The term “deer” probably doesn’t instantly associate with gourmet dishes such as venison and beef tenderloins in your mind.
However, there are many reasons to enjoy this type of meat, especially if you live in an area where deer are plentiful.
This article will help you learn more about how to cook deer tenderloin and what to look out for when preparing this tasty treat.
What is the best way to cook deer tenderloin?
Tenderloin refers to the muscle that runs along the spine of the animal.
Tenderloin can be cut into steaks, or it can be used as part of other dishes such as prime rib.
The most common way to cook deer tenderloin is to grill it outdoors over medium-low heat.
This method results in a juicy steak with a nice char on the outside while keeping the inside succulent.
If you want to try something different, you might want to consider roasting your deer tenderloin.
Roasted tenderloins have a much better flavor than grilled tenderloins, plus they also tend to be juicier.
You can easily make a whole roast tenderloin by cutting it into smaller pieces and putting it in a single layer on a baking sheet.
If you aren’t sure whether your oven has enough room to fit a whole tenderloin, you can always just put the pieces on top of each other.
You should also check out our guide to the best outdoor fire pit ideas.
These types of cooking fires are great because they allow you to cook food that would normally require a lot of fuel, like a whole deer tenderloin.
Once you’ve cooked your tenderloin in the outdoor fire pit, you can finish the meal off by grilling it up again.
In addition to tenderloin, you may also find recipes for cooking elk liver, antler soup, and even wild boar.
All of these meats are incredibly tasty, so you won’t be disappointed if you decide to give any of them a try.
How do you cook deer tenderloin?
Deer is a very lean meat, so it must be cooked properly before being eaten.
If you want to avoid any food poisoning, you should always use fresh ingredients and follow proper cooking methods.
There are two different types of deer tenderloin that can be prepared using either method.
The first kind comes from the loin muscle on the backside of the animal.
It’s usually sold whole, with the bone cut off and only the meat left behind.
This meat is often referred to as a “whole loin” or “backstrap”.
You can find some recipes for this type of tenderloin below.
Roast Deer Loin (with Balsamic Vinegar)
Baked Deer Tenderloin
The second type of tenderloin comes from the loin muscle on the front side of the animal.
This meat is often sold as a “T-bone”, which includes both the top and bottom pieces of the tenderloin.
These muscles have a lot less fat than the ones found on the backside of the animal, making them perfect for grilling or pan frying.
If you’re looking for a recipe for this kind of tenderloin, we’ve got you covered!
Grilled T-Bone Steaks
To make these steaks, you’ll need to get your grill going and then season the meat with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Next, lay each steak down flat on the grill and let it cook for about 5 minutes per side.
After that, flip them over and repeat until they reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pan Fried T-Bone Steak
You can also make these steaks by pan frying them instead of grilling them.
To do this, heat up 1 tablespoon of oil and sear the meat on all sides until browned.
Then, pour in 2 tablespoons of flour and mix well to coat the meat.
Cook the meat for another minute, then add 3 cups of water and bring the mixture to a boil.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 30 minutes.
Remove the pan from the stove and serve hot.
What is the best temperature to cook deer tenderloin?
Deer tenderloin is a lean cut that can be found on the underside of the deer (it is also sometimes referred to as a loin or belly).
It has a very mild taste and is often used in recipes with other strong flavors, such as tomatoes, onions, garlic, and peppers.
To prepare this cut of meat, you should first remove the bones and sinew from it.
This is done by slicing along either side of the spine bone until you reach the main spine bone.
Then, pull the meat away from the spine bone and remove any remaining sinew.
Finally, slice the meat into thin strips.
If you have never cooked deer before, you might be wondering what the best temperature to cook it at is.
The answer to this question depends largely on how you plan to use your tenderloin.
If you want to make it into a stew, then you should cook it at around 225°F / 110°C for 20 minutes.
But if you want to serve it as part of a larger meal, it’s better to cook it for less time so that it doesn’t dry out too much.
You can also ask yourself if you want to eat it cold or warm.
If you choose to eat it cold, then it’s best to keep it below 165°F / 74°C because it will become tough and chewy.
