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My husband’s been a hunter for as long as I’ve known him, which means I’ve been cooking wild game for just as long.
Over the years I’ve learned that venison isn’t anything to be nervous about. It’s lean, full of flavor, and with the right recipe it turns into some of the coziest, most satisfying dinners we make.
This is my full collection of venison recipes, the one I reach for whenever the freezer’s full and I need a little inspiration.
You’ll find nearly 50 recipes below, everything from a perfectly seared backstrap to weeknight sloppy joes. There are plenty of elk and moose dishes too, since they cook up beautifully the same way.
Whether you’re brand new to wild game or just tired of making the same thing every week, there’s a new go-to dinner waiting for you here.
Venison is a lean meat, and that’s really the one thing you need to understand to cook it well. With so little fat, it can dry out quickly if you treat it like beef, so a few small adjustments make all the difference.
For tender cuts like backstrap, tenderloin, and steaks, cook them hot and fast and keep them on the rare side. I pull mine at 130 to 135 degrees for a rosy medium-rare, then let them rest.
If you’d rather follow the USDA’s guidance, that’s 145 degrees for whole cuts and 160 degrees for anything ground.
Tougher cuts like roasts, ribs, and shanks are the opposite. They love time, so braise them low and slow in a Dutch oven until they’re fork-tender and falling apart.
As for that stronger “gamey” flavor, a good soak helps. I like to soak my venison in buttermilk or a simple saltwater brine before cooking to mellow it right out.
Start with a recipe written for venison and you really can’t go wrong.
Venison Backstrap & Tenderloin Recipes
The backstrap and tenderloin are the crown jewels of any deer. These are the tender, quick-cooking cuts, so they shine with a hot sear and a rosy middle.
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Venison Backstrap Recipe
This venison backstrap is packed with flavor and comes out perfectly tender every time. It’s a meal you’ll want to make again and again!
Ready to take your dinners to the next level? This fast and easy recipe only requires a handful of ingredients, so you can spend less time cooking and more time eating.
This venison tenderloin recipe is simple, unique, and absolutely delicious. With a flavorful dry rub and a buttery sear, it’s a wild game favorite you’ll keep coming back to.
These pan-seared venison medallions are marinated and then cooked to perfection on the stovetop while basting in butter for a melt-in-your-mouth flavor!
If you have never tasted elk meat, you are in for a real treat. This is one of my favorite elk tenderloin recipes with savory flavor combinations that is tender and juicy.
From cube steak to a garlic butter sirloin, here are my favorite ways to cook a venison steak, plus a few elk and moose steaks that come together the very same way.
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Venison Steak
This juicy venison steak is perfectly marinaded in our own homemade marinade and seared to crispy perfection in a cast iron skillet!
This venison cube steak recipe is tender, juicy, and full of flavor! It comes together quickly and makes a delicious main dish for any easy meal. Serve it with optional gravy and your favorite side dishes!
These garlic butter venison sirloins are juicy, tender, and full of flavor! Topped with homemade herb garlic butter and pan-seared to perfection, you are going to love these venison steaks.
This is my husband's favorite chicken-fried venison! We make it together all the time, and it just turns out perfectly tender with a thick, crispy crust every time!
Garlic ginger venison is an easy protein that satisfies every time! Crisp venison steak strips tossed in a sticky garlic ginger sauce offer a flavor explosion of sweet, spicy, and umami in one delicious package.
Seared steak is among the best meats to cook on the stove. It's slightly fatty, tender, and with just a few ingredients, it's incredibly simple to make.
Craving something hearty and full of flavor? Try this Slow-Cooker Venison Roast! Tender venison, savory broth, and seasoned vegetables combine for a comforting dish that practically cooks itself in your slow cooker.
Looking to satisfy your barbecue cravings without the hassle of firing up the pit? Look no further than pulled venison sandwiches, perfect for any occasion! With tender meat that easily falls apart, smothered in homemade, tangy barbecue sauce, this dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Plus, with the added bonus of being made in a Dutch oven, it's a hassle-free meal that you can enjoy any time. So sit back, relax, and let the savory aroma of this delicious pulled venison sandwich recipe fill your kitchen.
Braising your venison ribs makes them fall-off-the-bone tender and supremely flavorful! Try these braised venison ribs for an entrée that's easy to make and satisfies every time.
There's no better way to impress dinner guests than serving up a delicious roast elk, and there's no better way to make it even more decadent than by wrapping it in bacon.
