Typically ground beef gets all the glory. Burgers, tacos, chili…it’s a culinary jack-of-all-trades. But what if I told you there’s another lean, mean protein lurking in the shadows, waiting to steal the spotlight? Enter ground venison. Here’s 30+ easy ground venison recipes to try at home!
You might picture tough jerky or gamey stews when you think venison.
But guess what?
Ground venison is also ready to transform into juicy burgers, hearty pastas, and even globally-inspired dishes that’ll have your taste buds doing a happy dance.
These recipes are:
- Easy enough for weeknight warriors (because who has time for culinary marathons?)
- Packed with flavor (we’re talking beyond-your-average-burger kind of delicious)
- Sure to impress (dinner party coming up? Venison will have your guests asking for seconds)
Keep reading to discover some new favorites!
Bonus? These recipes work with ground beef, pork, turkey or chicken too. So, feel free to use what you have on hand!
The BEST Ground Deer Recipes
The Best Ground Venison Tacos
This is the best, simple and from-scratch recipe for ground venison tacos. Simple to make and no packets of seasoning from the store needed!Recipe: Miss Allie's Kitchen
Ground Venison Tacos
Venison and Wild Mushroom Hand Pies with Stout Beer
Venison hand pies (pasties) are the perfect handheld meal. These delicious little treats are made of flavorful venison and mushroom filling with stout beer gravy wrapped in a flaky Irish cheddar crust.Recipe: Peak to Plate
Venison and Wild Mushroom Hand Pies
Easy Venison Meatballs Recipe
Venison Meatballs Recipe: You’ll just need 5 ingredients, plus a little salt and black pepper, and about 45 minutes to prep and bake.Recipe: Ninnescah Homestead
Venison Meatballs
Venison Breakfast Sausage
These delightful, flavorful, and juicy addition to your morning routine will have you excited to start your day!Recipe: Miss Allie's Kitchen
Venison Breakfast Sausage
Venison Meatloaf
An updated, classic venison meatloaf recipe that is loaded with flavor and so easy to make. Perfect for using up ground deer meat.Recipe: Miss Allie's Kitchen
Venison Meatloaf
Venison Hamburger Helper
This easy homemade Hamburger Helper ground venison recipe has ground deer meat, macaroni, and a flavorful cheesy cheddar sauce!Recipe: Ninnescah Homestead
Venison Hamburger Helper
Ground Venison Shepherd’s Pie
This easy ground venison shepherd’s pie recipe is the ultimate meat and potatoes meal! Ground venison combines with healthy vegetables in a silky and flavorful gravy all topped by a gorgeous crust of parmesan mashed potatoes.Recipe: Midwest Nice Blog
Ground Venison Shepherd’s Pie
Ground Venison Tater Tot Nachos (Totchos!)
These ground venison tater tot nachos are a dinner dream come true! Made on a bed of tater tots instead of tortilla chips they’re loaded with melty cheese, perfectly seasoned ground venison, and all the fun nacho toppings you love!Recipe Midwest Nice Blog
Ground Venison Nachos
Venison Sausage Breakfast Tacos
These Venison Sausage Breakfast Tacos are made of tortillas loaded with homemade bulk venison breakfast sausage, scrambled eggs, cheese, and your favorite toppings!Recipe: Midwest Nice Blog
Venison Sausage Breakfast Tacos
Venison Meat Sauce – Homemade Venison Spaghetti Sauce
This venison meat sauce is our go-to red sauce for pasta night! Ground venison, crushed tomatoes, and flavorful herbs combine in a simple sauce that’s perfect for pasta. As a bonus, it’s a great filling for things like lasagna or a simple pasta bake!Recipe: Midwest Nice Blog
Venison Spaghetti Sauce
Best Venison Chili
Easy, hearty and crazy delicious venison chili is the perfect cozy dinner for a cold night! Can be cooked on the stove or in the crockpot.Recipe: Modern Farmhouse Eats
Venison Chili
Juicy Venison Burgers
This flavorful venison burgers recipe will shake up your burger routine! Easily make venison burgers on stovetop, grill, or in air fryer.Recipe: Recipes From A Pantry
Juicy Venison Burgers
Venison Stuffed Bell Peppers
Yum yum yum! The only three words that can describe these Venison Stuffed Bell Peppers. The peppers are absolutely packed with flavor!Recipe: Primal Pioneer
Venison Stuffed Bell Peppers
Easy Venison Lasagna Recipe
An easy venison lasagna recipe with ground deer meat in a rich tomato sauce, layers of ricotta cheese, and noodles, all baked to perfection.Recipe: Season & Thyme
Venison Lasagna
Venison Enchiladas
These cheesy venison enchiladas are easy to make and have the perfect red enchilada sauce that goes great with wild game.Recipe: Miss Allie's Kitchen
Venison Enchiladas
Venison Casserole
A venison casserole recipe in the style of baked ziti, a classic Italian American dish. Ground venison, sausage, pasta, cheese and tomatoes.Recipe: Hunt Gather Cook
Venison Baked Ziti Casserole
Loaded Venison Queso Dip
Rich and creamy loaded venison queso dip that’s full of your favorite Southwest flavors – an easy ground venison recipe!Recipe: Primal Pioneer
Loaded Venison Queso Dip
Hawaiian Venison Sliders
Aloha! This delicious recipe for Hawaiian Venison Sliders that will take your taste buds on a journey to the islands.Recipe: Primal Pioneer