On the other hand, if you decide to eat it warm, then you should cook it at around 175°F/ 79°C.
You should also note that different cuts of deer require different cooking times, so you won’t always end up with tenderloin.
How long should you cook deer tenderloin?
Deer tenderloin is extremely lean, so it’s important that you choose the right cooking method.
The tenderloin can be cooked by any number of methods, including grilling, roasting, broiling, or pan-frying.
You can also make it into a stew or soup.
The most common way to cook deer tenderloin is to roast it.
Roast it on top of the stove with a little oil or toss it in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (205 Celsius).
This method works best when you have a large enough piece.
If you cut your tenderloin too small, you won’t get all the flavor you want from it.
You may also use a slow cooker to cook your tenderloin.
You’ll just need to add some extra time to account for the fact that the meat takes longer to cook than other cuts of meat.
It’s also worth noting that you should never boil deer tenderloin.
This causes the meat to lose its moisture, which makes it dry and tough.
If you’d prefer to grill your tenderloin, you can go ahead and cook it outside over a charcoal fire.
Just make sure that you let the meat sit for 10 minutes after you remove it from the heat.
This allows the juices to settle back inside the meat and prevents it from drying up.
Of course, you aren’t limited to these cooking methods.
You can also bake your tenderloin, but only if you have a cast iron skillet.
Place a rack in the bottom of the skillet and then place your tenderloin on top of it.
Add water to the bottom of the skillet until it comes halfway up the sides of the tenderloin.
Bake the tenderloin at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 C) for 45 minutes, turning it occasionally during the cooking process.
To make a tenderloin stew, you’ll need to brown the meat first.
After you’ve done this, you’ll want to remove the excess fat.
Next, you’ll transfer the meat to a pot and pour in some broth.
This will allow the flavors to infuse throughout the whole dish.
Finally, you should take care not to overcook your tenderloin.
When you remove it from the oven, take the meat off the heat as soon as possible.
You can leave it in the oven to finish cooking for a few more minutes, but this isn’t necessary.
What are some tips for cooking deer tenderloin?
Deer is not just one kind of meat.
There are different types that vary by species, gender, age, size, etc.
One of these types is deer tenderloin.
Tenderloin is a lean cut from the loin region of the deer.
It is usually only available in large pieces, so it’s best cooked as steak or sliced thin and served with vegetables.
If you have never tried deer before, you might be surprised at how delicious it tastes.
The meat has a deep flavor, which comes from its high fat content.
The fat helps keep the meat moist while cooking.
However, if you are new to deer, you should make sure to follow these tips on how to cook deer tenderloin:
Use a meat thermometer to ensure your food doesn’t over-cook.
Make sure to marinate your deer tenderloin in a flavorful liquid such as soy sauce or wine.
You can sear your deer tenderloin on the stovetop to add some extra flavor.
Cooking time recommendations for deer tenderloin
The cooking time depends on how big your deer tenderloin is and how much you want it to be done.
You should start checking it after the first 15 minutes of cooking.
For example, if you plan on cooking a 2 pound (907 g) piece of deer tenderloin, you will need to let it simmer for 45 minutes at medium heat until it reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63 C).
You can also use an instant read meat thermometer to check the temperature of your deer tenderloin.
This way, you won’t get burned waiting for the thermometer to reach the desired temperature.
To avoid overcooking, you can always remove it from the heat source and cover it up for 10 minutes.
Then, you should let it rest for another 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
How do you know when deer tenderloin is cooked?
The biggest issue with cooking deer tenderloin is that it takes quite a long time to cook.
A whole deer can take up to two hours to be fully done, which means you have to plan ahead.
However, once you get your hands on some tenderloin, you’ll notice that it cooks very quickly.
Tenderloin typically needs around 15 minutes per pound on the grill or stovetop, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble getting it ready to eat as soon as possible.
Don’t overcook tenderloin
One of the most common mistakes people make when they cook deer tenderloin is that they don’t properly monitor the temperature of their meat.
You should never leave your tenderloin sitting in the oven, because it could burn before you realize it.
