• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Modern Farmhouse Eats logo

  • Recipes
  • About
  • Portfolio
    • Work with Me
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Portfolio
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Portfolio
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • ×

    Home » Recipes

    August 19, 2021

    Marinated Venison Backstrap

    1241 shares
    • Share Recipe
    Jump to Recipe

    Tender, juicy, and flavorful venison backstrap. Marinated then pan-seared or grilled until nicely browned on the outside and a little pink on the inside. Super easy to make, melt in your mouth venison recipe without the "gamey" taste.

    I love this venison backstrap recipe because the simple marinade adds so much flavor while simultaneously taming that strong venison flavor that often isn't loved by those newer to venison.

    After marinating, there are two great ways to cook backstrap: pan-seared and oven finished or grilled. When cooked properly to the right internal temperature, venison backstrap is so tender and juicy. You're going to love it! Make sure you grab your digital meat thermometer!

    What is venison backstrap, loin & tenderloin.

    Venison backstrap is also known as venison loin and runs the length of the deer's back, along the spine.

    However, venison backstrap/loin are not the same cut of meat as venison tenderloin. Venison tenderloin is a cut of meat under the backstrap between the ribs and the rump. It's comparable to beef filet mignon.

    Click here to see where each cut of meat comes from on a deer.

    cooked venison backstrap sliced on a plate

    Is venison backstrap tough?

    Venison backstrap is a very tender cut of meat when cooked properly. Just like a cut of steak, you want to avoid cooking overcooking it. I like to cook my backstrap to medium, resulting in a tender, juicy and flavorful cut of meat.

    The marinade also helps to tenderize the backstrap, especially when left in the marinade overnight.

    Is venison backstrap gamey?

     Wild game tastes a bit different compared to commercially available meats. It has a strong flavor, which is often referred to as "gamey." It's important to note that "gamey" doesn't refer to spoiled meat. Because deer and other wild game animals are herbivorous creatures that forage for food, their meat will naturally taste different than the meat you're used to buying at the store.

    For some, wild game is an acquired taste, and I love sharing recipe tips that tone down those wild game flavors so that even those new to eating venison (or those who don't partially enjoy the strong flavor) can still prepare and enjoy venison.

    Why soak deer backstrap in milk?

    Freshly harvested venison can often times have a stronger flavor, so if desired, you can soak the backstrap in buttermilk for a couple hours, or overnight, to help remove "gamey" flavor and draw out the blood. The acid in buttermilk also helps to tenderize the meat. Once you remove it from the buttermilk, give it a rinse and pat dry.

    If the venison isn't freshly harvested (and it was properly processed), skip the buttermilk soak and simply add the thawed venison to the marinade. Marinating venison will help to remove "gamey" flavor while simultaneously adding lots of great flavor!

    Venison Backstrap Marinade

    • Olive oil
    • Soy sauce
    • Lemon juice
    • Balsamic vinegar - or you can substitute apple cider vinegar
    • Worcestershire
    • Garlic
    • Black pepper

    Let the backstrap marinate for at least 4 hours or ideally overnight, flipping over halfway through to ensure both sides get marinated.

    This is a great marinade for venison steaks, as well!

    venison backstrap in a shallow dish with marinade

    What is the best way to cook the backstrap of a deer?

    There are two common methods for cooking deer backstrap, also known as venison backstrap:

    • Pan seared and oven finished venison backstrap
    • Grilled venison backstrap

    I enjoy both methods, but I more commonly pan sear and oven finish my venison backstrap because the grilling season in Minnesota is a short one. This gives you a really nice sear, locking in all of the juices.

    When cooking venison, like most meat, you should use a meat thermometer to ensure you don't overcook the meat, which causes it to become tough and dry.

    Pro tip! Always account for the fact that the meat will continue to cook once it's removed from the heat source. The residual heat left in the meat will continue to cook the meat and the temperature will continue to rise 5-10 degrees. So, for example, if you want the venison backstrap cooked to medium (135 degrees F.), remove it from the heat source at 130 degrees Fahrenheit and let it rest for 5-10 minutes until it reaches 135 degrees Fahrenheit.

