One of the common complaints from those unaccustomed to eating venison is that it has a distinctive “gamey” flavor. However, if you balance that flavor with complementary mix-ins and toppings, you’ll end up with a balanced, meaty dish every time. This venison burger recipe is just what you need to convince the venison-averse (or venison-curious!) folks in your life that it truly can be a delicious meat. It pairs venison’s earthy flavor with spicy jalapeno peppers, pepper jack cheese and a zesty citrus mayonnaise
Venison Burger Ingredients
- Ground venison: Venison (aka deer meat) is an incredibly lean meat. If you don’t have family or friends willing to share some of their venison with you, you should be able to find farm-raised venison sold by specialty butcher shops or online retailers.
- Green onions: Chopped green onions add a bit of mild onion flavor to every bite.
- Plain yogurt: Plain, full-fat yogurt adds some much needed fat to the burgers. Alternatively, you can substitute equal amounts of grated butter, beef fat or lard.
- Jalapeno pepper: Finely chopped jalapeno adds the perfect kick to these burgers. Wear disposable gloves when cutting hot peppers like jalapenos, as the oils can burn your skin. Be especially mindful to avoid touching your face (especially your eyes!) and wash your hands thoroughly after removing the gloves.
- Seasoning: Salt and pepper enhance the overall flavor of the burgers.
- Burger sauce: Don’t skip the special sauce! A tasty combination of mayo, Dijon mustard, lime and lime zest gives the burgers an extra pop of flavor.
- Cheese: Any burger is better with cheese melted on top! This recipe calls for spicy pepper jack, but you can use your favorite melting cheese instead.
- Hamburger buns: Use your favorite store-bought hamburger buns or make a batch of hamburger buns from scratch.
- Tomato slices: Fresh tomatoes complement the spicy flavor of these venison burgers.
Directions
Step 1: Make the burger sauce
In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, mustard, lime juice and lime zest. Cover the sauce and refrigerate it until serving.
Step 2: Make the patties
In a bowl, combine the onions, yogurt, jalapeno, salt and pepper.
Crumble the meat over the mixture and mix it well.
Shape the ground meat mixture into eight patties.
Editor’s Tip: We recommend shaping the patties into 3/4- to 1-inch burgers, so they cook quickly on the grill. However, if you prefer a larger burger, you can make six 1/3-pound burgers instead. Avoid making the patties thicker than an inch, since thicker burgers take longer to cook. Since venison is a lean meat, you’ll risk drying out the meat as the cooking time increases.
Step 3: Cook the burgers
Pan-fry, grill or broil the burgers over medium heat until a thermometer reads 160°F, three to five minutes on each side. Serve them on buns. Garnish the burgers with the cheese, burger sauce and sliced tomatoes.
Editor’s Tip: An instant-read thermometer is one of our kitchen must-haves. If you don’t already have one, the Thermapen One is our Test Kitchen’s favorite meat thermometer.
Venison Burger Toppings
- Cheese: These flavorful burgers pair well with strong cheeses like sharp cheddar, goat cheese or blue cheese.
- Caramelized onions: Sweet and savory caramelized onions are a classic burger topping that’s always a good idea.
- Sauteed mushrooms: The earthy, umami flavor of sauteed mushroom goes perfectly with venison burgers. Nearly any type of mushroom will do, but for the quickest cooking time, choose a smaller variety. For even more flavor, try garlic sauteed mushrooms.
- Crispy bacon: What’s not to love about adding crispy bacon to a burger? It gives each bite a little crunchy, salty and savory action. Pick up your favorite bacon brand and cook the bacon using your favorite method.
- Barbecue sauce: Skip the citrus mayo and slather on your favorite tangy barbecue sauce recipe instead.
How to Store Venison Burgers
Cooked venison burgers can be safely stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for three to four days. To reheat the burgers, place them on a baking sheet and warm them in a 350° oven for about 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
How to Freeze Venison Burgers
Freezing uncooked venison burger patties is a great make-ahead meal idea. Form the patties according to the instructions. Place each patty on a square piece of waxed paper or parchment paper. Stack the burgers on top of each other, and freeze them in a freezer-safe bag for up to three months. Before cooking the burgers, allow them to thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then cook them as directed in the recipe.
Venison Burger Tips
How else can you cook venison burgers?
While we love cooking them on the grill, venison burgers can also be pan-seared in a hot skillet with a little oil, which provides a nice crust on the outside while keeping the meat juicy inside. This venison burger recipe can also be cooked on a stovetop or electric griddle, and can be broiled in the oven or baked on a sheet tray. Each way to make hamburgers results in a slightly different texture compared to grilling—but they are all delicious.
What can you serve with venison burgers?
All of your favorite burger sides also go great with venison burgers. Some of our favorite pairings include steak fries, macaroni and cheese and pasta salad. Even more tasty options include oven-roasted vegetables, baked beans and crispy fried onion rings.
