How to Make Venison Bacon At Home 

I have written a detailed guide on making venison bacon, a delicious and lean alternative to traditional pork bacon. As a game meat enthusiast or someone seeking a healthier bacon option, you shouldn’t miss this opportunity to learn how to make your venison bacon at home. Read more in this article for a step-by-step guide on choosing the proper cut, curing, smoking, and cooking your homemade venison bacon.

 What is Venison Bacon?

Before we delve into how to make venison bacon, it’s essential to understand what it is and what sets it apart from traditional bacon. Venison bacon is a type of bacon made from deer meat instead of pork. It is typically made from the leaner cuts of venison, which are ground, cured, and smoked to create a product similar in flavor and texture to pork bacon.

Venison bacon is a fantastic way to utilize less-tender cuts of deer meat, turning them into a delicious and versatile food item. If you’re a hunter or have access to venison, making venison bacon is an excellent way to maximize the use of the animal and add variety to your game meat dishes.

 Benefits of Venison Bacon

While venison bacon may be less common than its pork counterpart, it has several unique benefits that make it a worthy addition to your cooking repertoire. First, venison is leaner than pork, making venison bacon a healthier option for those watching their fat and calorie intake. Venison also contains protein and essential nutrients like iron, zinc, and B vitamins.

Second, venison bacon offers a unique flavor profile. It has the smoky, salty characteristics of traditional bacon but with a distinct gamey flavor unique to venison. This makes it an excellent choice for those looking to expand their culinary horizons and try something new.

 Choosing the Right Venison Cut

The first step in making venison bacon is choosing the proper cut of venison, which is crucial in achieving the right texture and flavor. When making venison bacon, you want to choose a relatively lean amount. The shoulder or hindquarters works well because they balance lean meat and fat well. 

If you’ve got a whole deer, you can use the less tender cuts, which might become tough if cooked using fast, high-heat methods. These cuts are perfect for venison bacon because the curing and smoking process will help tenderize them, and adding pork fat (if you’re using any) will ensure your bacon isn’t too dry.

When selecting your venison, also consider the age and diet of the deer, as these can influence the flavor of the meat. Younger deer tend to have a milder flavor than older deer. Deer that have been feeding on grass and crops tend to have a milder flavor than those that have been feeding on more bitter forest foliage. But, regardless of these factors, remember that one of the joys of using venison is the chance to enjoy the unique, natural flavor of the meat. 

Once you’ve selected your venison cut, it’s time to move on to the next steps in the bacon-making process: gathering your ingredients and preparing the venison. With the proper amount of venison and a careful approach to preparation, you’re well on your way to making delicious, homemade venison bacon.

 Gathering Your Ingredients

In addition to venison, you’ll need a few other ingredients to make venison bacon at home. These ingredients are primarily for curing and smoking, giving the venison bacon its characteristic flavor and texture.

Here’s an essential list of what you’ll need:

– Venison: You’ll need about 5 to 10 pounds of venison, depending on how much bacon you want to make. 

– Pork Fat: This is optional. While venison is leaner than pork, adding pork fat (usually about 20% of the total meat weight) can help improve the texture and flavor of your venison bacon.

– Curing Mix: You’ll need a curing mix, which typically includes salt, sugar, and pink curing salt (also known as Prague Powder 1). The salt and sugar help to preserve the meat and give it flavor, while the pink curing salt helps to prevent bacterial growth and provides the bacon with its characteristic pink color.

– Spices: You can add various spices to enhance the flavor of your venison bacon. Some popular choices include black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.

– Water: Some water is usually used to help distribute the curing mix evenly throughout the meat.

– Wood Chips: You’ll need wood chips for the smoking process. The type of wood you choose can influence the flavor of your bacon. Hickory, cherry, and apple wood are excellent for smoking venison bacon.

Related posts

How To Cook Deer Steak In The Oven

How To Cook Bacon On Blackstone Griddle

How To Cook Bacon In A Toaster Oven

Preparing the Venison

After gathering your ingredients, the next step is to prepare the venison for curing and smoking. If you’re using whole cuts of meat, you’ll need to grind them. You can do this with a meat grinder or ask your butcher.

Once your venison is ground, you can mix it with the curing ingredients and the pork fat if you’re using it. Then, press the mixture into a loaf pan or similar mold. This will give your venison bacon its shape.

 The Curing Process

Curing is crucial in making any type of bacon, and venison bacon is no exception. Curing helps to preserve the meat, giving it a longer shelf life. It also contributes to the characteristic flavor and texture of bacon.

To cure your venison bacon, you’ll need to let it rest in the refrigerator for several days. This allows the curing ingredients to penetrate the meat and do their work. Be sure to cover the heart and turn it daily to ensure even curing.

 Smoking the Cured Venison

Once the venison has been cured, it’s time to smoke it to give it that characteristic bacon flavor. You can use a conventional smoker or a smoking setup on your grill. The choice of wood can also influence the taste of your bacon – hickory, apple, and cherry wood all give excellent results.

