Deer hunting season is nearly upon us here in Wisconsin. I’m so confident you’re going to have a successful hunt this year, that I’m already prepared to help you eat up all that wild game meat that’ll be stocked in your freezer. Nothing like some fresh venison on the dinner table to add more flavor to the meal. To keep your taste buds happy and your mouth watering, I’ve rounded up the 12 best venison recipes you must try this season!
1. Maple Marinade Recipe for Cast-Iron Venison Steak
Photo and recipe by Krissie Mason via Outdoor Life
Do you like your deer meat savory? Then you’re in for a unique treat with this venison maple marinade. The ingredient list include flavors such as brown sugar, ginger, sage, thyme, paprika, nutmeg and more. The range of bold flavors sing well together upon your tongue and will tantalize your taste senses.
2. Bacon Wrapped Venison Backstrap
(Video and recipe by Malcom Reed via Jesse Males & Wide Open Spaces)
I don’t know about you, but I sure do enjoy venison backstrap as it is. But wrap the whole thing in bacon? Talk about next level drooling! While it may not be official BBQ season, that doesn’t need to stop you from making this tasty meal. Take a peak at the video for tips on properly preparing your meat for the grill.
3. Easy Venison Korean BBQ Slow Cooker Recipe
(Video and recipe by Julie Golob)
Looking for something different to do with your venison meat? This Korean BBQ recipe is the perfect way to mix dinner time flavors up while still incorporating your game meat. This simple recipe uses only 5 ingredients and has a sweet but nutty Korean BBQ sauce flavor. Serve it over the top of rice noodles and spinach.
4. Slow Cooker Venison Sloppy Joes
(Photo and recipe by J via CD Kitchen)
How do you take a classic dinner recipe and step it up a notch? By subbing in venison meat and slow cooking in the flavors all day long. Sloppy joes are a family favorite in my house. They are both quick and easy to make. This recipe kicks things up with added spices, like chili powder, plus it includes bacon!
5. Beer Cheese Stuffed Venison Burgers
(Image and recipe via Wide Open Spaces)
I would be remiss if my list didn’t include at least one burger. You’ve heard about a juicy lucy, right?! Well I bet you’ve never tried the beer-cheese venison version of that burger. Like the name implies, you can bet this burger is as juicy as it is tasty!
6. Jim Beam Venison Pasta
(Video and recipe by Brad Smith Outdoors)
Shall we continue with the theme of including alcoholic beverages in our cooking? I think so. This recipe not only combines wild game and whiskey, but it’s also very simple and easy to follow. I guarantee it’ll leave you feeling full and satisfied.
7. Venison Chili
(Photo and recipe via Deer & Deer Hunting)
Ah, chili -another warm-weather classic here in Wisconsin; especially in the colder winter months. Everyone seems to have their own chili recipe and seems to think it’s the best -well, of course, right?! Nevertheless, I urge you to give this new recipe a try to see how it stacks up to your current one. This recipe has flavors that are foreign to my usual pot of chili, like cocoa, cinnamon and lime -intriguing, right? One of the things I love most about chili is the leftovers! 
8. The Perfect Venison Jerky Recipe
(Image and recipe by Cabela’s via Wide Open Spaces)
Looking for a snackable, easily transportable version of your vension? Jerky is the perfect treat for a little nibble between meals or as a non-messy, on-the-go snack. This recipe only takes 5 minutes to prep! Then you’ll marinate your venison meat for 24 hours before placing them in a food dehydrator or the oven.
9. Vietnamese Venison Tenderloin Pho
(Photo and recipe by Krissie Mason via Outdoor Life)
Time to head back off the beaten path and mix things up with some international culinary flavors. The cook time on this recipe is a little more involved than some of the others, but according to Krissie, “It is the time-tended broth that makes pho supremely delicious rather than ‘sort of good in a weird kind of way.’” And trust us, you’ll definitely be rewarded at the end; this recipe is totally worth the time!
10. Old School Wild Game Smoked Venison Sausage
(Photo and recipe via Bio Prepper)
Making sausage out of wild game meat is a classic way to prepare and eat the meat. If you’re looking for some great recipes, check out these ideas from Bio Prepper. Recipes include venison summer sausage, bulk breakfast sausage, and Italian sausage. With these 3 venison sausages on hand, you’l be prepped to cook for any meal of the day!
11. Root Beer BBQ Pulled Venison
(Photo and recipe by Brad Smith via Wide Open Spaces)
Wait…root beer did you say?! Now slow down. Don’t knock this fantastic recipe till you try it! Everyone enjoys a good pulled pork sandwich. Well, this recipe puts a twist on that classic and makes it fit perfectly for the flavor of venison. This is another quick and easy meal to prepare.
12.Venison Spaghetti Sauce
(Photo and recipe via Outdoor Channel)
If you’re anything like me then you LOVE spaghetti. It’s a favorite dinner of mine that’s both tasty and filling; plus it’s great for leftovers too. Mix up your usual recipe with a hearty, meaty version that uses venison meat. You’ll be thanking me as you slurp up your noodles when digging into dinner.
Which one of these recipes sounds like a true winner that you can’t wait to make? Do you have a tried and true venison recipe you want to share with us? Please let us know in the comments below.
