 1 tablespoon Worchestershire sauce

Instructions:

1. Dice the venison. Remove all sinew tissue while dicing, or your meat will be tough. You should have bite-sized chunks.
2. Add olive oil to a pot and heat on medium-high heat.
3. Once the oil is hot, place the venison, and saute for up to 7 minutes. The edges should turn brown. Then remove the venison from the pot.
4. Turn down the heat to medium.
5. Add vegetables (potatoes, carrots, onion, and celery). Saute vegetables for up to 10 minutes until they soften.
6. Add garlic, salt, and pepper, and cook for about a minute.
7. Add tomatoes, broth, and Worcestershire sauce.
8. Put venison back in the pot. Stir everything and bring it to a boil.
9. Once the food is boiling, turn the heat to low, cover the pot, and let simmer for 1 hour until the venison meat is tender.
10. Serve while hot.

2. Venison Steak

Recipe overview: 

• Prep Time: 10 minutes and 3 hours for the marinade
• Cook Time: 14 minutes
• Total Time: 24 minutes and 3 hours for the marinade
• Number of Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lbs of venison steak, 1 in thick
• 1/2 cup marinade of your choice
• Salt and pepper
• Lemon for serving (optional)

Instructions:

1. Place the steaks in the bowl with a lid or a zip-top bag. Pour the marinade over the steaks until they are completely coated, and let it marinate for 3 hours in the fridge.
2. When you want to cook, take the venison steaks out of the fridge, let it come to room temperature, and pat dry.
3. Season the meat with salt and pepper.
4. Preheat the grill or a seasoned cast-iron pan on medium-high.
5. Put the steaks on the grill or the pan and cook for up to 7 minutes per side. Remove the steaks once they reach 145 degrees [1].
6. Once the meat is done cooking, remove it from heat and let rest for about 10 minutes.
7. Season with more salt if desired and a squeeze of lemon.

3. Venison Sausage Gravy

Recipe overview: 

• Prep Time: 0 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Number of Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• Salt
• 2 cups milk
• Black pepper
• 1 oz ground venison breakfast sausage
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons flour

Instructions:

1. Take out a large skillet and put the ground venison sausage in it.
2. Cook the venison sausage on medium heat until it’s completely cooked.
3. Melt the butter in the microwave. Add the flour and stir to make a roux.
4. Once the sausage is done cooking, add the roux and stir.
5. Add milk while stirring all the time.
6. Lower the heat to medium-low and continue to stir frequently.
7. When done cooking, season with salt and pepper and serve straight away.

4. Venison Roast

Recipe overview:

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 to 8 hours
• Total Time: 10 minutes and 5 to 8 hours
• Number of Servings: 8

Ingredients:

• Salt and pepper
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup mushrooms
• 3 to 4 oz venison roast
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons onion powder
• 2 cans of cream mushroom soup
• 5 tablespoons dry onion mix soup

Instructions:

1. Take out a large slow cooker, and spray it with vegetable oil.
2. Add the soups, broth, garlic, and onion powders and whisk until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, and add mushrooms.
3. Put the venison roast into the slow cooker and cook on high setting for 5 hours, or 8 hours on low setting if your venison roast is frozen.
4. Serve the venison roast with rice, mashed potatoes, and bread.

5. Venison Burgers

Recipe overview:

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Number of Servings: 4 to 6

Ingredients:

• 5 slices of bacon
• 1 oz ground venison
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
• 1/2 cup cheese

Instructions:

1. Start up your grill, and pre-heat to 350 degrees with the lid closed.
2. Put the bacon on the grill grate and cook for 15 minutes. The fat should completely render, and the bacon should be crispy. Then remove it from the grill and let it cool. After the bacon cools, break it into pieces.
3. Mix together ground meat, BBQ sauce, bacon pieces, and cheddar cheese, and press into burger patties.
4. Put the patties on the grill and cook until the internal temperature is 165 degrees. Flip the patties halfway through.
5. When venison burgers are done, put them in the bun and top with your preferred toppings.

6. Ground Venison Tacos

Recipe overview:

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Number of Servings: 4 to 6

Ingredients:

• 1 lime juice
• 1 orange juice
• 1 onion, diced
• A little water
• Salt and pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 lb ground venison
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions:

1. Heat a large pan on medium heat.
2. Add oil to the pan. Once it’s hot, add onion and saute for about 4 minutes.
3. Add ground venison and cool for up to 8 minutes until it becomes brown.
4. Add garlic, cumin, salt, pepper, and chili powder and cook for 2 minutes.
5. Deglaze the pan with orange and lime juices and apple cider vinegar.
6. Add water and turn the heat to medium-low.
7. Let the meat simmer for up to 10 minutes.
8. Serve the meat in taco shells with nachos, lettuce, or quesadillas.

