Ground Venison Burgers

Total Time

Prep/Total Time: 30 min.

Makes

8 servings

Updated: Jun. 30, 2023
Even folks who aren't fans of ground venison recipes will enjoy these zippy venison burgers, deliciously topped with pepper cheese and a cool lime-mustard mayonnaise. My son, who's an avid hunter, gave me this super recipe. —Jerry Honeyager, North Prairie, Wisconsin
Ground Venison Burgers Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon grated lime zest
  • 1/3 cup chopped green onions
  • 3 tablespoons plain yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped jalapeno pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 pounds ground venison
  • 8 hamburger buns, split
  • 8 slices pepper jack cheese
  • Tomato slices, optional

Directions

  1. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, lime juice, mustard and lime zest; cover and refrigerate until serving.
  2. In a bowl, combine the onions, yogurt, jalapeno, salt and pepper. Crumble meat over mixture and mix well. Shape into eight patties.
  3. Pan-fry, grill or broil over medium heat until a thermometer reads 160°, 3-5 minutes on each side. Serve on buns; top with cheese, mayonnaise mixture and sliced tomatoes, if desired.
Venison Burgers Tips

How thick or thin should you make venison burgers?

This recipe turns two pounds of ground venison into eight 1/4-lb. burgers. We generally shape the patties into 3/4- to 1-inch burgers, so they cook quickly on the grill. However, if you want a larger burger, you can make six 1/3-lb. burgers instead. We don’t recommend making the patties much thicker than an inch. Thicker burgers take longer to cook, and since venison is a lean meat, you’ll risk the meat drying out as the cooking time increases.

What other toppings can you put on venison burgers?

Venison has a distinct earthy and slightly gamey flavor that pairs well with a citrus mayonnaise, spicy jalapeno peppers and pepper jack cheese. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t make these venison burgers your own! Try using the ingredients from your favorite burger recipes, like sharp cheddar or blue cheese, or topping the burgers with caramelized onions, sauteed mushrooms and crispy bacon. For a real twist, add a tangy barbecue sauce plus more delicious burger toppings into the mix.

How else can you cook venison burgers?

Apart from grilling, venison burgers can be pan-seared in a hot skillet with a little oil, providing a nice crust on the outside while keeping the meat juicy inside. They can also be cooked on a stovetop or electric griddle, broiled in the oven or baked on a sheet tray. Each cooking method yields a slightly different texture compared to grilling, but they will all be delicious.

How do you store venison burgers?

Cooked venison burgers are good for 3 to 5 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They can be reheated in a 350° oven for about 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Can you freeze venison burgers?

Freezing venison burgers before cooking them is a great idea. Form the patties according to the instructions, and place each one on a square piece of waxed paper or parchment paper. Stack the burgers on top of each other and freeze in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Before cooking, allow the burgers to thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

—Lindsay Mattison, Taste of Home Contributing Writer
Peppers (Hot)
Wear disposable gloves when cutting hot peppers; the oils can burn skin. Avoid touching your face.

Nutrition Facts

1 each: 442 calories, 22g fat (8g saturated fat), 130mg cholesterol, 685mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 37g protein.