How Long Does Venison Last In The Freezer?

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Your freezer has a crucial role in your kitchen and home.

It allows you to keep food items fresh and ready-to-eat for longer periods of time.

However, not all foods are meant to be kept in the freezer.

Some types of food have limited shelf lives when they are stored in the freezer, while others need special care to prevent them from going bad or spoiling.

One such type of food that needs special care is venison.

If you are interested in knowing how long venison lasts in the freezer, this article will help you find out.

Venison Probed

How long does venison last in the freezer?

While there is no exact amount of time that venison can stay in the freezer, it can last up to two years.

However, it is recommended that you only freeze venison once every six months.

This helps ensure that the meat stays fresh and doesn’t go bad.

When defrosting venison, make sure to thaw it completely.

Thawing it partially means that some of the juice inside the meat could leak out during the process.

How do you properly store venison in the freezer?

To ensure that your venison stays fresh and doesn’t spoil, follow these tips:

  • Keep the temperature at 0 degrees Fahrenheit (or 32 degrees Celsius).
  • Store the meat in airtight containers.
  • Do not use plastic bags when freezing venison, as the moisture trapped inside the bag causes the meat to go bad faster.
  • Defrost the venison thoroughly after each use.

What is the ideal temperature for storing venison in the freezer?

As mentioned above, you want to keep the temperature of the freezer at zero degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius).

This ensures that the meat remains fresh and doesn’t go bad.

You should also avoid putting the meat directly in the fridge, since it will take longer for the temperature to drop down to the required level.

Instead, place the meat in the freezer compartment itself.

How often should you check on venison stored in the freezer?

It is recommended that you check on your venison every six months.

If you don’t, the meat may start to smell, and even turn green.

What are the signs that venison has gone bad in the freezer?

Some of the most common signs that venison has gone bad include:

  • A foul odor coming from the meat.
  • Greenish coloration.
  • Loss of its original shape.
  • Darkening of the meat.
  • Thickening of the meat.
  • Sudden increase in weight.

Is it safe to eat venison that has been stored in the freezer for a long time?

Yes! As long as you defrost it thoroughly, you can enjoy eating venison that has been stored in the freezer for a long period of time.

You just need to remember to check on it regularly so that it doesn’t get spoiled.

How can you tell if venison has been properly defrosted before cooking?

You should always defrost the venison thoroughly before cooking it.

Make sure that you remove all of the ice crystals from the meat by rubbing it with a towel or scraping it with a fork.

Once you are done, cook the meat using a pan or a grill.

Do not microwave it, as that method can damage the texture of the meat.

What are the best methods for cooking frozen venison?

There are several ways that you can prepare your venison.

Here are some of the most popular methods:

  • Fry it: Fry the meat until it is cooked through and crispy.
  • Grill it: Grill the meat over medium heat until it is fully cooked.
  • Bake it: Bake the meat until it is tender and juicy.
  • Broil it: Broil the meat until it is brown and crispy.

Cooking tips for venison

Before you begin cooking your venison, make sure to read through our guide on how to cook any type of meat.

How to cook frozen venison

Here are some simple steps you can follow to cook frozen venison:

  • Remove the meat from the freezer and let it sit for 10 minutes to defrost.
  • Cut the meat into desired portions and season it well. Use salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and other spices according to your taste preferences.
  • Place the seasoned meat on a baking sheet and bake it for 20 to 30 minutes on a low setting.
  • Transfer the meat from the oven and serve it immediately.

Tips for cooking venison

Follow these tips to ensure that you cook your venison correctly:

  • Make sure that the meat is completely defrosted before cooking.
  • Avoid microwaving it, as that method can cause the meat to dry out quickly.
  • Be very careful about handling the meat while cooking it.
  • Don’t overcook the meat. Cook it until it is fully cooked.
  • Use a pan or a slow cooker to cook the meat, rather than a stovetop burner.
How Long Does Venison Last In The Freezer? 1

How to reheat frozen venison

Reheating frozen venison isn’t difficult.

Follow these steps to reheat it:

  • Heat a frying pan over a medium flame.
  • Add oil to the pan and wait for the oil to become hot.
  • Put the meat into the pan and sear it until it starts to sizzle.
  • Turn off the heat and transfer the meat to a plate.
  • Cover the pan and leave the meat to continue cooking.

How to defrost frozen venison

Here are some simple steps you can follow to defrost frozen venison:

  • Wrap the meat in a clean cloth and put it in the refrigerator overnight.
  • Take the meat out of the refrigerator and allow it to return to room temperature.
  • Defrost the meat in the sink.
  • Drain the water from the sink and pat the meat dry with paper towels.
  • Refrigerate the meat again until it is fully defrosted.

How often should you check on venison stored in the freezer?

What are the best ways to thaw frozen venison?

After thawing frozen venison, you can either cook it right away or
marinate it first.

Here are some of the best thawing techniques:

Lay the meat on a cutting board and cover it with aluminum foil.

Let it

sit for 15 minutes.

Alternatively, wrap the meat in a clean dishcloth and place it in a
bowl filled with cold water.

Allow the meat to soak in the water for three hours.

After soaking in the water, move the meat to a colander and rinse
under running water.

Pat the meat dry with paper towels.

Let the meat cool to room temperature before serving it.

Venison Chili

Venison Chili Slow Cooker

Venison is a type of meat from any animal with antlers, such as deer, elk, caribou, or moose.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 5 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 5
Calories 440 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Slow Cooker

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound venison ground
  • 1 quarter teaspoon salt
  • 1 quarter teaspoon pepper
  • 1 quarter teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 cup chopped white onion
  • 1 minced jalapeno
  • 1 diced aneheim pepper
  • 1 chopped yellow bell pepper
  • 1.25 ounce Mccormick Chili Seasoning
  • 1 quart water
  • 14.5 oz. chopped tomatoes
  • 15 oz. drained black bean
  • 15 oz. can drain kidney beans
  • 6 oz. Tomato paste

Instructions
 

  • Brown the venison in a non-stick skillet over medium heat, seasoning it with salt, pepper, and onion powder as it cooks.
  • In the slow cooker, place the meat.
  • Combine the remaining ingredients in a mixing bowl.
  • Stir it well
  • Set the slow cooker for 8 hours on low.
  • Serve the chili in bowls with cheese and green onions on top and cornbread on the side.
  • Dig in!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 440kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 38gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 73mgSodium: 437mgPotassium: 1700mgFiber: 19gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 4711IUVitamin C: 23mgCalcium: 109mgIron: 10mg
Keyword Venison Chili Slow Cooker
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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