Venison Burger | Deer Burgers

These deer burgers are juicy, moist, and delicious. This recipe is fast and easy and utilizes a secret ingredient…… Learn how to cook perfect venison burgers.

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The Difference in the Location of a Herd Impacts the Quality of the Meat

We live in a basin three miles from Lake Ontario, which is very flat. Because Lake Ontario is so close to us, it moderates our temperatures. In the Spring, the Lake tortures us with breezes off the water, so it stays cooler here longer. We don’t get as many killing frosts in the Spring.

The effect of this is that we have miles and miles of orchards nearby because of the moderating effect of the Lake. Due to the topography and the orchards, our deer have to work less hard for food than deer that live in the mountains and hills south of us.

Our deer meat tastes like apples and is naturally mild-tasting and tender. When we hunt down south, we can taste the difference in the flavor and texture of the meat because that population works harder to find food and eats a lot of acorns and conifers.

So, where you source your venison can and does significantly impact on the flavor and texture of your venison.

Our region, along with many other regions in New York, has an overabundance of deer because of the lack of natural predators, as is evidenced by this article from the New York Department of Conservation. Therefore, it’s essential for the herd’s health, not to mention to drivers, to cull the populations.

Why Should You Make Venison Burgers?

There are several reasons why that making deer burgers is a good idea. First and foremost, venison is a lean and healthy source of protein. It contains less fat and calories than beef, making it an excellent option for anyone who wants to maintain a healthy diet.

Additionally, venison has a unique and delicious flavor that differentiates it from other meats. When prepared correctly, venison burgers are juicy, tender, and bursting with savory flavor.

Another reason to make deer burgers is that venison is a sustainable and eco-friendly choice. State and federal wildlife agencies manage wild deer populations, which helps to ensure the health of the animals and the ecosystem.

In addition, when you consume venison, you support ethical hunting practices and reduce your carbon footprint.

Finally, making deer burgers is a fun experiment with new flavors and ingredients. Venison pairs well with various toppings and seasonings, from classic cheese and bacon to exotic flavors like a blueberry compote or chipotle mayo.

Venison Burgers – the Secret Ingredient

We experimented with venison patties for many years before settling on one we liked.

We have tried mixing the ground venison with ground pork with minimal success. We find the venison is overdone before the pork is.

We’ve tried bacon, and although this is preferable (and let’s face it, what is bad with bacon??? 🙂 ), the bacon tends to overpower the delicate flavor of the venison. But there are lots of Venison Bacon Burgers on Google.

Some purists say you should use venison and no added fat.. We respect their opinion but respectfully disagree. You have very little room to obtain a juicy burger with deer meat. Your timing has to be spot on. They will dry out if you cook them for an extra minute, and the mouthfeel is inferior.

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We have experimented with these beef steak trimmings often and like this the best. It adds the needed fat content to the venison and does not overpower the flavor of the venison.

Just go to your local butcher and ask them for steak trimmings. They are happy to sell them to you, and our butcher charges only $1 per pound.

We use a ratio of about 80% venison and 20% steak trimmings.

What you need

• Ground Venison Meat: Substitute elk, moose, or antelope. We prefer a larger grind on the venison.
• Beef Steak Trimmings: Grind the trimmings more finely than the venison. Smaller pieces ensure the beef has a safe temperature to consume.
• Onion or Shallot: Grate the onion in the bowl with the meat. It saves time compared to chopping and sautéeing them. It also gives you the onion flavor without the chunks in your burger.
• Garlic: Grate the garlic into the bowl with the meat for the same reasons as the onion.
• Fresh parsley: Parsley will give the burgers a bright, fresh, “green” flavor.
• Fresh chives: Chives add some color and a mild onion flavor.
• Black Pepper: Use freshly ground black pepper for the best flavor.
• Kosher or Sea Salt: Add salt to taste.
• Oil or butter: Use whichever you like to fry the burgers.
• Hamburger Buns: Choose your favorite burger bun.

Most butchers will grind the meat if you don’t have a grinder. Just request to grind the steak trimmings smaller than the venison. This way, they will cook in the same amount of time.

Venison Burger Doneness Temperature

The recommended “done temperature” for ground venison is 160°F, according to USDA. This temperature will result in a well-done burger. We remove ours from the heat at about 140°F, which results in a medium rare burger.

Optional spices and seasonings to add to your burgers

• Onion Powder: Use this if you have no fresh onions.
• Garlic Powder: Use this if you have no fresh garlic.
• Worcestershire Sauce: This sauce gives the burgers a nice umami flavor.

More variations

There are many variations of deer burgers that you can try, depending on your taste preferences and the ingredients you have on hand. Here are a few ideas:

1. Classic Cheeseburger: Top your deer burger with your favorite cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion for a classic burger that never goes out of style.
2. Bacon Blue Cheeseburger: Add crumbled blue cheese and crispy bacon to your deer burger for a rich and indulgent flavor.
3. BBQ Bacon Burger: Top your deer burger with crispy bacon and tangy BBQ sauce for a sweet and smoky flavor.
4. Mushroom Swiss Burger: Sautéed mushrooms and melted Swiss cheese make for a savory and delicious topping for your deer burger.
5. Spicy Jalapeno Burger: Mix some diced jalapenos into your deer meat and top with pepper jack cheese for a spicy kick.
6. Greek Burger: Top your deer burger with feta cheese, kalamata olives, and tzatziki sauce for a Mediterranean-inspired twist.
7. Hawaiian Burger: Add grilled sliced pineapple, teriyaki sauce, and a dash of red pepper flakes to your deer burger for the islands’ sweet and savory taste.
8. Breakfast burger: Top your burger with fried eggs, scrambled eggs, and cheese.

These are just a few ideas. Experiment with different add-ons to find your perfect deer burger recipe!

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Great toppings for venison burgers

• Cheese: use your favorite cheese; some good ones are American, cheddar cheese, Swiss cheese, gouda, Havarti,  brie, etc.
• Lettuce: Shredded or lettuce leaves are good on burgers.
• Tomato: Sliced fresh, in-season tomatoes are the best.
• Bacon: Crisp the bacon to your liking before cooking the burgers.
• Slices of fresh or pickled onion: You could even use caramelized onions, which are delicious on burgers.
• Pickles or Relish: Sweet or dill pickles are good, depending on your preference.
• Mayonnaise: Use your favorite mayo.
• Mustard: Dijon, yellow, spicy, or sweet mustard are all good.
• Ketchup: Use your favorite ketchup brand, or make your own ketchup.

Pro tips for success

1. Grind fat smaller than the venison so that the venison doesn’t overcook.
2. Do not over-mix meat. It will become dry.
3. Cook over high heat.
4. Do not cook burgers over medium rare or medium at the very most. Burgers tend to be dry if they are overcooked. Target an internal temperature of 140°F.
5. If you have people that don’t like to see the pink in the meat. Let them rest for 10 minutes. They won’t have any more pink in them.
6. Let burgers rest for 5 minutes before serving.
7. Grating the onion directly into the bowl helps keep burgers moist and flavorful.

Want to learn more about How to Cook Venison? Don’t miss our awesome Ultimate Guide! Complete with 65 FREE Recipes from some of the top venison recipe developers in the world!

Tools I Use

• Meat grinder
• Mixing bowl
• cast iron frying pan

Other delicious venison recipes

• venison sausage
• tenderloin with blackberry red wine sauce
• braised venison shank
• venison stew
• Venison tacos

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Well, that’s how easy it is to make delicious this moist and juicy deer burger.

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I hope you enjoyed the recipe today.

Enjoy. And have fun cooking!

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