Venison is a delicious, rich meat that brings intense and warming flavors to any dish.
However, it can be easy to become stuck in a rut when cooking the meat and return to the same foolproof recipes time and time again.
If you want to break free from a cycle of roast venison joints, you’re in the right place.
In this article, we will look at 13 unique venison recipes that are suitable for any occasion.
Whether you want to spice up your midweek meals or bring a winning dish to your next cookout, find some inspiration from the recipes below.
Venison Bourguignon
Venison bourguignon adds a rich and luxurious twist to a regular beef bourguignon.
The earthy tones of this recipe make it a great comfort food that can be enjoyed all year round.
The mushrooms, carrots, and onions add incredible layers of flavor that are warming, and the roasted baby potatoes round this dish off nicely to make it a complete and satisfying meal.
Although the recipe says to cook this in a casserole dish, it is possible for the recipe to be cooked in a crock pot to make it more convenient.
Venison Pasties
This recipe is one of the most unique entries on this list. The venison pasties pay a kind of homage to the classic British dish Cornish pasties.
Pasties are parcels that are made of shortcrust pastry and filled with meat or vegetables with onions and extra vegetables in the case of meat fillings.
They often feature a large, patterned seal along one side that originally was supposed to be a handle.
The venison filling in these pasties creates a rich meal that will be very satisfying.
Although pasties are often eaten on their own, some tasty accompaniments can be baked beans, peas, or pickled vegetables.
Hunter’s Casserole With Ground Venison
Ground venison (You might want to check out some Ground Chicken Recipes as well) is just as versatile as its beef and poultry counterparts and creates very flavorful dishes.
This hunter’s casserole that is made with ground venison will be a great addition to your weekly meal rotation.
The cheeses, chilis, potatoes, and plenty of garlic that are used to create this dish provide you with a plethora of flavors and textures that are likely to keep the entire family satisfied and quiet during dinner time.
The venison hunter’s casserole can also make a great addition to your next potluck that is guaranteed to have everyone asking for the recipe.
The fact that this dish can be made in as little as 55 minutes makes it even more tempting.
Venison Taco Pie
If tacos are already a staple in your household’s regular dinner rotations, this recipe provides a wonderful twist to your family favorite that feels like an entirely different meal.
Not only is this a great way to freshen up a regular meal in your household, but it is also quick and easy to make which makes it an even bigger winner.
Because this recipe is a type of pie as opposed to tacos in shells, it can be a great addition to your next dinner party or potluck night with friends that is sure to grab everyone’s attention and have them asking you to make it again next time.
Shredded Venison Sandwiches
Venison has a unique, earthy, game-like flavor to it naturally, however, this recipe for shredded venison sandwiches adds other incredible flavors to the already aromatic meat.
The recipe calls for soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, hot pepper sauce, nutmeg, and liquid smoke to give the meat a warm and tangy taste.
Because the meat is slow cooked in the seasonings and sauces for between 8 and 10 hours, it soaks up all of the flavors to create a wonderful taste experience for your friends, family, and loved ones.
Venison Stock
Although this recipe is slightly different from the others on this list in that it isn’t for a meal or a main dish, it is still a great option for using up venison meat and bones.
This broth recipe features more than simply the leftover meat and bones of your venison joint, it also includes plenty of veggies to create a broth that is both layered, rich, and healthy.
From this stock, there are a plethora of dishes that can be made that will feature the rich, earthy flavors that are synonymous with venison.
It is a great recipe to freeze to be used at a later date and can make future dishes much less labor intensive.
Easy Canned Venison
Making homemade canned venison is a great option if you have a surplus of venison and a shortage of freezer space.
The canning process allows you to significantly extend the shelf life of your meat and keep a delicious, healthy meal on hand for family meals whenever you need them.
The process of canning venison is incredibly simple and easy, the only additional equipment necessary to safely can food and successfully preserve the meat as it is, is a pressure canner.
Without a pressure canner, it is incredibly difficult to generate a sufficient seal to keep the meat fresh without refrigeration.
Venison Vegetable Soup
This venison vegetable soup is a great source of protein that can create a filling lunch or a light supper that is filled with flavor and nutritional value.
Simply pair the soup with some fresh garlic bread and a side salad to create a great dinner party dish that is bound to leave your guests asking for the recipe.
It can also be a great way to use up any frozen or fresh venison and surplus vegetables that are coming to the end of their prime.
If you wanted to, you could use the venison stock recipe to create a base for this soup to give an even greater depth of flavor to the dish.
Venison Sausage Pasta
This recipe for venison sausage pasta (You might want to check out some Chicken Sausage Recipes as well) is a great alternative to your regular sausage pasta recipes and is filled with rich flavors that give the dish a luxurious feel.
Although this dish is extremely simple and easy to make, the flavors and textures of the meal are fit for even the most fancy of dinner parties.
Whether you are entertaining work colleagues or longtime friends, this recipe is sure to have people talking about it long after they have finished eating it.
Venison Chili
In a similar vein to the venison taco pie that was mentioned above, this venison chili provides a great new twist on a classic recipe that your family and friends enjoy regularly.
The richness of the venison lends itself perfectly to spicy dishes and can handle higher levels of spice than less rich meats without the flavor becoming overpowering.
Deer Jerky In The Oven
If you find yourself with an abundance of venison and can’t face another dish to use it up before it goes bad, deer jerky that you can make in the oven is a great option.
Once the meat has been made into jerky, its shelf life is greatly extended and allows you to enjoy the meat as a snack that is high in protein.
This is a great option if you have hunted or purchased a whole deer and are running out of ideas or freezer space for the meat.
The whole process takes about an hour and a half making it a relatively easy option.
Venison Bolognese
This recipe provides an interesting twist on classic beef or lamb bolognese.
Because of the richness of the venison meat, this bolognese is very filling and boasts strong flavors.
In this recipe, the venison bolognese sauce is cooked at a low temperature for hours to ensure that the meat is tender and juicy.
Served over freshly cooked pasta with a side salad, this dish is suitable for any occasion from dinner parties to potlucks to regular family meals.
Kung Pao Venison
This recipe for kung pao venison is one of the most unusual entries on this list.
Venison is in no way a traditional meat that is used in kung pao dishes but it really works.
The combination of fresh ginger, garlic, chilis, and peppers provides a great sticky, slightly sweet sauce that compliments the flavor of the meat brilliantly.
The sauce can even be tailored to the stickiness or sweetness that you prefer.
The most important thing to remember with this recipe is that lean meat that is free of gristle and silverskin is required to make this a great dish for any occasion.
Final Thoughts
There are a plethora of unique and delicious venison recipes that can be used for any occasion.
No matter whether you are throwing a dinner party for colleagues or attending a potluck with family and friends, these dishes are guaranteed to surprise and delight your guests in equal measure.
If you have extra venison to use or are interested in trying venison for the first time, these recipes can help you create a tasty meal with ease.
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