Ingredients
- Deer backstrap (or venison loin) – I usually cut each whole backstrap into 2 pieces for my family of three and each piece is about 1.5lbs and feed 4
- 4 garlic cloves
- 2 tsp. fresh thyme
- 2 tsp. fresh, rosemary
- 1 small lemon (zested and a bit of juice)
- about 2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. pepper
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- Preheat the oven to 450F. While the oven heats, cover your backstrap in 1 teaspoon of the sea salt and let it sit wrapped in a paper towel. Brining the meat to room temp helps with even cooking and the salt draws out the moisture.
- Finely mince the garlic, thyme, rosemary and then combine with the lemon zest, remaining salt and pepper.
- When the oven is preheated place the venison loin on a baking sheet or in a roasting pan and drizzle on the olive oil and roll it in the herb garlic mixture.
- Roast for 12-18 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of your backstrap, and pull the meat out of the oven when it reaches an internal temperature of 115-125F.
- Let it rest on a cutting board for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving. I like to slice a small piece of lemon and squeeze lemon over the meat. Enjoy!