Fast, flavorful, and family-approved! These Ground Venison Tacos come together in under 30 minutes, making them an easy go-to for busy weeknights. Who's ready to dig in?
This simple yet flavorful venison meatloaf is a perfect blend of tender venison, savory sausage, and aromatic spices, topped with a sweet and tangy barbecue glaze.
I didn't think enchiladas could get any better, until I tried them with venison! These venison enchiladas are cheesy, flavorful, and an easy make-ahead meal. Enjoy!
Looking for a hearty meal the whole family will love? Look no further than our loaded meatloaf casserole! Bursting with savory flavors and topped with baked potatoes, gooey cheese, and crispy bacon, this recipe is sure to satisfy even the pickiest eaters. Plus, it's a great way to use up leftovers and get a good dose of protein.
When the weather turns cold, these are the pots that simmer on my stove. A venison stew or chili is about as comforting as dinner gets.
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Venison Stew Recipe
Tired of the same old winter dishes? Try this warming Venison Stew recipe! Packed with delicious flavors and easy-to-follow steps, it's sure to become a winter favorite.
Warm, rich, and full of bold flavors, this venison goulash brings a taste of tradition to your table. Slow-cooked to perfection, it’s a comforting stew that’s perfect for any occasion.
This hearty and flavorful ground moose stew will warm you right up on a cold day. Prepared with tender chunks of potatoes, carrots, and onions and simmered to perfection in a rich tomato sauce, this dish will quickly become a family favorite.
Great for chilly nights, this cozy venison lasagna is the ultimate comfort meal! A mixture of ground venison and Italian sausage pairs perfectly with a rich cheese mixture and flavorful tomato sauce for the perfect baked pasta dish.
This one-pan meal will delight the entire family, and it's so easy to make! This venison fried rice is chock-full of flavor and loaded with ground venison and veggies.
We love elk meat, and a new recipe I’ve been making regularly is elk steak stroganoff. This recipe is super easy to make and the elk steak meat is so tender. Not to mention the rich incredible flavors of the creamy mushroom sauce we make for this stroganoff recipe is second to none.
Enjoy a creamy and delicious comfort meal made with fresh wild game! This venison Salisbury steak is an easy 30-minute meal that satisfies every time. It's savory, rich, and flavorful — it just might become your new family favorite.
Made a big roast and have meat to use up? I gathered my best ways to turn cooked venison into a whole new dinner in one place: leftover venison recipes.
What to Serve With Venison
A good venison dinner deserves the right sides. Here are my go-to side dishes for venison, from cozy vegetables to skillet cornbread.
Venison Recipe FAQs
What goes well with venison?
I love this question! In fact, I get it so often, I created a post with my favorite side dishes for venison. Check it out for lots of ideas and recipes.
Can you use venison in place of beef?
Yes, in most cases, venison can be used instead of beef in your favorite recipes. However, venison is a lot leaner than beef, so it can get dry quite easily. It’s usually a good idea to use a recipe that was specifically made with venison in mind, at least until you get comfortable cooking with it.
Does venison taste like beef?
While they are both red meats and have a lot of similarities, venison has a different flavor from beef. Venison is a lot richer, leaner, and has more of an earthy, “gamey” flavor than beef. This is largely because of the wild forage deer eat, differing from the grass, hay, and grains that cattle eat. The flavor of venison varies depending on where it’s sourced from. If you’re new to venison, I recommend choosing a recipe that sounds good and giving it a try! I bet you’ll be surprised just how much you like it.
What’s the best way to cook venison?
That depends on the cut, but slow-cooking is always a great choice for a lean meat like venison. I love making roasts, pulled venison, and stew for a hassle-free recipe that yields beautiful, fall-apart tender venison.
What do you soak venison in before cooking?
To mellow that stronger wild flavor, I soak mine for a few hours or overnight. Buttermilk is my favorite, but a simple saltwater brine (about a quarter cup of salt to four cups of water) works too.
What temperature should venison be cooked to?
For tender cuts like backstrap and steaks, I pull them at 130 to 135 degrees for medium-rare, then let them rest. If you’d rather follow the USDA’s guidance, that’s 145 degrees for whole cuts and 160 degrees for anything ground.
What seasonings go best with venison?
Venison loves bold, savory flavors like garlic, rosemary, thyme, black pepper, and a good sear in butter. For ground venison, anything you’d use with beef works beautifully.
