Venison Meatloaf – The Large Man’s World ®

This straightforward venison meatloaf recipe places a scrumptious and nutritious twist on the traditional. Made with floor venison and topped with a candy, tangy glaze, it’s excellent for a comfortable fuss-free household dinner.

We’re massive followers of beef in our family however typically I prefer to shake issues up with venison. From venison chili to venison stew and venison roast, floor venison recipes have a lot to supply. This floor venison meatloaf, specifically, has change into a brand new household favourite!

Desk of Contents

1. Recipe highlights
2. Elements wanted
3. How one can make venison meatloaf 
4. Different cooking strategies
5. Recipe ideas and variations
6. Storage directions
7. Regularly requested questions 
8. Extra meatloaf recipes
9. Venison Meatloaf

Recipe highlights

Like my bison burgers, this venison meatloaf transforms underrated wild sport meat right into a mouthwatering meal. Listed below are just a few extra the reason why this recipe is a must-make:

• Lean and flavorful. Venison brings a singular, gamey taste to traditional meatloaf. Plus, it’s a wonderful protein supply and is decrease in saturated fats than beef.
• A foolproof meal. This meatloaf recipe is as simple as they arrive! It doesn’t require fancy expertise, making it a terrific selection for these new to cooking wild sport.
• Nice for any event. I can’t say no to venison meatloaf, whether or not it’s the centerpiece at particular occasions or whipped collectively for on a regular basis meals. It additionally freezes very well, which is nice once I need dinner on the desk in a pinch throughout busy weeknights.

Elements wanted

This meatloaf requires floor venison and fundamental elements you doubtless have already got. Right here’s all the pieces you’ll want: 

• Floor venison. Venison technically refers to any sport meat, however on this recipe, we’re utilizing floor deer meat. I purchase mine from my native butcher however I’ve seen increasingly grocery shops inventory it (and it’s tremendous inexpensive too!).
• Onion and garlic. Two non-negotiable savory aromatics.
• Panko breadcrumbs. I used panko to bind the elements collectively.
• Eggs. One other binder for meatloaf! In addition they stop the meat from drying out throughout cooking. 
• Milk. You should utilize common milk or unsweetened dairy-free milk. 
• Ketchup. Provides moisture and a candy, tangy taste. If I’m watching the my sugar content material, I typically use sugar free ketchup.  
• Parsley. For a contact of recent, fragrant taste. 
• Italian seasoning. I used a store-bought spice combine for comfort, however should you’d want to make it your self, use a mix of dried basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram.
• Salt and pepper. To style. 
• Meatloaf glaze. You’ll want ketchup, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar. It doesn’t get a lot less complicated than that! 

Discover the printable recipe with measurements under.

How one can make venison meatloaf 

Step 1 – Mix the elements. Combine the entire meatloaf elements in a big bowl till mixed. 

Step 2 – Bake. Switch the meat combination to a parchment-lined loaf pan and bake till it’s agency and tender. 

Step 3 – Make the glaze. Whereas the meatloaf is baking, whisk the glaze elements collectively till easy. 

Step 4 – Glaze, then serve. Brush the glaze excessive of the meatloaf, then proceed baking till it’s cooked by. Let it relaxation earlier than slicing and serving. Take pleasure in!

Different cooking strategies

As a result of I need to cowl all of the bases, I examined this recipe out not simply within the oven, but additionally within the smoker, air fryer, and sluggish cooker. This manner, you’ve NO excuses to not make it. Right here is how:

Smoker. Just like my smoked meatloaf, kind the meatloaf right into a log form on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place it within the smoker and smoke it at 225°F for two to three hours. 

Air fryer. Like my air fryer meatloaf, place the formed meatloaf within the air fryer basket and prepare dinner at 375°F for 25 to half-hour. 

Sluggish cooker. Form the meat combination right into a loaf within the sluggish cooker, then prepare dinner on low for six to eight hours.

Recipe ideas and variations

• Keep away from overmixing. Combine the elements till simply mixed, simply as you’ll with meatballs. Overworking the meat combination may end up in a dense meatloaf.
• All the time use a meat thermometer. I do know I sound like a damaged file, particularly should you make any of my different recipes that decision for some sort of baked or cooked meat. You’ll understand it’s accomplished cooking when the inner temperature reaches 160°F.
• Let it relaxation. I extremely advocate letting the meatloaf relaxation for at the very least quarter-hour after baking. This offers the juices time to seep again into the meat, giving it a firmer texture and extra taste.
• Mix with fattier meats. I discovered that mixing the lean venison meat with some floor beef, pork, or veal provides simply sufficient moisture to stop the meatloaf from tasting dry. 
• Wrap it in bacon! As a result of what’s higher than bacon-wrapped meatloaf? Merely wrap the meatloaf in skinny strips of bacon earlier than baking.
• BBQ-glazed meatloaf. Swap the ketchup within the meatloaf and glaze for BBQ sauce as an alternative.
• Add apples and sage. Mixing each into the meat combination will add simply the correct amount of sweetness, tartness, and a complimentary earthy taste.
• Italian-inspired. My household loves it once I add parmesan cheese, recent Italian herbs, and marinara sauce (as an alternative of the glaze).

Storage directions

To retailer: Wrap the baked and cooled loaf or particular person slices in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then retailer them within the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

To freeze: You may also freeze venison meatloaf for as much as 3 months. Let the leftovers thaw within the fridge earlier than reheating. 

To reheat: Place the leftover meatloaf in a baking dish lined with foil and bake at 325°F till the inner temperature reaches 165°F.

Regularly requested questions 

Extra meatloaf recipes

• Wholesome Meatloaf – It’s higher for you than conventional recipes but simply as scrumptious. 
• Stuffed Meatloaf – Think about all the pieces you’re keen on about mother’s meatloaf with a gooey, tacky shock within the center!
• Floor Turkey Meatloaf – A more healthy different to beef with the entire satisfying flavors you’re keen on. 
• Air Fryer Meatloaf – Completely juicy and moist meatloaf cooked in simply 20 minutes.