
What is venison Tenderloin?
Venison loin, also known as the backstrap, runs along the backbone of the deer, while the tenderloin is found inside of the rib cavity. If you came here hoping to find a venison tenderloin recipe, don’t fret.
Is venison loin the same as backstrap?
Venison loin is also known as the backstrap, which is a long strip of meat that runs along the spine. This is NOT the tenderloin, which is a very small, and exceptionally tender strip of meat found inside the cavity of the deer. What is the best cut of venison for roasting?
What are the characteristics of venison meat?
Qualities. Venison may be eaten as steaks, tenderloin, roasts, sausages, jerky, and minced meat. It has a flavor reminiscent of beef, but is richer and can have a gamey note. Cuts of venison tend to have a finer texture and be leaner than comparable cuts of beef. However, like beef, leaner cuts can be tougher as well.
What part of the deer is venison?
Venison. Venison is the meat of a deer. Venison can be used to refer to any part of the deer, so long as it can be consumed, including the flesh and internal organs. Venison, much like beef, is categorized into specific cuts, including roast, sirloin, and ribs .

What cut is loin of venison?
The sirloin has lots of silver skin and connective tissue, making it a good choice for slow cooking. It can also be sliced for making sirloin jerky or braised for a tender and delicious meal. The sirloin is one of the most tender cuts of venison.
What part of the deer is the loin?
The loins are the most highly accoladed venison cut, and for good reason. These are the muscle bands that set along either side of the spine, extending from the bottommost vertebra up to the scapula. To harvest each one, cut along the spine starting by the scapula and working down to the last vertebra.
Is venison loin the same as tenderloin?
Tenderloins are the two strips of very tender meat under the loin, behind the ribs. This is filet mignon in beef. For general tips on cooking venison steak, here is an article on the subject I wrote for Petersen's Hunting. Below are the venison backstrap recipes I enjoy.
Is deer loin the same as backstrap?
Backstrap is a term typically used when referring to deer, elk, moose and other wild game. It's the length of the loin on the back of those animals. Some think backstrap and tenderloin are the same thing but they're actually not. Tenderloins are two strips of meat underneath the loin and behind the ribs.
Which is the best cut of venison?
What Are The Best Cuts Of VenisonBack Strap. Our favorite cut of venison is the backstrap. ... Tenderloin. The tenderloin is one of the most popular cuts, but unfortunately, it is a lot of work to remove from the deer. ... Spare Ribs. ... Foreleg and Shoulder. ... Neck. ... Rear Leg and Rump. ... Trim.
Which part of deer meat is best?
The inner loin is the most tender part of the deer, giving you a succulent and delicious piece of meat that can be grilled with as little doctoring as possible, often just some salt and pepper. The backstraps are also a popular source for steaks, and like the loins, they are often cut out and grilled right at the camp.
What are the different cuts of venison?
The four main cuts are the Topside, Knuckle, Silverside and Rump. Cook First Light venison leg steaks cook hot and fast and match with one of First Light venison's great friends — earthy like mushrooms, sweet like blueberries.
Why is my deer tenderloin tough?
"Freshly butchered venison — especially when it is in rigor mortis — will be super tough," Cihelka said. When rigor mortis sets in, the animal stiffens. Hanging the animal prevents the muscles along the spine from shortening. This is why backstraps and tenderloin are tender.
What cut of venison is best for stew?
The best cuts for stew meat exist on the front legs and lower part of the back legs. The stringy nature of these non-prime cuts, along with their tendons, fibers and gelatinous membranes between muscle fibers, add character to the stew's favor, as well as fullness to the gravy.
Are Backstraps good?
While they aren't the same as a tenderloin, they are considered one of the most tender cuts of meat of a deer. Backstraps would equate to the same cut of meat we commonly call ribeye in beef and loin in pork cuts. These two cuts of meat are some of the most desirable due to their tender nature.
How do you remove deer tenderloins?
0:071:34Deer Processing: How to Remove the Tenderloins - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCome right to the tip of that. We can just work them out to the outside. Again this is super tenderMoreCome right to the tip of that. We can just work them out to the outside. Again this is super tender meat so a lot of times you can push these off with your thumb.
Where is the tenderloin on a whitetail deer?
True tenderloins are found INSIDE the deer's abdominal cavity, and they are delicious. Much smaller than backstraps — only about 10 to 12 inches — tenderloins are located beneath the spine, making them more difficult to reach. The only way to reach tenderloins is by field-dressing the deer and cutting them out.
What is the thing on deer's head called?
