Not sure how to best prepare ground venison? Don’t worry! These 21 best ground venison recipes have got you covered!
You probably have many tasty ground beef recipes on your menu rotation. But if you’re not sure what to prepare with your ground venison, then this post will be a lifesaver. Or at least dinner-saver!
Because with these delicious ground venison dishes, there is no room for any guesswork or confusion. Just pure delightfulness with every single bite!
Whether grilled, stewed, or roasted, these twenty-one recipes offer something for every meat lover. I really cannot pick just one favorite! Can you?
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What Does Ground Venison Taste Like?
When talking about the taste of venison, rich and earthy tops the list. When munching on a piece of cooked venison, you can taste hints of sage and other herbs that the deer frequently consume.
However, when working with ground meat, it is much easier to adjust the taste and even make it more beef-like with your favorite spices and seasonings.
And if you’re just getting familiar with cooking with deer, I’d suggest you start with ground-meat recipes so that you can get used to the taste.
How to Cook Ground Venison?
You can cook ground venison just like you would your beef, pork, or poultry. It can be fried, baked, and even shaped into your patties or meatballs and grilled.
You can also use it in chilis, soups, stews, and pretty much any meat-based dish you can think of.
Venison is safe to consume once it reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees F (slightly above 70 C).
The ground kind obviously reaches that temperature much quicker, so you don’t need a meat thermometer with most ground venison recipes.
Easy Ground Venison Recipes
Just getting your toes wet with ground venison? I suggest you start with not-so-complicated dishes. These easy and delicious recipes will surely give you a jumpstart:
1. Crockpot Venison Chili
Source: temeculablogs.com
This deer chili (or dear chili, really!) is packed with beans, tomatoes, and corn, and it is as filling and hearty as it sounds. If not even more!
Smothered in broth and spiced with a full tablespoon of chili powder, this healthy recipe will warm you up from the inside out, for sure.
And if you’re new to venison cooking, know that this is a very forgiving recipe. You simply brown the meat and then dump it with the rest of the ingredients in a crockpot with some garlic cloves or garlic powder.
You set the crockpot and after 4 or even 8 hours (depending on whether you’re cooking on low or high), this nourishment is ready to be served.
Serve this chili with these side dishes for chili.
2. Grilled Venison Burgers
Source: gritsandgouda.com
Here is the best way to use your ground deer meat! This recipe uses half venison and half beef for not-too-rich patties, but it’s the venison that makes them deep in taste.
For best results, try to drain the venison before adding it to the recipe to get rid of any excess blood. That strong “gamey” flavor mostly comes from the blood, not the meat.
Seasoned with some pretty heavy spices and grilled until well-done, these grilled patties are just waiting for you to place them in the middle of some toasted Brioche buns.
Need more dinner inspiration? Try these chuck steak recipes.
3. Baked Venison Meatballs
Source: runningtothekitchen.com
With some ground venison and half the amount of pork (or 1 and ½ pounds to be exact), you can create some seriously irresistible meatballs that are dying to top your spaghetti.
Onions, garlic, egg, oat flour, and tons of spices, these venison/pork meatballs are flavorsome and bursting in taste.
A touch of balsamic vinegar is also added to balance out the meat and gives just a dash of acidity to the meatballs.
These meatballs are baked in the oven, but you can surely pan-fry them as well! Don’t have venison? Check out these ground lamb recipes.
4. Venison Chili
Source: thecaglediaries.com
When the weather is getting colder, you’re instantly craving a warm and comforting bowl to fill you up and get you going. And this venison is the ultimate energy starter!
Loaded with beans and tons of veggies, this tomato sauce-smothered all-venison chili is hearty and super healthy.
The slow cooking method really makes all the difference, as it becomes almost buttery soft and super velvety on your tongue.
Served with cornbread, this has to be one of the most delicious winter delights you’ll ever taste! But to be honest, I’ll take some chili over Fritos even in the middle of summer, too!
5. Venison Koftas with Yoghurt
Source: atastykitchen.com
If you have a yogurt lamb kofta dish in your recipe folder, then you’re surely going to fall in love with this venison version as well.
So fragrant and spicy, this is Middle Eastern cooking with a wild twist! The cucumber and lemon yogurt is loaded with mint, for a refreshing touch to balance out the meaty earthiness.
This easy recipe also features a flatbread-making method from scratch, so this is a full-blown dish, for sure. Plus, with a touch of pickled onions, mild acidic notes wrap things up beautifully.
