If you’re on the hunt for venison backstrap recipes, look no further! This elk or deer backstrap recipe will give you a tender and flavorful venison steak that will leave your taste buds satisfied. Venison backstrap pairs perfectly with a simple green salad, smoked potatoes, or dill potato salad. Trust me, it’s a winning combination!
Venison backstrap, whether from an elk or deer, is the crème de la crème of game meat. It’s not only tender but also bursts with flavor. Some even argue that elk meat is even better than beef, and my husband wholeheartedly agrees.
Now, if you’re worried about the gamey taste that can sometimes come with wild meat, fear not! I’ll show you how to season and cook elk backstrap in a way that will make it taste absolutely amazing. It’s a simple marinade, but oh-so-good! And don’t worry, this recipe also works wonders with deer meat.
So, if you’re feeling adventurous and want to try something a little different, you should definitely check out my pan-seared elk steak recipe as well!
🧐 Why This Recipe Works
- This venison backstrap recipe requires minimal prep time and only takes a few minutes to cook.
- You can prepare venison backstrap at the last minute, after you’ve finished preparing your side dishes.
- Venison is a healthier alternative to beef or pork, as it isn’t loaded with hormones like store-bought meat.
- Backstrap is high in protein and low in fat, making it a nutritious choice.
🛒 What You Need For This Recipe
🔖 Recipe Ingredients & Substitutions
- Venison backstrap: This recipe calls for venison backstrap, which includes elk and deer. However, you can also use this marinade on other cuts of meat, such as buffalo, moose, and beef.
- Oil: You’ll need oil for the marinade. Feel free to choose from olive oil, avocado oil, or vegetable oil.
- Tallow: I like to cook the steaks in rendered beef fat, or tallow. However, you can also use butter or avocado oil.
- Worcestershire sauce: Add one tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce for an extra punch of flavor.
- Garlic: You’ll need fresh, crushed garlic. If you don’t have fresh garlic, you can use garlic powder as a substitute.
- Spices: The recipe calls for sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, but feel free to experiment with other spices like onion powder or a dash of cayenne.
- Herbs: Rosemary and thyme would complement the marinade perfectly. Feel free to add them if you want to take the flavor profile up a notch!
🥩 How To Cook Venison Backstrap
Prepare Marinade
- Whisk together the oil, Worcestershire sauce, crushed garlic cloves, sea salt, and black pepper in a small bowl or measuring cup.
- Thaw the venison backstraps and pat them dry with paper towels. Place them in a shallow dish and drizzle the marinade over them until they are fully submerged. Cover the dish with Saran Wrap or foil, and let the backstraps marinate for at least 4 hours.
Backstraps Cooking Instructions
- Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until it becomes smoking hot. Add a tablespoon or two of tallow or your preferred fat.
- Place 2 to 4 marinated steaks in the skillet (depending on the size of the pan and the steaks). Sear each side for 1 to 2 minutes. Once done, tent the steaks with foil and allow them to rest for at least 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
Pro Tip: Backstrap is one of the most tender cuts of meat, so be careful not to overcook it. Aim for rare to medium-rare. If you’re using a meat thermometer, remove the steaks from the pan when they reach 125-130°F.
🤷🏻♀️ Frequently Asked Questions
👩🏼🍳 Pro Tips
- To make things easier, I like to add venison backstrap and the marinade to a ziplock bag and freeze them together. That way, when I’m craving venison, all I have to do is thaw and cook it.
- Backstrap can also be prepared on a grill or in the oven, as long as it’s cooked using high heat for just a few minutes per side.
- Leftover backstrap can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 5 days.
- I highly recommend adding leftover backstrap to your breakfast burritos. It’s a great way to repurpose the delicious meat!
🍖 Related Recipes
If you’re in the mood for more game recipes, be sure to check out the ones below!
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