AntlersAntlers are extensions of an animal's skull found in members of the Cervidae (deer) family. Antlers are a single structure composed of bone, cartilage, fibrous tissue, skin, nerves, and blood vessels. They are generally found only on males, with the exception of reindeer/caribou.
What is the leader of a herd of deer called?
Alpha Does. Deer are social animals, and females travel together in herds. Each social group is led by a matriarchal female, according to the website Mississippi Sportsman. This alpha doe is in charge of the herd, and warns the others when danger is approaching by snorting loudly or stamping her front hoof.
What is a dominant buck called?
The Alpha buck is dominant both psychologically and socially. He knows he is the biggest “badest” deer in the herd. He is confident and controls the other bucks through intimidation. Rarely does he engage in a physical fight with other members of the herd.
Venison Loin vs Venison Tenderloin
Venison loin and venison tenderloin are often confused. Venison loin, also known as the backstrap, runs along the backbone of the deer, while the tenderloin is found inside of the rib cavity. If you came here hoping to find a venison tenderloin recipe, don't fret.
How to Cook Venison Loin
Venison tenderloin can be cooked just like a beef loin. Seer it in a skillet over high heat to form a mouthwatering crust, then finish cooking it in the oven, allowing it to gently come to temperature without the exterior burning. I recommend cooking venison loin to 130-145 degrees.
Venison Recipes
You have a whole deer to cook up, but don't worry, I have you covered. Make sure to use some of the venison hamburger to craft some mouthwatering venison burgers, venison meatloaf, and venison meatballs . Also, make sure you don't waste the neck because that can be turned into an incredibly tender Beer Braised Venison Neck.
Roasted Venison Loin with a Balsamic Reduction Pan Sauce
Roasted Venison Loin with a Balsamic Reduction Pan Sauce is an elegant preparation of wild game. The sharpness of balsamic vinegar offers a nice contrast to the deep earthy flavor of venison and black peppercorns.
What Kind of Meat Is Venison?
Although venison is most commonly meat from deer, the term technically refers to the meat from any game animal including elk, caribou or antelope. In fact, the word “venison” is derived from the Latin word venari, which means to hunt or pursue. Venison can be portioned into similar cuts as beef, including steaks, roasts, ground meat and stew meat.
Is Venison Healthier than Beef?
Venison contains 50% less fat than beef, and while it’s slightly higher in cholesterol, it’s lower in saturated fats, making it a healthy red meat alternative. It is also slightly higher in protein and contains higher levels of Vitamins B6 and B12, Omega 3 fatty acids, riboflavin and niacin.
Does Venison Taste Like Beef?
Venison may come in similar cuts as beef, but the flavor isn’t comparable. Venison has a distinct earthy, almost rich flavor, owing to a deer’s diet of grasses, leaves, twigs, berries and fruit. Venison may have other flavor characteristics influenced by diet, including herbaceous notes from herbs or nuttiness from acorns.
How to Cook Venison Steak
Using a pan-sear to oven method (much like you’d sear a beef steak) is a straight-forward and delicious way to prepare venison, which often comes from the deer’s hindquarters.
Venison Recipes
Venison is a versatile protein that can factor into dishes you’d typically prepare with beef. You can grill it as you would steak or burgers, but because venison is a lean cut of meat, it benefits from incorporating additional fat, such as chopped bacon or ground pork in burger patties or wrapping a tenderloin with bacon.
Etymology
The word derives from the Latin venari, meaning "to hunt or pursue". This term entered the English language through Norman in the 11th century, following the Norman conquest of England and the establishment of Royal Forests .
Definition
Venison originally described meat of any game animal killed by hunting and was applied to any animal from the families Cervidae ( true deer ), Leporidae ( rabbits and hares ), Suidae ( wild boar) and certain species of the genus Capra ( goats and ibex ).
Qualities
Venison may be eaten as steaks, tenderloin, roasts, sausages, jerky, and minced meat. It has a flavor reminiscent of beef. Cuts of venison tend to have a finer texture and be leaner than comparable cuts of beef. However, like beef, leaner cuts can be tougher as well.
Health concerns
Since it is unknown whether chronic wasting disease (CWD), a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy among deer (similar to mad cow disease, scientifically known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy), can pass from deer to humans through the consumption of venison, there have been some fears of dangerous contamination of the food supply from wild deer carrying CWD.
Availability
Venison as well as other game meat is part of traditional cuisine and is commonly eaten, not considered a specialty. Dishes such as deer goulash are often on restaurant menus.