    Pan seared and oven finished venison backstrap.

    1. Heat an oven-safe cast iron or stainless steel skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil or butter.
    2. Sear the venison in the hot skillet on all sides until nicely browned and caramelized on the outside. While you're searing the venison, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
    3. Transfer the oven-safe skillet with the venison backstrap into the preheated oven. Bake for about 12-15 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 130-135 degrees Fahrenheit for medium-rare to medium. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.

    Grilled venison backstrap.

    1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
    2. Grill the backstrap for 6-8 minutes per side, or until a meat thermometer reads 130-135 degrees Fahrenheit for medium-rare to medium. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
    close up of cooked venison backstrap on a plate

    Perfectly seared venison backstrap recipe

    My favorite way to sear venison backstrap is in a cast iron skillet. Heat the skillet over medium-high heat, add a big drizzle of olive oil and place the backstrap in the hot pan.

    Let the backstrap sear until a nice brown crust forms. If the venison is sticking to the pan, then it hasn't seared long enough - let it continue to sear until it releases. Sear on all sides of the backstrap, including the short ends. To do so, stand the venison up in the pan using tongs.

    The best internal temperature for venison backstrap

    I highly recommend using a meat thermometer when cooking any meat to ensure you don't overcook it, resulting in dry, tough meat. For venison backstrap, here are the temperatures for degree of doneness:

    • Rare: 125 degrees F.
    • Medium-rare: 130-135 degrees F.
    • Medium: 135-140 degrees F.
    • Medium-well: 140-145 degrees F.
    • Well: 145-150 degrees F.

    I like to cook venison backstrap to around 135 degrees F. It's still pink and juicy in the center, but not raw.

    venison backstrap sliced on a plate

    Frequently asked questions

    Does deer backstrap have to be cooked all the way?

    Just like cooking beef steak, you can cook venison to your desired doneness. It's actually best cooked to medium-rare or medium between 130-140 degrees F. Overcooking venison blackstrap will result in dry, tough meat.

    What seasonings go best with venison?

    When it comes to venison backstrap or steak, I like to marinade the meat in a salty, savory marinade. It's also great cooked with fresh herbs, such as rosemary, thyme and sage.

    What is best to soak deer meat in before cooking?

    The acid in buttermilk helps to tame the strong flavor of venison and tenderize a tough cut. You can soak deer meat in buttermilk overnight. When you're ready to cook the meat, rinse and pat dry.

    Do you cook venison slow or fast?

    How slow or fast you cook venison depends on the cut of meat. Backstrap, tenderloin, and steaks are all tender cuts of meat and should be quickly seared over high heat to get a nice sear on the outside and keep the inside pink, tender and juicy.

    Roasts, ribs and shanks are a tougher cut of meat and should be cooked low and slow. Cooking the meat slowly at a low temperature breaks down the connective tissue, tenderizing the meat without drying it out.

    What to pair with venison backstrap?

    I like to serve venison backstrap with some kind of salad, roasted vegetables, potatoes or pasta.

    • Red Skin Mashed Potatoes
    • Smoked Mac and Cheese
    • Zesty Balsamic Marinated Grilled Vegetables
    • Crispy Salt and Vinegar Roasted Potatoes
    • Creamy Italian Ranch Pasta Salad
    • Tequilaberry Salad
    • Cheesy Sharp Cheddar Hashbrown Casserole
    • Cheesy Au Gratin Mixed Potatoes
    • Best Classic Potato Salad

    Why should you let meat rest.

    Cooking meat quickly over high heat draws all of the juices to the surface, so when you cut into the meat without letting it rest, all of the juices will run out, leaving you with dry meat.

    So, let the cooked venison rest for 5-10 minutes after it's removed from the heat source. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in tender, juicy cuts.

