If you’re looking for an easy and delicious way to cook venison steaks, look no further than your Traeger or pellet grill! In this guide, I’ll show you how to season and grill your venison steaks to perfection. So fire up your Traeger and let’s get started!
My Traeger grill is one of my favorite cooking tools (and you guys know I don’t like gadgets!) because it holds a really steady temperature AND adds flavor to my food while I’m cooking it. That makes it great for cooking venison because deer meat tastes so good with a hint of smoke.
So let’s get started…
1. Choose the right venison steak
Deer are a popular game animal, and venison is a prized meat, especially in our family where my husband spends the whole year tracking a select few buck. When cooked properly, venison is tender and flavorful. However, it can also be tough and dry. The key to making a delicious venison steak is to choose the right cut of meat. The best venison steaks come from the loin or the hindquarter. These cuts are lean and tender, and they are ideal for grilling or pan-frying. When cooking venison steak, it’s important to use a hot grill or pan. This will help to sear the outside of the steak, locking in the juices.
For even cooking, I recommend using a Traeger pellet grill or my cast iron method. A pellet grill heats evenly and produces great results. When grilling or pan-frying venison steak, be sure not to overcook it. Venison should be cooked until it reaches an internal temperature of 115-125 degrees Fahrenheit. This will ensure that the meat is juicy and tender. Follow these tips, and you’ll be able to cook up a delicious venison steak that your family and friends will love.
2. Preheat your Traeger grill
If you’re lucky enough to have a Traeger pellet grill, then you know that it’s capable of cooking up some delicious venison steak. But in order to get the most out of your Traeger, you need to make sure that you preheat it properly. Here’s how:
First, set the temperature on your Traeger to the highest setting. Then, close the lid and let the grill preheat for 15 minutes. Once the 15 minutes is up, open the lid and place your deer steak on the grill. Close the lid and let the steak cook for 3-4 minutes per side.
Once the steak is cooked to your liking, remove it from the grill and enjoy! Just remember to preheat your Traeger properly and you’ll be able to enjoy perfectly cooked venison every time.
What type of wood pellets taste good with wild game
There are a variety of different wood pellets that can be used with wild game, but my personal favorite is the hickory pellets. The hickory flavor pairs well with venison and other types of wild game, and it gives the meat a delicious smoky flavor. If you’re looking for a great way to enhance the flavor of your venison steak, I recommend using hickory wood pellets. Cherry and the Big Game Blend from Traeger are also great, too.
3. Season your venison steaks
The key to making venison taste great is to season it properly. First, place the steaks on a paper towel and season them with salt, about 1/2-1 teaspoon of salt per pound of meat. Pat the meat super dry before placing it on the grill to ensure a great crust. This is a tip I often use in my cookbook, Venison Every Day.
4. Grill your venison steaks to perfection
Next, place the steaks on the grill after it heats. Grill for 3-4 minutes per side, or until the steak reaches the desired level of doneness (remember for a great rare plus – medium rare, venison should be cooked until it reaches an internal temperature of 115-125 degrees Fahrenheit). Remove from grill and let rest for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
5. Serve with your favorite sides and enjoy!
There’s nothing like a good steak, and venison is the perfect choice for a truly special meal. Deer have a hearty, gamey flavor that pairs well with bold, earthy spices. And when it comes to cooking venison, there’s no better option than a Traeger pellet grill. Traeger’s use wood pellets to create flavorful smoke, infusing your steak with rich, smoky flavor. Plus, the Traeger’s even heat ensures that your steak will be cooked to perfection. So if you’re looking for an impressive way to cook venison, Traeger/pellet grills are a great way to go. Serve with your favorite sides and enjoy! Here are a few sides you may enjoy:
Fluffy Bacon Buttermilk Biscuits
So, let’s recap what we know about Traeger Venison Steaks
Venison is a popular game animal, and venison is a prized meat. When cooked properly, venison is tender and flavorful. However, it can also be tough and dry. The key to making a delicious venison steak is to choose the right cut of meat and season it properly. For even cooking, I recommend using a Traeger pellet grill. Venison should be cooked until it reaches an internal temperature of 115-125 degrees Fahrenheit. Follow these tips, and you’ll be able to cook up a delicious venison steak that your family and friends will love!
Now that you know how to cook venison steaks on a Traeger, it’s time to fire up your grill and get cooking! So what are you waiting for? Invite your friends over for a wild game night and enjoy some delicious venison steaks!
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How to Cook Venison Steaks On a Traeger
Every wonder how to cook perfect venison steaks on a Traeger? This pellet grill deer steaks recipe is foolproof!
Ingredients
- 1 lb. venison steaks or chops (the thicker they are, the longer they take to cook)
- 1–2 tsp. sea salt (flakey sea salt is great to finish with if you have it)
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- 1 lemon
Instructions
- Preheat your pellet grill to 450F or as high as it goes.
- While the grill heats, remove the defrosted steaks from the fridge and set them on a paper towel lined plate. Season them liberally on each side with salt and let them rest on the paper towel to absorb moisture while they come closer to room temp. This ensures more even cooking.
- Place the steaks directly on the grill when it is heated. Grill for 3-5 minutes per side, this will depend on the thickness of your steak so keep a watchful eye. Flip and pull them when they reach an internal temp of 115-120F. You don’t want to cook this past medium rare.
- Rest the steaks for 10 minutes (no you can’t skip this). I like to slice them against the grain and then top them with flakey salt, pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice.
- Check out this ultimate venison steak salad if you want to try something new with the meat you just grilled!