Instead, you want to cook it until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63.3 Celsius), which will allow you to serve it safely without worrying about food poisoning.
Watch for signs of doneness
As you’re cooking your tenderloin, you’ll need to pay attention to its color.
The meat should turn from pink to light red, and then reach a medium-rare stage.
When you see the color change, stop cooking it and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before serving.
If you aren’t sure how much longer it needs to cook, you can always check its internal temperature again.
This way, you won’t end up overcooking your tenderloin.
Is it better to cook deer tenderloin rare or well done?
The answer to this question is simple – it depends on your personal preference.
If you prefer your food cooked medium-rare (or even medium), then you should choose the latter option.
But if you want something that is more well-done, then you may want to go with a slightly higher temperature.
For example, if you choose to cook the meat at 145°F, it will be well done after 20 minutes.
This is because of the high amount of connective tissue found within the meat.
It can take up to 30 minutes to fully cook at this temperature, so you might want to consider using a digital thermometer to monitor the process.
If you decide to cook the meat at 150°F, then it should be done after 15 minutes.
The reason behind this is the same as the first one mentioned above, but the difference here is that the meat has less connective tissue than the other option.
However, if you choose to cook the meat at 155°F, then you will have to leave it in longer.
In fact, it should be ready after 35 minutes.
This is due to the fact that the fat content decreases when cooking it at this temperature, which means that the connective tissue doesn’t get as tough as it would otherwise.
In addition to all this information, you should also make sure that you cut the meat into thin slices before cooking.
Otherwise, the texture won’t be as good.
It is important to note that some cuts of deer tend to be much tougher than others.
Therefore, if you plan to cook a whole deer leg, you will probably have to use a lower temperature than if you were to cook only the tenderloin portion.
Cooking tips
You can increase the flavor of your dish by adding herbs or spices to the pan during cooking.
Make sure you buy fresh deer tenderloin for best results.
Slicing the meat thinly will ensure that it cooks evenly.
What should you do if your deer tenderloin is overcooked?
Deer tenderloin can be quite tricky to prep because it has a very thin skin that doesn’t hold up well to cooking methods such as frying or grilling.
Because of this, it is best prepared by roasting or braising.
If you want to try one of these methods, here’s how you can roast a deer tenderloin.
Preheat oven to 450°F/230°C (gas mark 8).
Season both sides of the deer tenderloin with salt and pepper.
Put the tenderloin on a rack set over a baking sheet.
Roast at 450°F/230°C until the internal temperature reaches 145°F/63°C for medium-rare.
If you want to use another method, here’s how you can braise a deer tenderloin.
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the onion and sautee until softened.
Add the garlic and sautee for 1 minute.
Add the thyme and rosemary and stir to combine.
Add the wine and stock and bring to a boil.
Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.
Remove from the heat and add the butter.
Let the mixture cool slightly before placing the tenderloin into the liquid.
Cook in the liquid at 250°F/120°C for 20 minutes per pound (455g) of tenderloin.
The above recipe uses two different cooking methods, so let’s take a closer look at how to make cornbread.
Bacon-Wrapped Venison Tenderloin with Garlic Cream Sauce
Ingredients
- 6 thick bacon
- 2 tenderloin 3/4 pound
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- salt
- pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 mushrooms 8 ounce
- 2 garlic
- 1 tablespoon green onion
- ½ cup whipping cream
Instructions
- Set the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees C). On a baking pan with slots, arrange the bacon strips.
- Bake bacon in a preheated oven for 6 to 8 minutes, or until it is partially cooked but still flexible.
- Olive oil should be used to coat the venison tenderloins before seasoning with salt, black pepper, and onion powder. Place two tenderloin roasts side by side and enclose them in bacon strips that have just partially cooked. Put the object in the roasting pan.
- After the bacon has begun to brown, roast in the preheated oven for about an hour, or until an instant-read meat thermometer placed into the thickest portion of the tenderloin registers at least 145 degrees F (65 degrees C).
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and the garlic; cook and stir for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the mushrooms are tender. Add green onion and mix. Add the cream and heat through while stirring often. Serve the tenderloins with sauce.
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