6. Creamy Dairy-Free Venison Stroganoff
Source: runningtothekitchen.com
A classic stroganoff may rely on sour cream, but this venison version doesn’t include any dairy. With plain coconut yogurt, you can achieve a similar creaminess, but in a much lighter way.
Ground venison cooked to a brown tenderness, with mushrooms and onions! This red-wine-smothered stroganoff is nothing if not the perfect topping for your pasta.
Finish off with some chopped herbs for a fancy look on your table, and there will not be an unsatisfied guest.
Healthy Ground Venison Recipes
If you’re looking for a healthier way to cook your wild game, then these hearty ground venison recipes will definitely deliver: Choose the deer meat recipes you want to make, go to the grocery store, get your ingredients, heat up your pan to medium heat with a tablespoon of olive oil and get cooking!
7. Ground Venison Stir Fry
Source: confessionsofanover-workedmom.com
With ground venison and bagged frozen veggies for your convenience, you can quickly whip up a tasty and nutritious stir fry with this recipe.
Some great veggie choices include broccoli, carrots, green beans, baby corn on the cob, peppers, water chestnuts, etc.
If you’re cooking with fresh veggies, then I’d suggest mushrooms as well.
Smothered in diced tomatoes and seasoned with chili powder and garlic, this fragrant and flavorful stir fry is served with egg noodles.
But you can also serve it on top of rice for an even more filling and well-rounded meal. Make a double batch store in an airtight container and eat for the days to come!
8. Hearty Venison Chili
Source: recipesfromapantry.com
Including an Instant Pot version, this venison chili recipe gives you the option to make it on the stove, or pressure-cook it for a quicker and more tender dish.
With beans, jalapeno peppers, and, of course, tomatoes, this spice-loaded chili is bursting with flavors.
The taste here relies on half a teaspoon of cinnamon because it adds a touch of an exotic flavor that really warms up the taste and makes the meat even more delicious.
Serve it with cornbread and some sour cream, and I guarantee that no one will be able to resist asking for seconds.
9. Oven-Baked Venison Burgers
Source: babaganosh.org
The thing I like about venison is that it is much leaner and more nutritious for you. Which makes it perfect for those who want to healthify their burger game.
Some like to add some fat to their venison patties, but trust me, these lean burgers don’t even need any.
So flavorful and juicy, you will not believe that these are actually healthier.
Made with the classics – egg, breadcrumbs, and spices – these patties are baked rather than fried or grilled.
I’d suggest adding some finely chopped onion to the meat mixture because it gives a nice kick. And lean meat will especially appreciate some kicking.
10. Venison Chili
Source: fooddoodles.com
Another venison chili recipe, but without too many ingredients (except the spices). With just beans, tomatoes, and onions, this venison chili is tender and finger-licking saucy.
And how can it not be buttery soft when it is made in the slow cooker?
But don’t be quick to dump everything together in the pot. Browning the pot beforehand will intensify the flavors which will, in turn, make your chili better in taste.
Top with sour cream and sliced red onions, for the best combination of flavors! Make these Mexican side dishes with the chilli to enjoy a nice dinner.
11. Blue Cheese and Spinach Venison Burgers
Source: sumptuousspoonfuls.com
I admit. Blue cheese, spinach, and venison, at first, sounded like an odd combo. But once you give this recipe a try, you’ll be totally proved otherwise.
Juicy, cheesy, and with a touch of iron-loaded leaves to keep you from feeling guilty you’re devouring a giant burger. This venison burger is lean and super delicious.
The recipe uses a red paprika-based seasoning mix, but feel free to add your favorite flavors.
Serve on toasted buns with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and onions on top! Yum!
12. Indian Venison Meatballs
Source: krumpli.co.uk
Indian flavors are definitely not the first thing associated with ground venison, but why not? Spicy venison meatballs in an Indian-influenced creamy sauce make total sense, guys!
Smothered in a masala-style gravy, these juicy and never dry venison meatballs taste best if served over fluffy white rice.
Add some green salad on the side, and who could possibly say no to this delight?
The meat mixture uses a diced chili, but you can omit that for a dish that doesn’t leave a hot mouthfeel.
13. Mediterranean Stuffed Squash
Source: sumptuousspoonfuls.com
Loaded with all the festive spices – cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice – with this ground venison mixture you are in for some real treat.
The meat is smothered in red wine and cooked to tender perfection. Combined with breadcrumbs and a bunch of herbs and veggies, it is then used as stuffing for the squash.
The meat mixture is then topped with shredded Italian cheese and baked until melted and bubbly.
Served with some grains and salad on the side, this venison squash makes one heck of an entrée! Serve with a pinch of black pepper!
