Venison Sloppy Joes are the perfect meal to make using ground deer meat. They are a cozy comfort food favorite with a modern twist.

I don’t know about you, but I love cozy, comfort meal that I am confident the whole family will enjoy. It’s always a bonus if it comes together in less than 30 minutes. My Venison Stuffed Peppers, Venison Burger Bowl, Ground Venison Tacos and Venison Egg Roll In A Bowl are just a few of my favorite quick and easy meals that I know the whole family loves. They all come together in 30 minutes or less and make for amazing leftovers. Lately, we have been enjoying making a backstrap or roast and enjoying the leftovers throughout the week for lunch or dinner.
Venison Sloppy Joes are the ultimate comfort food with a modern twist, perfect for making the most of ground deer meat. Packed with high-protein goodness, these Sloppy Joes are as nutritious as they are delicious, featuring a rich, tangy sauce that pairs perfectly with venison. Whether you’re serving them up for a cozy family dinner or prepping for the week ahead, this dish is a hearty, feel-good meal that everyone will devour. Plus, they’re quick to whip up, making them a go-to choice for busy weeknights!
What sets these Venison Sloppy Joes apart is their versatility and bold flavor. You can enjoy them piled high on toasted buns with all your favorite toppings, or get creative and spoon the saucy venison mix over roasted sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, rice or even a bed of greens for a low-carb twist. However you serve them, they’re sure to hit the spot. Pro tip: make a double batch and freeze the leftovers for an easy, protein-packed meal ready whenever you are!
WHAT ARE VENISON SLOPPY JOES?
Sloppy Joes are a type of sandwich traditionally made with ground beef, tomato sauce, and various spices. Venison Sloppy Joes are made in the same way, but with ground venison instead of beef. Venison is a nutritious and healthy alternative to beef, and it can be just as delicious in a Sloppy Joe. The key to making a good Venison Sloppy Joe is to add acid and the right seasoning blend to take away any “gamey” taste and enhance the flavor of the meat. This allows the flavors of the venison to really shine through. If you’re looking for a tasty and healthy alternative to beef, give Venison Sloppy Joes a try!
For many people, the idea of eating venison is unappetizing. Venison is the meat of deer, and it is often considered to be gamey or strong-tasting. However, when cooked properly, venison can be a delicious and nutritious meal. In this recipe, I will show you how to make Venison Sloppy Joes using ground venison and a variety of seasonings you have in your pantry with some veggies tucked in the mix, too. The result is a hearty, filling meal that will satisfy even…your toddler! So give this recipe a try – I promise you won’t be disappointed!
So, what’s not to love about these Venison Sloppy Joes? They’re messy, they’re hearty, and they’re delicious. But if you’re looking for a twist on the classic sandwich, why not try substituting ground venison for the ground beef? This leaner, healthier alternative is perfect if you’re cleaning out your freezer. Best of all, venison Sloppy Joes are easy to make and can be on the table in less than 30 minutes. So if you’re ready to spice up your dinner or lunchtime routine, give this recipe a try.

INGREDIENTS AND KITCHEN TOOLS
- Olive oil
- Ground venison
- Onion
- Bell pepper
- Garlic
- Tomato sauce
- Water
- Tomato paste
- Apple cider vinegar
- Coconut sugar (brown sugar would work too)
- Coconut aminos (or soy sauce/ aminos)
- Dijon mustard
- Salt
- Ground pepper
- optional – 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
Kitchen Tools:

STEP BY STEP
Step 1: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the oil, onions and bell pepper. Sauté the veggies until they’re translucent. Add the garlic and sauté for an additional minute.
Step 2: Next, add the ground venison. Use a spoon to break it up as it browns. Once the venison is cooked through, add the tomato sauce, stock, tomato paste, cider vinegar, coconut sugar, coconut aminos, mustard, salt and pepper.
Step 3: Stir everything together and let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
Step 4: To assemble the sandwiches, spread some of the venison mixture on the bottom of a hamburger bun. Top with shredded cheese if you’d like and then another bun top. Serve immediately. Enjoy!

Cooking Tip
One fun and tasty alternative is to serve Sloppy Joes on potato rounds. Simply cut your potatoes into 1/2-inch-thick rounds and brush with olive oil. Bake in a preheated 400-degree oven for 20 minutes or until tender. Once they’re out of the oven, top with your delicious sloppy joes mixture. The result is a hearty and satisfying meal that’s sure to please the whole family.

HOW TO SERVE
To assemble the sandwiches, start by spreading some of the venison mixture on the bottom of a hamburger bun. Top with shredded cheese if you’d like and then another bun top. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
STORING AND REHEATING
This Venison Sloppy Joes recipe stores and reheats super well. Just store it in an airtight container and when ready to eat, pop it into the microwave or stovetop!

MORE GROUND VENISON RECIPES
My Cookbook – Venison Every Day
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Venison Sloppy Joes (+ video tutorial)
Venison Sloppy Joes are the perfect meal to make to use ground deer meat. A cozy comfort food favorite with a modern twist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 lb. ground venison
- 1/2 large onion, finely diced
- 1 bell pepper, finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup venison or beef stock
- 1 Tbsp. tomato paste
- 3 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tbsp. coconut sugar
- 1 Tbsp. coconut aminos
- 2 tsp. Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. pepper
- optional – 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the oil, onions and bell pepper. Sauté the veggies until they’re translucent. Add the garlic and sauté for an additional minute.
- Next, add the ground venison. Use a spoon to break it up as it browns. Once the venison is cooked through, add the tomato sauce, stock, tomato paste, cider vinegar, coconut sugar, coconut aminos, mustard, salt and pepper.
- Stir everything together and let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
- To assemble the sandwiches, start by spreading some of the venison mixture on the bottom of a hamburger bun. Top with shredded cheese if you’d like and then another bun top. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Notes
- One fun and tasty alternative is to serve Sloppy Joes on potato rounds. To make them, simply Cut potatoes into 1/2-inch-thick rounds and brush with olive oil. Then, bake in a preheated 400-degree oven for 20 minutes or until tender. Once they’re out of the oven, top with your favorite Sloppy Joe recipe. The result is a hearty and satisfying meal that’s sure to please the whole family. So next time you’re looking for a fun twist on a classic dish, give potatoes a try!