7. Venison Chili

Recipe overview:

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour and 25 minutes
• Number of Servings: 8

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 cup yellow onion
• 1 oz ground venison
• 2 tablespoons chili
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 oz tomato paste
• 15.5 oz kidney beans
• 15 oz tomato sauce
• 1 cup beef broth
• 15.5 oz diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced or crushed

Instructions:

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil on medium-high heat. Add yellow onion and saute for up to 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and saute for one more minute.
2. Add ground meat to the onion and garlic. Break up the meat as it cooks, and cook until there aren’t any signs of pink coloring, for about 6 minutes.
3. Add the chili seasoning and salt and stir. Then add diced tomatoes, kidney beans, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and beef broth and simmer until the venison chili thickens. Bring the venison chili to a boil and lower the heat to low. Simmer the venison chili on low for an hour. Stir every 10 minutes.
4. Remove the venison chili from heat and serve right away.

8. Venison Goulash

Recipe overview:

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Number of Servings: 6

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cup macaroni
• 5 oz tomato paste
• 5 oz cheddar cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 ½ oz ground venison
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
• 1/2 white onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Instructions:

1. Boil the macaroni, drain and set aside.
2. Add olive oil to a skillet and heat on medium-high heat. Add the meat, garlic, and onion, and cook until there’s no grease left to drain in the venison goulash.
3. Add the other ingredients and macaroni, apart from cheese. Stir everything. Bring to a boil, cover, turn the heat low, and simmer for about 15 minutes.
4. Remove the lid, stir in the cheese and serve venison goulash.

9. Venison Meatloaf

Recipe overview:

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour and 25 minutes
• Number of Servings: 6

Ingredients:

• Salt
• Pepper
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2/3 cups onion
• 2 oz ground venison
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 beaten eggs
• 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon mustard
• Half a tablespoon paprika
• 2 tablespoons  Worcestershire sauce
• Half a tablespoon garlic powder

Meatloaf Glaze ingredients:

• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Divide venison into small pieces. Put in a bowl, and place the breadcrumbs on top.
3. Take out another bowl, and combine the rest of the meatloaf ingredients.
4. Put the liquid mixture into the venison bowl and mix to combine.
5. Mix all the glaze ingredients and put half onto the bottom of a loaf pan. Then put the meatloaf into the pan and the rest of the glaze on top.
6. Bake the meatloaf for 75 minutes.
7. Let the classic meatloaf rest before serving.

10. Venison Lasagna

Recipe overview:

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Total Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes
• Number of Servings: 8

Ingredients:

• 1 oz ground pork 
• 2 oz ground venison
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 garlic, chopped
• 1 can of crushed tomatoes
• 1 can of tomato sauce
• 1 can of tomato paste
• 1  cup red wine
• 1/4 cup basil leaves
• 2 tablespoons oregano
• 15 oz ricotta cheese
• 1 oz mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup parsley leaves
• 12 lasagna noodles
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Brown the meat in a pot. If necessary, do it in batches. Add onion to the meat and cook for about 6 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 3 more minutes. Add the basil and oregano.
2. Mix wine and tomato paste in a bowl and pour into the pot with the meat. Let it boil, and stir often. Then add tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes and mix until it simmers. Cook venison lasagna for 1 to 2 hours.
3. Place the noodles in hot water for up to 20 minutes.
4. Mix ricotta cheese, grated parmesan, and shredded mozzarella. 
5. Spread a third of the meat sauce on the bottom of a casserole pan. Then place half the lasagna noodles in the meat sauce. Spread half the cheese mixture next. Add another layer of meat sauce and the rest of the noodles and cheese mixture. Put the remaining meat sauce on top.
6. Cover lasagna with foil and bake for 25 minutes, then take off the foil and cook for another 25 minutes.
7. Let it rest for 10 minutes, then serve.

11. Chicken Fried Venison

Recipe overview:

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Number of Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 1 oz venison steak
• 1 teaspoon garlic
• 1 teaspoon parsley
• 1 cup corn flake crumbs
• Half a teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Half a teaspoon onion powder

Instructions:

1. Whisk eggs in one bowl, and combine the rest of the ingredients except for venison in another bowl.
2. Dip the steaks into eggs.
3. Coat the steaks with the cornflake mix.
4. Add oil to a pan and heat on medium-high, then add venison and dry until it turns golden brown on both sides. The internal temperature should be 125 degrees.
5. Serve chicken-fried venison with gravy.