14. Venison Burger with Peaches
Source: krumpli.co.uk
Whether you get your peaches out in Georgia or not (it’s stuck in my head, you guys!), this venison burger with a sweet blue cheese topping will show you that game and fruit are a good match!
The patties are made with bacon and juniper berries, but the thing you’ll love the most about this recipe is the gin peach-flambé part.
So yes, the result is junipery, peachy, blue cheesy, and oh-so delightful burgers with the sweetest and incredibly fun-to-make topping.
Other Ground Venison Recipes
If you still haven’t found the perfect recipe, then perhaps the next few dishes will help. From casseroles, burgers, and snacks, here are some fresh new ideas on what to do with ground venison:
15. Venison Jerky
Source: beyondthechickencoop.com
If you have more wild game than you know what to do with, I suggest you make venison jerky for the ultimate nibbling snack for pretty much every occasion.
This recipe is made with red wine and teriyaki, and let me tell you, the dried meat tastes incredible.
It is also made using a jerky gun and dehydrator, but if you are not already jerky equipped, no problem.
You simply roll out the meat between two parchment paper pieces, cut it into strips, and then simply peel off one side of the paper and transfer it directly onto a rack in your oven.
With your lowest setting, you can leave the meat to dry for several hours, until it becomes completely dry.
16. Venison Burger with Chorizo Cheddar and Jalapeno
Source: 24bite.com
Another venison burger I strongly suggest you try. With Chorizo, jalapenos, cheddar cheese, and some spices, this has to be the most flavor-packed patty you’ve ever tasted.
This recipe uses an Instant Pot method for cooking the burgers, but they can easily be grilled or baked in the oven.
For the perfect serving, make sure to pair this recipe with some creamy sauce (such as avocado mayo) that will bring some fresh notes and balance out the rich meat.
17. Grilled Venison Burger
Source: thecaglediaries.com
Healthier than your regular beefy burgers, these venison patties with Worcestershire sauce and Creole seasoning are nothing but packed with flavor.
Grilled and then topped with cheese, these juicy burgers will satisfy your fast-food cravings quickly, but will surely leave you wanting more.
The recipe also used butter-brushed toasted buns, and let me tell you, a burger cannot possibly get better than this.
This easy dinner is great for a large family that loves wild meat. Juicy venison burgers are truly the best.
18. Venison Stroganoff
Source: mykitchenserenity.com
Another venison stroganoff on this list, only this recipe uses both sour cream and whipping cream for the ultimate richness and creaminess.
The venison, mushrooms, and onion all come together in this velvety broth and dairy sauce. The Worcestershire sauce is a must because it adds a certain depth to the stroganoff.
Served with pasta or egg noodles, this is really a dish you will be making on the regular. When you run out of venison, simply switch to beef or pork. Still delicious!
19. Venison Meatballs with Berry Sauce
Source: greedygourmet.com
If you thought that only Swedish meatballs taste great with jam, then you haven’t tried this venison version.
Juicy meatballs wrapped in a rich glaze made of berry jam, port, and wine. Can you resist this goodness? I, for one, surely can’t!
Using both cranberries and cranberry jelly, this thyme-flavored sauce will definitely be something your guests will look forward to.
Make sure not to forget the egg and breadcrumbs when shaping your meatball mixture, as they are the ones who actually help the ball hold its shape.
This venison meatball recipe is delicious and tastes amazing with a bit of onion powder, parmesan cheese, and green bell pepper salad on the side.
20. Venison Snack Sticks
Source: outgrilling.com
With just ground venison and some spices, you can add a smoky and super addictive snack that you simply will not be able to stop nibbling on.
For this recipe, you need a sausage stuffer to run the delicious meat mixture into some casings. It is best to cook over a grill (but not over direct medium-high heat!) and smoke for about half an hour or so.
If you’re using an oven method, you can simply add some liquid smoke to the mixture to add some smokiness.
Then you simply slice the sausage-like snacks into small sticks, and voila! Your smoky nibbles are done!
21. Wild Garden Rice Casserole
Source: sumptuousspoonfuls.com
Here is a great way to use venison! With some eggplants, peppers, and cooked rice, this ground venison casserole is loaded with nutritious and filling ingredients.
Smothered in a spicy and cheesy Harissa egg mixture, the meat and veggies receive an addictive oomph that tastes incredible!
The casserole is then topped with a lovely yogurt and cheese bechamel sauce for some extra creamy texture.
The sriracha in the bechamel and the salsa on top of the meat mixture, give this casserole a spicy kick that combines perfectly with the earthy meat and veggies.