Smoke your bacon at a low temperature (around 200 degrees Fahrenheit) until it reaches an internal temperature of 150 degrees Fahrenheit. This can take several hours, so be patient. The low and slow cooking process will help to render the fat and infuse the meat with a smoky flavor.

 Slicing and Cooking the Venison Bacon

After smoking, your venison bacon is almost ready to enjoy. The final steps are slicing and cooking it.

Once it thoroughly cools down your bacon, you can slice it. If you have a meat slicer, this is the best tool. If not, a sharp carving knife will do the trick. Aim for slices about 1/8-inch thick or whatever thickness you prefer. To simplify the slicing process, you can partially freeze the bacon beforehand.

When it comes to cooking your venison bacon, you can use the same methods as you would with regular bacon. Here are a couple of popular methods:

Pan Frying

Place the bacon slices in a cold skillet and then heat the skillet over medium heat. This will help render the fat more slowly and result in crispier bacon. Cook the bacon until browned on one side, then flip it over to cook the other. Because venison is leaner than pork, monitor the heat carefully to avoid overcooking and drying out the meat.

Oven Baking 

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). Place the bacon slices on a baking rack set over a baking sheet. This allows the fat to drip down as the bacon cooks. Bake for about 15-20 minutes or until the bacon reaches your desired level of crispiness.

Once your bacon is cooked, remove it from the pan or oven and drain it on paper towels to remove excess fat. Then, it’s ready to serve! Venison bacon can be used in any dish with regular bacon.

 Storing and Using Venison Bacon

Now that you’ve made your own delicious venison bacon, let’s discuss how to store it properly and some exciting ways you can use it in your meals.

First, proper storage is critical to maintaining the freshness and quality of your venison bacon. After cooking, let the bacon cool completely. Then, you can store it in an airtight container or resealable bag in the refrigerator. It should last for up to a week. If you’ve made a large batch and want to store some for later, you can freeze the bacon. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or freezer bags. Properly stored, it can last for several months in the freezer.

When ready to use the frozen venison bacon, simply thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before cooking. Be sure to consume thawed bacon within a few days.

Venison bacon can be used in a variety of dishes. 

– Breakfast: Serve it like regular bacon, with eggs and toast for a hearty breakfast. Or, crumble it into scrambled eggs or an omelet.

– Sandwiches: Use it to add a unique twist to a classic BLT or club sandwich.

– Salads: Crumbled venison bacon adds a delicious, smoky flavor to salads.

– Pasta: Add it to pasta dishes, like spaghetti carbonara, for an extra layer of flavor.

– Appetizers: Venison bacon can be wrapped around dates or scallops for a delicious appetizer.

– Soups and Stews: Add diced venison bacon to soups and stews for a hearty, smoky flavor.

 Conclusion

Making venison bacon at home might seem daunting, but with these straightforward steps, you can bring this richly flavored, lean alternative to your breakfast table. Not only is it a healthier option, but it’s also a fantastic way to make the most of your venison. Whether you’re a seasoned hunter or someone looking for a new culinary adventure, learning how to make venison bacon is worth acquiring. So why wait? Get your venison, gather your ingredients, and make your venison bacon today!

 Frequently Asked Questions about How to Make Venison Bacon At Home

1. What cut of venison is best for making venison bacon?

– The shoulder and hindquarter cuts are recommended for making venison bacon. These cuts provide the right balance of lean meat and fat, which is ideal for creating bacon.

2. Can I use venison without adding pork fat?

– Yes, you can make venison bacon without adding pork fat. However, remember that venison is leaner than pork so the bacon may be a bit drier than traditional bacon.

3. What does venison bacon taste like?

– Venison bacon has the smoky, salty characteristics of traditional bacon but with a distinct gamey flavor unique to venison. It’s an excellent alternative for those looking to try something new.

4. How long does the curing process take when making venison bacon?

– The curing process usually takes several days. This allows the curing ingredients to penetrate the meat and do their work. Covering the meat and turning it once a day to ensure even curing is essential.

5. What type of wood should I use for smoking venison bacon?

– The choice of wood can influence the flavor of your bacon. Hickory, apple, and cherry wood give excellent results when smoking venison bacon.

6. How should I store venison bacon?

– Venison bacon should be stored in the refrigerator and used within a week. It can be frozen for several months if you need to store it for longer.

7. How do I cook venison bacon?

– Venison bacon can be cooked in the same way as regular bacon. You can pan-fry it, bake it, or even grill it. Avoid overcooking it, as venison is leaner than pork and can dry out.

8. Can I use venison bacon in the same way as regular bacon?

– Venison bacon is versatile and can be used in various dishes. From adding a smoky, meaty flavor to salads, sandwiches, and soups to serving it alongside eggs for a hearty breakfast, the possibilities are endless.