    More venison recipes you'll love

    • Beer Braised Venison Roast with Carrots and Mashed Potatoes
    • Hearty Venison Stew
    • Venison Steak with Mushroom Cream Sauce
    • Best Venison Chili

    If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and a comment below! I'd love to hear from you! If you’re on Instagram, share a picture of the food you created and tag me at Modern Farmhouse Eats! I enjoy seeing all the pictures! 😊

    Marinated Venison Backstrap

    Rachel Riesgraf
    Tender, juicy, and flavorful venison backstrap. Marinated then pan-seared or grilled until nicely browned on the outside and a little pink on the inside. Super easy to make, melt in your mouth venison recipe without the "gamey" taste.
    4.58 stars
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Resting Time 4 hrs
    Total Time 4 hrs 25 mins
    Course Dinner
    Servings 4 people

    Equipment

    • Oven-safe skillet

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 pound venison backstrap
    • ½ tablespoon olive oil

    Marinade

    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • ¼ cup soy sauce
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice (plus lemon wedges for optional garnish)
    • 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
    • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire
    • 2 garlic cloves, minced
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper

    Instructions
     

    Marinade

    • Mix together the marinade ingredients in a shallow dish or a ziploc bag. Add the backstrap and place in the refrigerator. Marinate for at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours, flipping halfway through.
    • About 30 minutes before you're ready to cook, remove the venison from the marinade and pat dry with paper towel. Set on a clean plate and allow to come to room temperature.

    Pan seared and oven finished:

    • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
    • Heat an oven-safe cast iron skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the backstrap and sear for 4-5 minutes all sides until a nice brown crust forms, including the ends by using tongs to stand the backstrap in the pan.
    • If using an oven-safe skillet, transfer the skillet with the backstrap to the preheated oven. If your skillet isn't oven-safe, transfer the backstrap to an oven-safe dish with a little olive oil. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a meat thermometer reads 130-135 degrees. Keep in mind, the internal temperature of the meat will continue to rise about 5-10 degrees while the meat rests, brining it closer to medium doneness. Transfer the backstrap to a plate and loosely tent with tinfoil for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
    • If desired, finish with a squeeze of lemon juice and a pinch of sea salt.

    Grilled:

    • Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
    • Place the backstrap on the hot grill and cook for 6-8 minutes, then flip and continue to cook another 6-8 minutes.
    • The backstrap is done when a meat thermometer reads 130-135 degrees. Keep in mind, the internal temperature of the meat will continue to rise about 5-10 degrees while the meat rests, brining it closer to medium doneness. Transfer the backstrap to a plate and loosely tent with tinfoil for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
    • If desired, finish with a squeeze of lemon juice and a pinch of sea salt.

    Notes

    Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the venison.
    • Rare: 125 degrees F.
    • Medium-rare: 130-135 degrees F.
    • Medium: 135-140 degrees F.
    • Medium-well: 140-145 degrees F.
    • Well: 145-150 degrees F.
    Did you make this recipe?I'd love to hear from you! Rate the recipe and leave a comment below or share a picture on Instagram and tag @ModernFarmhouseEats

    « Leek, Sun-Dried Tomato and Goat Cheese Deep Dish Quiche
    Thai Basil Chicken Stir Fry »
    1241 shares
    • Share Recipe

    Recent Recipes

    scooping the mashed potato bake
    pork tenderloin medallions and roasted potatoes served over whipped goat cheese spread on a plate and topped with cranberry sauce
    dutch baby in a skillet topped with powdered sugar, spiced cranberries, and whipped cream
    bourbon bbq bison meatballs in a skillet

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Linda says

      October 25, 2021 at 6:47 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is just awesome. I made the oven bake method. I’ve never cooked venison tenderloin before and had my doubts as to how it would turn out. I followed the recipe precisely and it really was the most delicious tenderloin I’ve ever had even compared to beef. Thanks so much!

      Reply
      • Modern Farmhouse Eats says

        October 26, 2021 at 10:42 am

        Linda, this makes me so happy! We work so hard to harvest a limited supply of deer meat, so making sure it's cooked perfectly can be intimidating. I am so glad that you enjoyed the recipe!

        Reply
    2. Rob says

      November 22, 2021 at 9:12 pm

      5 stars
      You knocked this out of the park. My wife and daughter both loved it. It is a special occasion when they both approve of wild game recipes. I will be making it again soon. Thanks for taking the time to share it.

