Venison Tenderloin Recipe - Pan Seared Deer Tenderloin (2024)

FAQs

What do you soak deer tenderloins in? ›

Soaking: The most common soaking liquids are buttermilk, saltwater, white milk, vinegar, lemon juice and lime juice. While some hunters swear by certain soaking methods to take the “gamey” flavor away or bleed the meat after processing, others don't find it all that helpful.

Backstraps are the large muscles that run parallel along both sides of a deer's spine and rest on top of the ribcage, whereas the tenderloins are much smaller, and are located inside the abdominal cavity underneath the backstrap and the spine.

Venison doneness temperatures

You can cook the tender, steaky cuts of venison to the same doneness levels as you would beef, namely 130–135°F (54–57°C) for medium rare and 135–145°F (57–63°C) for medium. Hitting those temperatures just right is important for maximum enjoyment.

Pat the venison dry with some kitchen paper, and rub the oil mixture all over it. Sear the meat in a hot pan on all sides – roughly 6 minutes for medium rare, 7-8 minutes for medium, and you'd have to be a nutter if you wanted to cook it for any longer than that!

People have been soaking venison and other proteins in milk or buttermilk for years. The claim is that the acidic or low ph level helps to break down the tissue to tenderize the meat while also ridding the meat of a powerfully “gamey” or wild/iron-like flavor.

If those muscles are cut from the bone before the rigor mortis releases, they won't stretch back out, resulting in tight, or tough, cuts of meat.

Like any meat , Deer meat to is tenderized by beating it, by marinating it with mild acids like lemon juice, sour curd, buttermilk, vinegar etc for minimum 4 hours . The fibers need to be cut across if you cut along the fibers the meat will be tough and chewy.

The distinct game flavor of either birds or animals will be milder after soaking the meat overnight in the refrigerator in either a salt or vinegar solution.

Deer meat is rich in proteins, essential nutrients which are body-building foods. One of their biggest benefits is that they can help repair body tissues. Since protein is a building block for muscles, bones, cartilage, and skin, having enough protein in your diet will boost your muscle mass.

Description. Venison Tenderloin 1.2-1.5 lbs (550 gr-680 gr.) Venison Tenderloin is the filet mignon of venison! Venison Tenderloin is the same cut of meat that is called the Filet Mignon in beef.

What is the hidden tenderloin on a deer? ›

Nicknamed the hidden tenderloin, the eye-of-round is tucked inside the hindquarter. You'll find this long, cylindrical-shaped cut sandwiched between the top and bottom round, or alongside the femur. It's easy to distinguish and separates by pulling apart the fascia where it connects to other muscle groups.

Tender cuts of venison should be prepared using quick cooking methods to a rare or medium-rare level of doneness (internal temperature of 120° to 135° F). If it is prepared past medium-rare too much moisture will be cooked out causing the meat to become dry and tough.

Naturally tender cuts like loins and tenderloin take well to high heat grilling, pan searing, or stuffing and trussing and should be served rare to medium rare. Here's my recipe for how to cook Chili Cocoa Crusted Venison Loin. Tougher muscles from the shoulder, shank or neck should be braised or stewed slow and low.

Rib and loin (tender cuts): chops and steaks

Can use dry cooking method. Pan frying, broiling or grilling. Retain more juice if the cuts are no thicker than 3/4 inch. Cook steaks and chops quickly.

You can cook tender cuts on the stovetop, in a cast iron skillet (my favorite) with a few tablespoons of oil (such as duck fat, avocado oil or clarified butter, just NOT olive oil), we always enjoy grilling venison (or you can use a cast iron pan ON the grill, even better), or in the oven.

It's lean, don't over cook it

Venison is very low in fat and is best served medium-rare. This equates to an internal temperature of 57°C/135°F if you're using a meat thermometer.

Once your meat is seasoned or marinated, cook over medium-high heat until you achieve a nice sear on both sides. For the most tender venison, I recommend cooking to medium-rare or medium.