12. Venison Jerky

Recipe overview:

• Prep Time 10 minutes and overnight to marinate
• Cook Time 6 to 8 hours
• Total Time 6 to 8 hours, 10 minutes, and overnight marinade
• Number of Servings 4

Ingredients:

• Salt
• Pepper
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 oz venison roast
• 1/4 teaspoon onion salt
• 1/4 cup  Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients apart from venison in a releasable bag.
2. Slice venison into long strips, about 1 in wide. Add the strips to the bag and seal it. Leave it to marinate in the fridge overnight. Knead occasionally so the marinade is evenly distributed.
3. Preheat the oven to 160 degrees.
4. Take out the venison from the marinade and place it in one layer on a wire rack in the oven for 6 to 8 hours or until it reaches your desired texture.

13. Venison Swedish Meatballs

Recipe overview:

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Number of Servings: 12

Ingredients:

• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 oz venison
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 cup bread, in crumbs
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 3 tablespoons oil
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 oz venison stock
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

Instructions:

1. Mix milk and breadcrumbs in a bowl.
2. Mix venison, salt, and egg, and add the milk-bread mix to another bowl.
3. Crumble the meat with your hands, and add the rest of the ingredients. Make tablespoon-sized balls, and put them on a tray.
4. Heat a skillet with oil on medium-high heat and add the meatballs. Make sure not to overcrowd. Cook for 3 minutes and remove the meatballs on a paper-lined plate.
5. Drain the oil from the skillet and leave the browned bits on the bottom. Add the butter and let it melt, then add the flour and cook for a minute. Add the stock and let it simmer until it thickens. Add heavy cream and cook for a minute until well blended. Serve Swedish meatballs immediately.

14. Venison Stroganoff

Recipe overview:

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Number of Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 8 oz beer
• 1 white onion
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 8 oz mushrooms
• 8 oz sour cream
• 8 oz heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons garlic
• 2 oz ground venison
• 2 tablespoons starch, ground
• 2 tablespoons corn starch 
• 16 oz stock (beef or venison)

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a skillet. Add mushrooms and season with salt. Cook for 6 minutes, then remove the mushrooms from the pan.
2. Add 2 tablespoons of oil and add onion. Cook for 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for one minute. Add venison and cook for 10 minutes.
3. Put cornstarch over the meat. Stir to make sure there aren’t any chunks. Deglaze the meat with beer, and scrape the browned bits.
4. Add stock, and let it boil, then lower the heat to simmer. Stir until the liquid reduces to half.
5. Add the creams and mushrooms and cook until it becomes thick.
6. Serve with egg noodles.

15. Bacon-Wrapped Venison Backstrap

Recipe overview:

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Number of Servings: 8

Ingredients:

• Salt
• Pepper
• 1 cup milk
• 4 garlic cloves
• Venison loin backstrap
• A few black peppercorns
• 1 bunch rosemary
• 8 oz raspberry sauce
• 16 oz applewood bacon

Instructions:

1. Cut venison loin in half and remove silver skin. Put it into a bowl with milk, garlic, peppercorns, and rosemary, and leave it in the fridge overnight.
2. Pat the venison with paper towels.
3. Put bacon on a cutting board. You should have two bacon sheets. Put venison in bacon. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Put a skillet on medium-high heat and pour olive oil. Place the venison and sear for 5 minutes per side until the bacon turns crispy.
5. Let the venison rest for 3 minutes, then slice into medallions and serve with raspberry sauce. You can serve it with store-bought or homemade raspberry sauce.

Related Articles:

• How to Cook Venison?
• How to Cook Game Meat?
• What Is the Best Way to Cook Meat?

FAQs

Best Venison Recipes: Final Thoughts

No matter which of these you choose, you’re in for a delicious recipe. There are many different ways to cook venison, but the main thing is to make sure not to dry it out.

Follow the steps I’ve outlined in each recipe, or add pork fat if you fear the meat is drying out when slow cooking.

The most important thing for all venison dinner recipes is high-quality venison meat. Check out our round-up of the six best wild game meat delivery services and add diversity to the meat you cook in no time.

These companies pay close attention to sustainability and nurture best practices that guarantee the quality of the mat that’s delivered to your doorstep.

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References:

1. https://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.cce.cornell.edu/attachments/19032/Game