Juicy Venison Burgers

Venison burgers are super flavorful and juicy! Shake up your regular burger routine and make tasty and lean venison burgers on the stovetop or grill.

Suitable for low carb, keto, paleo, and gluten free diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.

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These juicy Venison Burgers are incredibly quick and easy to make – which means they are perfect for your busy weeknights, lazy lunches, or anytime the burger craving hits.

These are great served with some Sriracha Aioli, Yum Yum Sauce, Potato Wedges , Homemade Ketchup, or Crispy Air Fryer French Fries. Alternatively you could whip up some Juicy Air Fryer Burgers Instead.

What is a Venison Burger?

Venison burgers are burgers from ground venison instead of ground mince. Venison is very lean so it makes healthier burgers. Bear in mind that because venison is lean, it cooks very quickly so it is worth erring on the side of caution and cooking these burgers for less time than you think.

Why Make This Recipe

• Made with simple everyday ingredients you probably already have.
• They are juicy and easily customised with your favorite toppings.
• Easy to adapt with various spices.
• It is meal prep and freezer friendly.
• Dietary – without the buns, this is suitable for gluten free, low carb, paleo and keto diets.

Ingredient Notes

• Ground Venison – Ground venison has less fat which means less drippings. So you will need to add a little fat so that the burgers are not dry. See the next ingredient.
• Ground Pork – since venison is lean you would add to add some fat via ground pork.
• Flavorings – I am keeping this simple (but tasty) by using Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion power, salt and black pepper. One of my favorite combinations for burgers.
• Cheese – Sliced American cheese for topping the burgers. You can use 2 or 3 slices per burger depending on thickness.
• Burger buns – My preference is brioche buns as they offer a hint of sweetness, but use other buns to your taste.
• Optional fillings – choose your favorites from things like lettuce, tomatoes, mayo, pickles.

How To Make Venison Burgers

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

1.  Mix together venison, pork, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder and onion powder, salt and pepper in a mixing bowl and shape into 4 patties.
2. If cooking in a cast iron pan: preheat a cast iron pan with oil to medium, add burgers, and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side. To grill your burgers, preheat grill to medium high, oil grill grates, add burgers (with space between them),  and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side.
3. Just before they finish cooking on the second side, add cheese and let it melt before removing.
4. Allow the patties to rest for a few minutes, then build your burgers – try adding some Sriracha Aioli – and then serve.

Cook These In the Air Fryer

1. Preheat the air fryer to 350F / 180C.
2. Spray the air fryer basket and add the burger patties.
3. Cook for about 8-10 minutes, depending on your desired doneness and turn them halfway through cooking.
4. When done, switch off the air fryer, top each patty with cheese, close the Air Fryer and let cheese melt on the burger for 1-2 minutes.
5. Allow to rest for a few minutes then build your burgers, and serve.

Air fryer temperatures will vary depending on the make and model, so use the cooking time as a guide only and adjust as needed.

Deer Burgers Recipe Tips

• Make sure to break up the deer meat well, so you avoid having thick bits with no seasoning.
• Don’t over mix the meat, so that the burgers don’t come out crumbly.
• Leave space between the burgers so they cook evenly all over.
• If your Cast Iron Pan/ Grill / Air Fryer is small, you may need to cook the burgers in batches.
• Shape the ground venison into similarly sized burger patties so that they cook at the same rate.
• Feel free to toast the buns for an even better flavor.
• To keep these low carb and gluten free, skip the burger bun and serve with a salad or in lettuce wraps.

Delicious Variations

• Spice – Add spices to your taste into your burgers. See seasoning idea below.
• Heat – add some chipotle or red pepper flakes for heat.
• Make these smoky – by adding in some liquid smoke or smoked paprika.

Storage

• Prep Ahead – Assemble the burgers ahead of time and keep in the refrigerator for up to a couple of days until needed!
• Store – Store cooled cooked burgers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. 
• Reheat – Reheat cooked burgers in an Air Fryer preheated to 350F /180C for 3-4 minutes or until heated through.
• Freeze – Can you make a big batch of venison burgers for freezing? Yes, you certainly can. Double or triple the recipe, shape the burgers into patties and freeze individual burgers between baking parchment in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Defrost – Defrost overnight in the fridge, before cooking.

FAQs

How To Make Sure Your Burgers Are Not Dry?

Since venison is quite lean you need to add extra fat via things like pork fat in this recipe. You can also use things like drippings, diced bacon, etc.

What Temperature Should The Venison Burgers Be Cooked To?

Use an instant-read thermometer, make sure the internal temperature of 160F / 71C is reached.
If you want these medium, then cook to about 145F / 63C for medium. It is not recommended to cook it any less than 145F / 63C.

How long To Cook The Burgers For?

Cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of your burgers. Check the temperature and then, take off the heat and let rest for about 5 minutes before eating.

How Do You Make Venison Taste Good?

By adding a bit of fat to it, and adding spices (see below), and also making sure it is not overcooked.

What Spice Works With Venison?

Other spices you can use include cinnamon, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and chili powder.

How Much Fat To Add To Venison?

You want to add at least 15-20% fat to venison ratio to make the venison burgers juicy.

Where To Buy Venison?

Your best bet is to head over to your local butchers and ask for some. Some grocery stores will also have some.

Serving Suggestions

Other Venison Recipes

Weight Watchers Points

If you skip the buns, there are 9 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving.

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Print Recipe

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Venison Burgers

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Western

Diet: Gluten Free

Servings: 4

Calories: 666kcal

InstructionsCast Iron Skillet or Grill Method:

• In a bowl, mix together venison, pork, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper, then shape into 4 patties.

• If cooking in a cast iron pan: preheat a cast iron pan with oil to medium, add burgers, and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side.

• To grill: preheat grill to medium high, oil grill grates, add burgers (with space between them), and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side.

• Just before they finish cooking on the second side, add cheese and let it melt before removing.

• Allow the patties to rest for a few minutes, then build your burgers and serve.

Air Fryer Method:

• Mix together venison, pork, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper in a bowl and then shape into 4 patties.

• Preheat the air fryer to 350F / 180C.

• Spray the air fryer basket and add the burger patties.

• Cook for about 8-10 minutes, depending on your desired doneness and turn them halfway through cooking.

• When done, switch off the air fryer, top each patty with cheese, close the Air Fryer and let cheese melt on the burger for 1-2 minutes.

• Allow to rest for a few minutes then build your burgers, and serve.

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Notes

• Make sure to break up the ground meat well, so you avoid having thick bits with no seasoning.
• Leave space between the burgers so they cook evenly all over.
• If your Cast Iron Pan/ Grill / Air Fryer is small, you may need to cook the burgers in batches.
• Shape the ground venison into similarly sized burger patties so that they cook at the same rate.
• Feel free to toast the buns for an even better flavor.
• To keep these low carb and gluten free, skip the burger bun and serve with a salad or in lettuce wraps.
• Storage – keep in an airtight container inside the fridge for 3 days.
• If served without the buns, there are 9 WW BluePlan SmartPoints in one serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 666kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 262mg | Sodium: 853mg | Potassium: 464mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 922IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 288mg | Iron: 4mg