Venison Steaks

In our part of the Midwest, the deer hunting season is in full swing in late autumn. Whether you are a hunter or just enjoy the full flavor of venison, our favorite venison steak recipes make for simple, delicious fall dinners.

As a bonus, this recipe for cooking venison steak is a great way to use the grill after summertime—we like to grill year-round! If you’ve been gifted a bunch of venison for your freezer and need a quick refresher on how to get the best sear, here’s our guide to grilling to help get you started.

What’s the best way to cook venison steaks?

Our recipe for cooking venison steak draws from our favorite way to grill steak: Marinate the meat overnight, then cook it on a grill’s high heat to achieve a blackened, flavorful exterior and juicy interior. Venison steaks can be quite tender, especially if cooked quickly over high heat. Aim for medium-rare or medium, as overcooking venison can make it a bit tough.

Venison Steak Ingredients

• Olive oil: An olive oil-based marinade imparts lots of flavor and moisture into the venison. Since you will taste the difference, try to use a high-quality brand of olive oil here.
• Worcestershire sauce: This dark sauce delivers a savory, umami-rich burst of flavor to the venison steaks recipe.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic is zippy and aromatic. We use three cloves in this recipe for venison steaks, but feel free to use a couple more if you prefer more garlic flavor.
• Salt and pepper: When seasoning meat, it’s always best to work ahead of time so the salt has time to penetrate the meat and ensure it’s perfectly flavored.
• Venison steaks: This recipe calls for boneless venison steaks, about 6 to 8 ounces each.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the marinade

Josh Rink for Taste of Home

In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, Worcestershire, garlic, salt and pepper.

Step 2: Marinate the venison

Josh Rink for Taste of Home

Add the venison to the marinade and turn to coat. Cover the bowl with storage wrap or foil, and refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight.

Step 3: Grill the steaks

Josh Rink for Taste of Home

Preheat the grill to 350°F. Drain the venison, discarding the marinade. Grill the steaks, covered, over medium-high heat for four to six minutes, then flip to the other side. Toward the end of the cooking time, monitor the meat for the desired doneness. For medium rare, a thermometer should read 135°; for medium, 140°; and for medium-well, 145°.

Editor’s Tip: Take care not to overcook the venison steaks, which can make them a bit tough. Remember that the steaks will continue to cook for a few moments after being removed from the grill.

Step 4: Rest the steaks

Let the steak stand at room temperature for five minutes before slicing or serving.

Editor’s Tip: This may seem like an optional step, but resting meat actually helps make it juicy and tender.

Josh Rink for Taste of Home

Venison Steak Variations

• Change up the marinade: Lots of steak marinades will be tasty on venison steak too. A simple one is to mix olive oil with red wine vinegar, a squeeze of lemon, garlic and salt. The acid of the vinegar and lemon will take away some of the gamy flavor of the venison.
• Saute the venison: Don’t want to turn on the grill? Sear the marinated venison in a grill pan or cast-iron pan. Heat the pan over medium-high heat until very hot, then cook each side of the meat for five to seven minutes until the steaks reach the desired doneness.
• Add herbs or spices: Go beyond salt and pepper and shake on Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, spicy cayenne or red pepper flakes, or steak seasoning. Herbs like thyme, rosemary and parsley are tasty too. Sprinkle them over the steaks just before cooking.

How to Store Venison Steaks

Store cooked venison steaks in the refrigerator in a covered dish or in an airtight container.

How long do venison steaks last?

In the refrigerator, cooked venison steaks will keep for three to four days.

How do you reheat venison steaks?

Gently reheat venison steaks in a cast-iron pan on the stovetop. Warm a bit of olive oil, then add the steak and cover until heated through.

Venison Steak Tips

Josh Rink for Taste of Home

How do you prevent tough venison steaks?

The best ways to make tough meat tender include marinating the meat before cooking, taking care not to overcook the meat and resting it before slicing.

How else can you cook venison steaks?

You can also add a coating to venison steaks, as in this pan-fried venison recipe. Dredge the steaks in a beaten egg, then dip them in flour or bread crumbs before searing. This adds a flavorful coating that seals in moisture. If you have a different cut of venison, such as a roast or ground venison, try venison stew or meat loaf.

What can you serve with venison steaks?

Serve any of our favorite steak side dishes, like classic mashed potatoes and sauteed mushrooms, with a venison steaks recipe. Or, since venison is so lean, you can splurge with a richer side dish, such as au gratin potatoes. Gravy, steak sauce or herb sauce can offset the gamy flavor, especially if you’re serving venison to children or diners new to the meat. Vegetable side dishes are always a tasty option, even if it’s just a simple green salad.

Does venison steak taste like beef?

Even though both are called steaks, venison is different from beef. Wild deer are muscular and leaner than cows, which means their meat is healthier and less fatty. As a result, it can be tougher when cooked. But it has a richer flavor, with a hint of earthy gaminess.