      Reply
      • Modern Farmhouse Eats says

        November 29, 2021 at 10:58 am

        Rob, I am very happy that your family enjoyed the recipe!! 😊 Thank you so much for the review!

        Reply
    3. Trendal says

      December 12, 2021 at 3:52 pm

      5 stars
      Very nice. We were out of soy sauce so I subbed with Worcestershire, sprinkled with garlic salt and lots of ground pepper at the grill Apple Cider Vinegar and 3x ground pepper in the marinade. Grilled over mesquite but I put almond wood on right before meat so I have flames coming through the grate. Let it sit till one side it showing a little color, roll it and clap the lid on. The almond wood snuffs out and becomes a smoker. Couple more minutes and it's done.

      Reply
      • Modern Farmhouse Eats says

        December 13, 2021 at 11:13 am

        Trendal, that sounds amazing!! I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe. Thanks for sharing your tips and tricks!

        Reply
    4. Anonymous says

      January 02, 2022 at 12:05 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is amazing, easy, delicious and it’s similar to one my grandmother use to make. I have been deer hunting since I was a young girl so I am very familiar with preparing venison ! Thank you so much for posting this, my husband and son love it.

      Reply
      • Modern Farmhouse Eats says

        January 05, 2022 at 12:26 pm

        Always nice to hear from fellow female deer hunters 😊 I'm so happy that your family enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for the review!

        Reply
    5. Savannah says

      August 15, 2022 at 12:36 pm

      5 stars
      Just made this for lunch for my family and my husband's friend, who had given us the backstrap. Rave reviews from everyone. Your marinade is pretty much exactly what I would do, without a recipe. I was searching for a recipe, mainly for the cook time and temperature, because I really did not want to accidentally overcook it. It was perfect, thank you!

      Reply
      • Modern Farmhouse Eats says

        August 15, 2022 at 2:29 pm

        Savannah, I'm so glad you all enjoyed the recipe!! Thanks so much for leaving a review!

        Reply
    6. Roxanne says

      October 25, 2022 at 6:03 pm

      5 stars
      This made for such a delicious tasting nilgai backstrap. Ours was a bit thin but I just watched the time and took it out at 10 minutes. So delicious this will be my go to recipe for wild game.

      Reply
    7. Lorraine Cooper says

      November 09, 2022 at 12:26 am

      5 stars
      This was such a good recipe. Inexperienced in cooking venison but I followed this to the tee and the venison was perfectly medium rare. The marinade was delicious I heated it up at the end to use as a sauce. Soaking in buttermilk is such a great idea. I soaked for about 18 hours and it didn't taste gamey at all. Thanks so much. So happy to do this meat justice.

      Reply
      • Modern Farmhouse Eats says

        November 10, 2022 at 9:55 am

        Lorraine, I'm so thrilled that you loved the recipe!! We work so hard to harvest venison, so it's so important to find good recipes. Thanks so much for sharing a review. I hope you give some of my other venison recipes a try!

        Reply
    8. hog hunting naples florida says

      January 17, 2023 at 3:43 pm

      I think this is among the so much important info for me. And i am glad studying your article. But wanna observation on some basic issues, The site style is wonderful, the articles is in reality nice : D. Just right task, cheers

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Rachel Riesgraf

    Hey There!

    I’m Rachel Riesgraf, a recipe developer and food photographer. Welcome to my modern farmhouse! Growing up on a farm, I learned how to create the best homestyle recipes using fresh, seasonal ingredients. I carry that same style of cooking and baking with me as I develop easy, from scratch, comfort food recipes for the busy, modern cook.

    Learn more about me →

    Join Our Community!

    I provide the delicious homestyle recipes. You do the cooking and eating!

    Let's Connect!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About Me

    Contact

    Recipe Index

    Let's Connect!

    Facebook

    Instagram

    TikTok

    Pinterest

    Copyright © 2022 Modern Farmhouse Eats | Privacy Policy

    1241 shares
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest