These Venison Burgers are packed with delicious flavor and nutrients, making them the perfect choice for a wholesome family dinner. They come together quickly and easily for busy days. Enjoy a lean, protein-rich dish that satisfies your taste buds while supporting your family's health goals.
Venison is not only a delicious alternative to traditional beef, but it's also incredibly healthy. This nutrient-dense, lean meat is rich in protein, iron, and essential vitamins, making it an excellent choice for a balanced diet. For this recipe, I used Maui Nui Venison, a sustainable and ethical source of meat. Maui Nui Venison is responsibly harvested, helping to address Hawaii's axis deer overpopulation problem, and is conveniently shipped directly to your door frozen and in a cooler, ensuring freshness. Even my kids enjoy meals made with Maui Nui Venison and can’t tell the difference from beef, proving that healthy eating can be both tasty and family-friendly.
If you're on the lookout for a meal that fits into a variety of dietary lifestyles, this Venison Burger recipe is a perfect match. These burgers are not only gluten-free and grain-free, but they're also low-carb and keto-friendly, making them an ideal choice for those following specific dietary plans. Packed with high-quality protein, they provide the nourishment your body needs without compromising on taste or health. Enjoy a satisfying and versatile meal that supports your nutritional goals while delighting your taste buds.
Serve Venison Burgers with American Cole Slaw, Watermelon Basil Salad or House Salad for a balanced meal everyone will enjoy.
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Ingredients
Here's what you need to make Venison Burgers:
- Ground venison, thawed according to package directions if using frozen - I used Maui Nui Ground Venison, but any ground venison will work here.
- Worcestershire sauce - find a bottle of this in the sauce aisle at the store.
- Salt - I prefer sea salt but any regular table salt, pink Himalayan salt or Kosher salt works here.
- Black pepper - use your choice of ground black pepper or freshly ground black pepper.
- Garlic powder - find this on the spice aisle.
- Onion powder - find this on the spice aisle.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Here's how to make Venison Burgers:
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine ground venison with the Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder.
- Step 2: Divide the meat mixture into 4 equal portions and shape them into patties, ensuring they are even in thickness.
- Step 3: Preheat your grill (or frying pan) to medium-high heat and cook each burger patty for 4-5 minutes per side, or until they reach your desired level of doneness. Once cooked, if desired, add a slice of cheese on top of burger patty and allow to cook for 2-3 minutes, until melted.
- Step 4: Allow the patties to rest for a 5 minutes after grilling, then serve them with your favorite toppings and sides.
Hint: To prevent the venison burgers from sticking to the grill (or pan), make sure to preheat the grill thoroughly and lightly oil the grates before cooking. This will create a non-stick surface and ensure that your burgers cook evenly without tearing or sticking.
Substitutions
Want to substitute an ingredient in Venison Burgers? Here's how:
- Ground venison - substitute an equal amount of a different ground meat such as chicken, turkey, pork or beef for the ground deer meat. Ensure you reach an adequate cooking. temperature based on the meat you're using.
- Worcestershire sauce - use an equal amount of coconut aminos or steak sauce in place of the Worcestershire sauce.
- Garlic powder - use 1-2 cloves minced fresh garlic in place of the garlic powder.
- Onion powder - use ½ an onion, finely diced, in place of the onion powder.
Variations
Try one of these variations of these juicy Venison Burgers:
- Spicy - add ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes and/or 1 finely diced jalapeno to the meat mixture for Spicy Venison Burgers.
- Cheese - add ½ cup of shredded cheddar, pepper jack or another type of cheese to the meat mixture prior to forming patties for a more flavorful burger.
- Gluten-free - many brands of Worcestershire are indeed gluten-free, but be sure to check the label to verify your brand does not contain any gluten.
Equipment
This equipment comes in handy when making this Venison Burgers recipe:
- grill or frying pan
- grill spatula
- meat thermometer
Storage
To store leftover Venison Burgers, allow them to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container and placing them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When reheating, gently warm the burgers in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave, being careful not to overcook to maintain their juiciness and flavor.
You can freeze both raw and cooked venison burgers. If freezing raw, shape the patties and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then freeze until solid before transferring to a freezer-safe bag or container. If freezing cooked burgers, allow them to cool completely before packaging. When thawing, place raw patties in the refrigerator overnight to thaw before cooking, and for cooked patties, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator or reheat them from frozen on a skillet over low heat until warmed through.
Top tip
For perfectly cooked venison burgers, aim for an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature in the center of the patties to ensure they are safe to eat and retain their juicy texture.
FAQ
To keep venison burgers from falling apart, try adding a binding agent like a beaten egg or breadcrumbs to the meat mixture. Additionally, make sure the patties are well-chilled before grilling, and avoid flipping them too frequently to help maintain their shape.
Venison doesn't have to be cooked well done, but it should reach an internal temperature of at least 160°F (71°C) to ensure it's safe to eat. Cooking it to this temperature ensures it remains juicy and flavorful without being overdone.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this Deer Burger recipe? Try these:
Pairing
Serve Venison Burgers with one of these side dishes for a balanced meal the whole family will love:
Recipe
Venison Burgers
Equipment
- 1 grill (or frying pan)
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground venison
- 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground venison with the Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder.
- Divide the meat mixture into 4 equal portions and shape them into patties, ensuring they are even in thickness.
- Preheat your grill (or frying pan) to medium-high heat and cook the patties for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they reach your desired level of doneness. Once cooked, if desired, add a slice of cheese on top of burger patty and allow to cook for 2-3 minutes, until melted.
- Allow the patties to rest for a 5 minutes after grilling, then serve them with your favorite toppings and sides.
Shannon
Oh so good!