The 10 Best Venison Meatball Recipes (Tender Deer Meatballs)
Looking for the Best Venison Meatball Recipes? Check out these 10 Delicious and Tender Deer Meatball deas that are sure to impress!
Why Choose Venison for Meatballs?
Choosing venison for your meatballs is not just about indulging in something unique – it’s also a healthier and more sustainable option.
Venison is leaner than traditional beef, offering a richer, deeper flavor that’s hard to beat. Combined with ground pork or ground beef, venison makes such tender meatballs.
Tips for Cooking Perfect Venison Meatballs
Cooking the perfect venison meatballs can seem tricky because how lean it is, but it isn’t as scary as it seems. Here’s a few tips to help you cook venison like a pro:
- Add a bit of fatty ground meat, like pork or ground beef, to keep the meatballs moist and tender.
- Be gentle with mixing and shaping to prevent them from getting tough. You can use a cookie scoop or ice cream scoop to perfectly shape the meatballs.
- Sear them in olive oil in a hot frying pan or bake them in the oven to lock in the juices before simmering in a sauce for extra flavor.
- To make a moist meatball, you’ll want to be sure to mix in a large egg and a binding agent like – bread crumbs, almond meal, or oat flour.
- Cook until the internal temperature of the meatballs reaches 165°F.
Venison Meatball Recipes
Classic Venison Meatballs in Marinara Sauce (with Ground Pork)
The Best Venison Meatballs Recipe. These are the best venison meatballs ever. They’re tender and meaty, but not gamey at all. You can make a big batch of them to use up that ground deer meat for the whole family to enjoy. Serve them with your favorite pasta sauce. (You can also switch out the ground pork for Italian sausage.)
Venison Bourbon Meatballs
With a smoky bourbon BBQ sauce, these BBQ Bourbon Venison Meatballs are perfect for your next party, picnic, or game day! Made with ground venison and smothered in a bourbon BBQ sauce, they’re a definite crowd pleaser! (These make perfect cocktail meatballs if you make them about the size of a golf ball.)
Savory Swedish Venison Meatballs (with Ground Pork)
These Venison Swedish meatballs are the best you’ll ever eat. Gently warmed with allspice and nutmeg and covered in a heavenly creamy sauce, then served with fluffy mashed potatoes or egg noodles.
Asian-Inspired Venison Meatballs
Easy Teriyaki Meatballs glazed with a homemade sauce, dusted with sesame seeds. Stick a toothpick in each meatball and you have a great party appetizer. Toss a few on top of some steamed rice and you have an easy weeknight meal.
The hoisin sauce on these meatballs adds moisture and a bit of sweetness – and just a great flavor in general.
Healthy Baked Venison Meatballs Recipe
Enjoy these Easy Baked Venison Meatballs with your favorite sauce and pasta for a hearty, comforting meal. They’re tender and meaty without any gamey taste.
A crowd-pleasing way to enjoy ground venison! Bake them on a rimmed baking sheet until they are golden brown.
Smoked Venison Meatballs
These Smoked Venison Meatballs are the perfect appetizer or protein for a main dish meal. The sweet & spicy glaze is heavenly with the kiss of smoke.
One Skillet Mississippi Venison Meatballs
The rich flavors from the pot roast recipe that we all know and love, in meatball form! These Skillet Mississippi Venison Meatballs are the ultimate comfort food to make all year round.
Greek Meatballs
These are not traditional Italian meatballs. They are Greek Meatballs – keftedes – with venison, but pork, lamb, beef or really any ground meat will work fine. Serve this with spaghetti and grated mizithra cheese, if you can find it. Pecorino or parmesan cheese is just fine, too.
Traditional Baked Venison Meatballs
These Traditional Baked Venison Meatballs are so tender they will practically melt in your mouth. Make a batch to use in pasta sauce, meatball subs, or serve them as appetizers.
How to Store and Reheat Venison Meatballs
Got leftovers? No problem! Storing your venison meatballs is easy—simply let them cool, then pop them into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days.
When you’re ready for round two, gently reheat them in their sauce on the stove over low heat or in the oven until they’re warmed through, ensuring they stay tender and delicious.
How to Freeze Venison Meatballs
For longer storage, freeze them in a single layer on a cookie sheet before transferring them to a freezer bag, and they’ll keep for up to three months.
Thaw the meatballs in the fridge overnight before using them.
Making a big batch of homemade meatballs (you can easily double or triple these wild game recipes) and freezing a portion is a great way to meal prep.
Pairing Suggestions: What to Serve with Venison Meatballs
Venison meatballs are incredibly versatile, so there’s a lot that you can pair them with.
For a classic touch, serve them on top of cheesy spaghetti with a rich tomato sauce and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. If you’re feeling more adventurous, try them over creamy buttermilk mashed potatoes, grits, or polenta.
Want to keep it light? Serve meatballs with a crisp, refreshing salad. Don’t forget a glass of red wine or a cold beer!
