MeatEater’s Best Grilled Venison Recipes

Maggie Hudlow Jul 26, 2024

It’s grilling season—too hot to bother turning on the oven and too nice to stay inside. And venison is gracing our grates more often than not. So get the coals burning hot, grab yourself a cold beverage, and check out some of our favorite grilled venison recipes of all time.

Jump to: Whole Steaks / Smoked / Skewered / Sliced / Grind and Other Cuts /

WHOLE STEAKS

Whole Loin

With a super tender cut like a lion, you don’t have to do much to make it taste great. Cook it rare, slice it thin, and top it with gremolata (or try this Italian salsa verde) for a carpaccio-like grilled meat experience.

Balsamic Steak

The balsamic and miso reduction combined with a finishing touch of garlic-infused olive oil make this steak a sweet, sour, meaty, and incredibly delicious summertime meal.

Chili-Rubbed Steak with Corn Salsa

By cutting a roast length-wise, you’ll yield two flat pieces that cook up just like a piece of beef flank, perfect for the grill. Check out this video for more details on the process.

Garlic Herb Marinade

To marinade or not to marinade? If you’re asking yourself that question, try this simple but effective option that adds fat and flavor without masking the naturally tasty flavors venison offers.

SMOKED

Smoked Backstrap

OK, a smoker isn’t technically a grill. But this recipe is so good you’ll never want to grill backstrap again and miss out on the delectable smoky flavors this technique yields in the meat.

Texas Style Barbeque Roast

Use Danielle Prewett’s technique to transform a venison roast into a replica of Texas-style smoked beef brisket. With a bit of care and time, you can produce some of the best BBQ you’ve ever had.

SKEWERED

Chislic: A South Dakota Delicacy

Spencer Neuharth’s home state of South Dakota’s culinary centerpiece may seem simple, and that’s because it is. But simplicity often makes for some of the tastiest and most memorable meals.

Negimaki

"Negi" means onion, and "maki" means roll in Japanese. Grilled venison slathered with sweet, salty teriyaki sauce with a punchy onion center is a winning combination for any event.

Kabobs

Kabobs are a perfect summer meal. Marinated meat and veggies all on one stick, grilled together, eaten right off the skewer; what’s not to love?

SLICED

Grilled Bulgogi

Venison is sliced thin and marinated in a savory mix of sesame oil, chili paste, and soy sauce. The sweet and smoky flavors are reminiscent of sticky BBQ ribs but with slightly less richness and more umami.

Carne Asada

Here’s a quick way to get tacos on the table that doesn’t involve ground meat. Get a little creative with the toppings, and be sure you don’t skip the grilled quesadillas as taco shells.

GRIND AND OTHER CUTS

Burgers

You can’t go wrong with burgers on the grill. Follow these tips for the perfect venison burger, including the right meat-to-fat ratio and how long you should keep them on the heat.

Citrus Marinated Fajitas

Have you ever kept the flank, skirt, or brisket cuts off a deer? Danielle Prewett lays out just where you can find these cuts and why you want to keep them for this delicious fajita recipe.

Classic Brat

Never grill store-bought brats again when you can serve up these delicious homemade venison brats at your next BBQ. Be sure to serve with grainy mustard and sauerkraut for a complete culinary experience.

Venison Ribs

If you haven’t tried Steven Rinella’s method for cooking bone-in venison ribs yet, the time is now. You’ll never spend precious processing time cutting out meat between ribs for the grind pile ever again.

Looking for more grilling tips? Check out these articles: When and How to Use Wild Game Marinades, Summer Grilling Tips, How to Make the Best Grilled Fish, and How to Grill a Whole Duck.