MeatEater’s Best Ground Venison Recipes

Maggie Hudlow Feb 6, 2024

Ground venison is a staple in every hunter’s diet. But the standard taco, burger, and spaghetti rotation can get a bit monotonous. If your grind pile got a little high last fall and you’re looking for creative ways to change up what’s cooking in your kitchen, here are some of our favorite ground venison recipes.

Meatloaf

This ain’t your momma’s meatloaf recipe. This is Steve Goshdarn Rinella’s meatloaf recipe. And it’s goshdarn good, too. With pinenuts, provolone, and some spinach for your health, this is a balanced meal, perfect for any occasion.

Sloppy Joes

In this simple and classic recipe, ground venison comes together in a sweet and tangy tomato sauce in a snap. Perfect for summer picnics or a quick-to-fix weeknight meal. Hope you like ‘em extra sloppy!

Venison Chili

Classic chili always has its place. With the addition of chipotle, poblano, and adobo pepper flavors, this recipe is a bit more flavorful and sophisticated than your run-of-the-mill chili. And if you want to mix it up a bit, try out these variations, too: smoked chili, bourbon chili, and hobo chili.

Shepherd’s Pie

Browned venison gets dressed up with sauteéd vegetables and coated in a luxuriously flavorful gravy. To make it even better, it’s topped with delightfully fluffy mashed potatoes and baked to golden perfection. This is comfort in a casserole.

Tater Tot Casserole

Is this tater-tot-topped wonder as Midwestern as bumping into someone and them apologizing? You betcha. But the mushroom gravy in lieu of canned-cream-of-something takes things to the next level. This hotdish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Dumplings

Looking to impress everyone at your next potluck? Try making venison dumplings. These are the perfect hors d’oeuvre. They are a labor of love, so make a big batch and keep some in the freezer for when you get those pesky take-out cravings.

Salisbury Steaks

You really can’t go wrong with a hamburger steak in brown gravy. Level it up by making a thick mushroom gravy and serve with whipped mashed potatoes. This “Midwestern Meatball” is sure to be a crowd favorite.

Smashburgers

If you’ve ever wanted to have the In-N-Out experience with wild game, this is the moment you’ve been waiting for. Check out Danielle Prewett’s technique for the ultimate wild game drive-in burger delight.

Thai Lettuce Cups

Don’t be put off, the lettuce is really just a vessel to deliver delicious meat filling to your face. Known in Thailand as “larb” or “laab,” this minced meat salad packs a serious umami punch and a tingly spicy kick.

Goulash

The OG Hamburger Helper. This hybrid of pasta, stew, and chili comes together in less than an hour with staples you likely already have in your pantry. A perfect meal when you just can’t bring yourself to go to the grocery store.

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Everyone loves a classic. And meatballs are such a great way to utilize ground venison. According to Danielle, the key to making a really delicious meatball lies in putting in a little extra effort, she spills all the secrets in the recipe. Looking for some variety? Check out these Greek meatballs.

Runzas

Runzas are as Nebraskan as Cornhusker football. Also called bierocks, these delicious dough pockets are a regional favorite. Essentially a cheeseburger in a tasty (and portable) dough pocket, they’re the perfect addition to your next tailgate.

Smoked Queso Dip

How do you make queso dip even better? Add browned ground venison and some smokey flavor. This recipe almost makes itself, so go ahead and pour yourself a margarita while this dip cooks on the smoker.

Enchiladas

Tacos are great, but enchiladas topped with Tex-Mex chili gravy are exceptional. So try swapping your weekly taco night with these Tex-Mex chili gravy-smothered enchiladas that come together in an hour.

Ground Venison and Red Pepper Soup

This Spanish-inspired stew was designed for busy weeknights when you need a healthy dinner on the table in 30 minutes. It’s also a great recipe to use ground turkey in, and the couscous can be swapped for any starch or grain in your pantry.

And before you get cooking, don't forget to check out these articles to ensure you're cooking the best possible ground venison: How to Properly Brown Ground Meat, Tips for Better Ground Venison, and Why Your Ground Venison Doesn't Taste Good.