With COVID-19 causing disruptions in the meat production chain supply, there’s fear of grocery stores temporarily running low on meat products.
Months ago, we had planned out our blog post topics for the spring, not realizing how relevant a post on venison would be during a time like this.
We’ve always known that sustainable practices have major lifestyle benefits, but now we’re seeing how a sustainable lifestyle can help us navigate issues related to supply chains and other disruptions.
Eating venison is one way we’re able to live sustainably.
We’re sharing with you why adding venison to your diet is great for your health, the environment, and your wallet. Plus, we’ve included some tasty venison recipes, too!
Venison is the healthiest red meat.
Venison is the healthiest red meat: it contains less cholesterol, less saturated fats, and higher levels of protein. Because of its high protein levels, you’re able to stay fuller longer.
Wild venison is also free of additives that mass-industry beef contains.
It is organic and grass-fed, rather than the typical beef that’s pumped with hormones, antibiotics, and other chemicals.
Hear that sound? It’s your health cheering you on to add venison to your diet.
Venison is better for your wallet.
A typical adult deer provides around 80 lbs. worth of venison. That’s a load of meat that can last months!
When you compare this cost with the typical cost of beef at the supermarket, venison is a clear winner: $0.95 per lb. of venison meat vs. $4.23 per lb. of beef.
This cost comparison breaks down the price of a hunting license and other supplies you’d need to have for deer hunting versus purchasing a pound of beef at the store.
Eating venison is good for the environment.
This isn’t news: we humans disrupt the balance of nature.
Thanks to ever-widening cities and the original settler’s poaching habits, North American deer’s natural predators—bears, mountain lions, and wolves—have been reduced in number and relegated to only limited areas of the country.
With a lack of natural predators, deer are given the run of the forest—to the detriment of their own species, the other wildlife communities, and humans.
Without population control, deer are competing for finite resources within their habitat.
Additionally, research has shown that high deer numbers throw other parts of the ecosystem out of whack.
For example, “areas in the eastern U.S. with high deer numbers tend to have fewer birds that need forest shrubs. These species use low-lying foliage to hide their nests from predators and to hunt for insect prey. Unfortunately, these plants are also on the menu of the white-tailed deer.”
Take note of those traffic signs featuring a prancing deer: deer overpopulation raises the risk of traffic accidents. Think: severely dented cars that cost hundreds to repair… and sometimes, worse outcomes than lost money.
By adding venison to your diet, you’re playing your part to keep the deer population in check—a win for the environment.
Add these tasty venison recipes to your menu.
Whether venison is brand new to your palette or a longtime favorite, we’ve rounded up recipes we’re sure anyone would ask for seconds on.
Pan Roasted Venison from Jamie Oliver:
If it’s from a famous chef, you know it must be good.
For mouthwatering pan-roasted venison, let Jamie Oliver show you the ropes in this video.
Classic Jerky Recipe:
Venison jerky is the perfect snack—and a great way to preserve your venison.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 pounds venison
- 2/3 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 2/3 cup soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon honey
See the full Food Network recipe here.
Teriyaki Deer Jerky:
Jerky… but with a flavorful teriyaki twist. Yum!
INGREDIENTS:
- 1/2 Cup soy sauce
- 1/4 Cup mirin
- 2 Tablespoon sugar
- 3 coins fresh ginger, each ¼ inch thick
- 1 Clove garlic, crushed
- 1/2 Teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 Teaspoon black pepper
- 2 Pound venison, trimmed
See the full recipe from Traeger Grills here.
Smoked Venison Sausage:
The key to amazing flavor in this recipe is smoking the meat. Watch how we make our favorite smoked venison sausage!
Venison Sausage with Bay & Garlic:
This recipe had us at “bay and garlic.”
INGREDIENTS:
- 3 pounds venison
- 2 pounds fatty pork shoulder or belly
- 34 grams salt
- 4 grams Instacure No. 1 (optional)
- About 10 bay leaves, ground to a powder
- 6 to 8 cloves minced fresh garlic
- 10 grams ground black pepper
- 3 grams celery seed
- 1/4 cup red wine
- 1/4 cup ice water
- 20 grams dry milk powder (optional)
- Hog casings, about 12 to 15 feet
Slow Cooker Venison Roast
A tender roast sounds scrumptious right about now. And the slow cooker means you won’t have to spend hours in the kitchen preparing this.
INGREDIENTS:
- 3 pounds boneless venison roast
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon garlic salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 (1 ounce) package dry onion soup mix
- 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
Here’s where to purchase venison.
Deer hunting season won’t roll around for another few months. (If you’re local to Tennessee, here are the deer hunting seasons.)
But you don’t have to wait until next season to add venison to your diet! You can still find venison products available.
We recommend looking local first. Do a quick Google search for local butchers or meat markets in your area, then give them a call to see if wild venison is part of their offerings. (We realize some butchers may be closed altogether due to COVID-19 right now, but some may be offering curbside pickup or delivery.)
If you can’t find locally-sourced venison, Broken Arrow Ranch is a Texas-based, family-owned company that provides venison and other wild game products nationally. Their wild game is field-harvested, meaning the animals are truly wild and never rounded up and taken to a slaughterhouse, which induces stress in the animal and lowers the quality of meat.
You can learn more about Broken Arrow Ranch here.
RELATED READING:
