Venison roast is one of our family favorites and it is such a versatile cut of meat. Here are some of our favorite recipes for cooking deer roast.
Looking to add some excitement to your dinner table? Venison roast might just be the ticket! With its lean, flavorful meat, venison is a versatile ingredient that can be cooked in a variety of delicious ways. Whether you’re a seasoned venison aficionado or new to cooking with deer meat, these five recipes are sure to please your palate and impress your guests. From classic roasts with hearty vegetables to creative twists like venison tacos, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy. These recipes have minimal prep time, easy-to-follow instructions, and are so delicious you’ll be sure to add these to your regular line-up. So let’s get cooking with these fantastic venison roast recipes!
WHY VENISON ROAST?
Venison roast is lean, flavorful, and is a popular choice among hunters and food enthusiasts alike. The meat is typically rich in protein and low in fat, making it a healthier alternative to other types of red meat. Venison roast can be cooked in a variety of ways, including roasting, braising, slow-cooking, or grilling, depending on personal preference and desired flavor profile. It pairs well with a wide range of herbs, spices, and marinades, allowing for endless culinary creativity in the kitchen. Whether served as a hearty main course for a special occasion or incorporated into everyday meals, venison roast is sure to delight the taste buds and satisfy hunger cravings.
While I love using my dutch oven, I have found the best way that I’ve found to make sure a venison roast (bone-in or out) tender is to cook it in the crockpot or slow cooker on low for 8-9 hours, or until it is falling apart. If you cook it on low you won’t dry it out.
Please note that I don’t recommend cooking this on high for 4-6 hours. It’s not going to be as juicy and tender. If you’re in a hurry I’d really recommend planning another day to make this when you can set yourself up to have it cook all day or overnight while you rest.
TIPS FOR PREPPING & COOKING A JUICY AND TENDER DEER ROAST
1. Sear the meat on all sides first
First in order is searing the meat on all sides in a hot skillet on medium-high heat. Use a fat with a high smoke point like duck fat, avocado oil or clarified butter/ghee to fry in. This adds both flavor and texture.
2. Add plenty of aromatics and seasoning
I love a blend of plenty of onions, garlic cloves, salt, black pepper and Italian seasoning. Worcestershire sauce and tomato paste are also added for depth of flavor. Ingredients can be simple but also impactful and majorly flavorful. You won’t need canned soup or seasoning packets here.
It’s a good idea to taste a bit of the cooking liquid an hour or so before serving so you can add additional salt or black pepper to the crock pot and stir it in before you serve.
3. Acid is important
This is one of my most talked-about tips, but adding acid to a venison dish is very important for balancing out the rich flavor. Here, I like to use balsamic vinegar.
4. Use quality or homemade stock/brasing liquid
My venison stock recipe is perfect for use here. If you don’t have homemade, choose a good quality beef stock or bone broth. This adds a rich silky texture to the finished gravy.
I also like to be able to control the sodium level so homemade or unsalted broth is best.
KEY INGREDIENTS & KITCHEN TOOLS TO HAVE ON HAND WHEN COOKING WILD GAME & VENISON ROAST
When preparing venison recipes, there are key ingredients that I like to keep in my pantry and fridge so that I can always whip something delicious up when I defrost deer meat from my deep freezer. Here’s what I like to have on hand:
1. Venison: The star of the show, ensuring you have fresh and high-quality cuts is essential. You can also use a variety of game meat for these recipes as well, elk, moose, antelope and so much more!
2. Herbs and Spices: My staples include Italian seasoning, herbs de Provence, curry powder, garlic powder, onion powder, bay leaves, and fresh herbs such as fresh rosemary, sprigs of fresh thyme kosher salt and black pepper. My cookbook has a whole list!
3. Marinades: A good marinade can tenderize the meat and bring out its natural flavors. Consider using red wine, Worcestershire sauce, or balsamic vinegar as a base for your marinades. I also have an incredible All-Purpose Marinade that is perfect for any cut of meat.
4. Stock or Broth: Stock or broth (chicken, vegetable, or beef broth all work) is the perfect liquid ingredient to have on hand to add to recipes, it helps keep the meat moist and intensifies the overall taste. Check out my Homemade Venison Stock recipe!
5. Butter or Olive Oil: These fats are perfect for cooking venison as they add richness and prevent it from drying out.
6. Vegetables: Pairing your venison with vegetables, such as potatoes, carrots, celery, onions, and garlic cloves, not only adds color to your plate but also complements its earthy flavors. Diced tomatoes and tomato paste are also great ingredients to have on hand for a pop of flavor!
By having these key ingredients on hand, you’ll be well-equipped to create delicious and memorable venison dishes that are sure to be a hit!
Kitchen Tools
There are quite a few kitchen essentials that I always have on hand when cooking with Venison. Whether you are cooking your meat in a smoker, a large skillet, a crockpot, or baking pan, it is always important to make sure you have the best quality equipment to help your meat cook evenly and properly. I also recommend a sharp knife for cutting your meat and a good quality cutting board. Having a serving platter on hand is always a good idea when you are feeding a big crowd. Lastly, I always have my meat thermometer on hand to make sure my venison reaches the proper internal temp. This also makes for a great gift!
LET’S GET COOKING
Here are my top 5 favorite ways to cook venison roast. As I mentioned before, you can prepare deer roast in a variety of ways with so many different flavors and seasonings. I cannot wait to hear which one is your favorite!
Slow Cooker Venison Pot Roast
This is the way to get a flavorful, tender and juicy venison roast. Using the slow cooker is the easiest way to make the perfect venison roast every time.
Birria Tacos
Change the game with these Birria tacos. Packed with tender, flavorful meat wrapped in warm, corn tortillas and topped with melted cheese and onions. You’ll seriously want to drink the broth with a spoon.
Venison Ragù
Crazy tender pulled venison in the best ever pasta sauce over served over your favorite pasta. We have been making this recipe on repeat for years!
Instant Pot Red Wine Venison Roast
If you need a cozy, quick and easy meal, this instant pot venison roast is packed with tender meat, potatoes and carrots for a delicious meal everyone will love.
Bear Roast
I know this isn’t necessarily venison, but it is the best way to cook a juicy, tender bear roast. Served along side some mashed potatoes and veggies this one is sure to be a hit!
STORING AND REHEATING
We love prepping these recipes for dinner on Sundays and enjoying the leftovers throughout the week. They are easily stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
If you are looking for other delicious ways to use up your freezer of venison, make sure you grab a copy of my cookbook, Venison Every Day, check it out on Amazon!
Leave a Reply