Hawaiian Venison Sliders
Venison Vegetable Soup
This Venison Vegetable Soup is a warm and hearty traditional vegetable soup recipe make with ground venison. It’s a classic staple to have on hand during soup season.Recipe: Primal Pioneer
Venison Vegetable Soup
Ground Venison Big Mac Salad
Dive into this fresh Ground Venison Big Mac Salad this season – all your favorite flavors of a Big Mac sandwich into a lighter salad alternative!Recipe: Primal Pioneer
Ground Venison Big Mac Salad
Mexican Venison and Eggs Breakfast Skillet
This venison breakfast skillet is perfect for lazy Sunday mornings. It’s a ground deer meat recipe that you’ll come back to again and again.Recipe: Stacy Lyn Harris
Mexican Venison and Eggs Breakfast Skillet
Venison Dirty Rice
This classic southern, Cajun rice dish gets a wild game makeover with ground venison and deer liver.Recipe: Food For Hunters
Cajun Venison Rice
Instant Pot Venison Spanish Rice
Instant Pot Venison Spanish Rice is the perfect weeknight meal. With a few simple ingredients you’ll have a hearty meal that comes together in a breeze!Recipe: Peak to Plate
Instant Pot Venison Spanish Rice
Sourdough Stuffing with Venison Sausage
Homemade sourdough and venison sausage soaked in a butter and homemade stock mixture, tossed with fresh herbs and garden veggies make this side dish the perfect addition to any holiday meal.Recipe: Peak to Plate
Sourdough Stuffing with Venison Sausage
Slow Cooker Venison Spaghetti Sauce
This Slow Cooker Venison Spaghetti Sauce is packed with fresh vegetables, ground venison, and classic Italian seasonings.Recipe: The Magical Slow Cooker
Slow Cooker Venison Spaghetti Sauce
Venison Lentil Stew
This venison lentil stew is made with ground deer meat, red lentils, tomatoes and spinach. Make it in the Instant Pot, slow cooker or stovetop!Recipe: Champagne Tastes
Venison Lentil Stew
Creamy Venison Stroganoff (Dairy-Free)
Venison stroganoff is a comforting meal perfect for winter with tender venison meat, mushrooms, onions and a creamy rich sauce.Recipe: Running to the Kitchen
Ground Venison Stroganoff
Venison Italian Sausage Recipe
This Venison Italian Sausage Recipe only takes a few minutes to make so it couldn’t be easier! Delicious, fresh new use for your deer.Recipe: Binky's Culinary Carnival
Venison Italian Sausage
Old Fashioned Venison Goulash
This old fashioned Venison Goulash recipe is a delicious, one pot meal, for when you need to feed your family on a budget. It is made with ground venison, a tomato-based sauce, and elbow macaroni.Recipe: Entirely Elizabeth
Venison Goulash
Ground Venison Bulgogi Tacos
Asian fusion tacos are a great alternative to classic ground venison tacos. The fresh toppings are a delicious complement to the flavorful meat.Recipe: Peak to Plate
Ground Venison Bulgogi Tacos
How to Make Ahead and Store
Many of these ground venison recipes can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days or even in the freezer. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead.
More Ingredient Guides
Did you Make Any of These Ground Venison Recipes?
Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of recipes using ground venison. Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.
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Full Recipe
30+ Ground Venison Recipes
Here's 30+ easy ground venison recipes to try. From burgers, to soups, pastas & more! It's a delicious, lean meat that's packed with protein. Try this Venison Chili recipe! A hearty one-pot chili with beans that’s rich, spicy and perfect for game day.
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Serves 4 people
Equipment
- Slow Cooker (optional)
- Instant Pot (optional)
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground venison
- 1 onion (diced)
- 1 Tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup beer (dark or light)
- 1 15-ounce can kidney beans (undrained)
- 1 14.5-ounce can can petite diced tomatoes (undrained)
Toppings
- Sour Cream
- Cheddar Cheese (grated)
- Jalapenos
- Fresh Cilantro (minced)
- Tortilla Strips
- Tortilla Chips (crushed)
Instructions
Stove Top Directions
- Cook ground venison and onion in a large pot on medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until browned (about 4 minutes).
- Stir in seasonings, beer, beans and tomatoes. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Notes
- To Store: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- To Reheat: Gently reheat on the stove over medium-low heat until hot. You can also microwave the leftovers.
- To Freeze: I like to portion the leftover venison chili into freezer bags in individual serving sizes and place them on a cookie sheet to freeze. Once frozen, I stack them in the freezer making for an easy individual lunch! You can freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Calories: 336kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 80mg | Sodium: 695mg | Potassium: 419mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 660IU | Vitamin C: 2.1mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 3.5mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!
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