What Is Venison Meat?

Have you ever wondered, what is venison meat? You might hear hunters talking about it or it’s on the menu at a fancy steakhouse. You may even have some in your freezer! I’m bestselling cookbook author Allie Doran and my work is all about venison and wild game (my book is titled Venison Every Day, after all). After reading this post you’ll be an expert on what venison is, what flavors work with the rich flavor, and you’ll learn why it’s a great choice of protein.

Ok, so what is venison

The term venison refers to meat from animals in the deer or Cervidae Family such as deer, moose, elk, antelope, caribou and reindeer.

People ask me all of the time “Allie, is venison deer meat?”. The answer is YES! Deer meat or meat from white-tailed, red deer, roe deer, fallow deer, mule deer and more is venison. The term venison also includes the meat of animals such as moose, elk, sometimes antelope and a variety of deer species other than the American white-tailed deer many of us are familiar with (aka Bambi).

Is venison red meat?

Yes, venison, is considered to be red meat. When cooked well it is some of the tastiest, most nutrient dense, and leanest red meats available. It is incredibly popular among the hunting community because many hunters, like my husband, choose to hunt deer, elk, moose and more to provide meat for their families.

Can you cook deer like beef?

Most of my work the past 8 years has been dedicated to cooking venison, my favorite red meat. I always tell people, “if you try to cook venison like you cook beef you will likely be disappointed”.

Venison is leaner and a more robustly flavored protein. Deer and other Cervidae species are wild animals and they live in a variety of (potentially challenging) environments with a multitude of food sources. This all impacts the flavor of an animal and life is much different from a cow on pasture or in a barn fed grain. Mature buck (or male deer) taken during peak mating season (aka the rut) can often taste strong due to the presence of hormones or age of the animal.

Click here to get my tips on How to Cook Venison.

What does Venison taste like?

Venison has an intense flavor but when cooked appropriately it tastes fresh, bright, clean and mineral rich. It pairs well with flavors like blueberry, black pepper, mushrooms, red wine, flaky pastry, sea salt, thyme and lemon.

Those who find beef to feel heavy (like me) may actually prefer red meat dishes prepared with venison or deer meat. It works well with Mexican/South American, Mediterranean, and Asian cuisines specifically.

Cooking venison 101

Cooking venison can be quite easy when handled appropriately. For 5 of my quickest tips, click here.

Making a classic steak with deer

My favorite way to cook a restaurant quality deer steak is to use the grill or a HOT cast iron pan. Cook it on high heat and fast so it isn’t overcooked. Medium rare or rare plus is best.

Slow-cooking venison

Tough or bone-in cuts of venison respond well to slow-cooking. Here is a list of my favorite braised or slow-cooked recipes featuring deer meat.

Cooking venison low and slow breaks down the tissue and collagen creating a fall-apart tender result that kids and company alike enjoy.

Is venison meat healthy?

Venison is packed full of minerals and nutrients like zinc, iron, b vitamins, potassium and selenium. Deer meat is also extremely high in protein and it is lower in saturated fat than meats like beef and pork.

If you’re lucky enough to have deer in the fridge or freezer you’re well on your way to creating a delicious and well balanced meal full of essential nutrients and protein.

Let’s summarize – venison meat is deer and more!

Now you know, when folks refer to venison they’re referring to the meat from animals in the deer family like white-tailed deer, elk, moose, caribou, fallow deer, Sitka deer and more!

For recipes, cooking tips, troubleshooting and more check out my website or grab a copy of my cookbook, Venison Every Day!

xo – Allie