Venison stuffed pastry
If you’re new to cooking venison or looking to elevate your wild game dishes, you’re in the right place. Venison is lean, rich in flavor, and surprisingly versatile—if you know how to cook it right. Here’s a simple, foolproof guide to help you turn this prized wild meat into a tender, delicious stuffed venison meal every time.
Why Venison Deserves Special Treatment
Unlike beef, venison is naturally low in fat, which means it can dry out quickly if overcooked. The key to perfect venison? Low and slow cooking for tougher cuts, quick and hot searing for tender cuts, and knowing when to rest the meat.
Ingredients
- If you’re interested in cooking venison, whether you’re making ground venison recipes or a stuffed venison dish, start with 1 lb ground venison
- 8 oz cream cheese plain, softened at room temperature
- 1/2 medium onion chopped
- 1-2 jalapenos diced
- 2 package crescent rolls for your stuffed venison
- 1/4 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp cumin
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper more if you like spicy
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare cast iron pan lightly greased, especially if you are cooking venison for a stuffed venison dish.
- Season venison with chili powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper. Add some fat (bacon fat, lard or oil) and sauté onions and add in seasoned venison over medium high heat until cooked through. This is a key step when cooking venison.
- Drain any grease if needed.
- Transfer cooked venison to a large bowl with softened cream cheese, chopped jalapeno and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Combining cream cheese with venison is a delightful way of cooking venison.
- Take crescent rolls out of packaging and lay each one flat on your cast iron skillet or baking sheet. Spoon about 1/3 cup of filling onto each roll, until all 8 are filled evenly to make stuffed venison rolls.
- Fold each corner of the roll to the center and press down so it is securely closed. It is okay if there is some visible filling between corners.
- Place cast iron skillet or baking sheets in the oven for 8-12 minutes (or per package instructions) and remove from oven when the crescent rolls are golden brown. In no time, you can enjoy a mouth-watering treat of stuffed venison rolls.
Flavor Pairings That Work
Venison pairs well with earthy herbs like rosemary and thyme, sweet components like caramelized onions or berry reductions, and bold sauces like red wine jus or mushroom gravy.
Whether you’re pan-searing a backstrap or simmering a hearty venison stew, the secret lies in respecting the unique character of wild game. Treat it right, and venison will reward you with rich flavor and memorable meals.
