Smoked Venison Burgers
Perfect smoked venison burgers with simple seasoning that highlights wild game flavor. Learn low heat and wood smoke techniques for juicy results.
Smoked Venison Burgers
Rated 5.0 stars by 1 users
Category
Dinner
Cuisine
American
Author:
This recipe comes to us from Casey Bard, founder of Tacticalories Seasoning Co. and longtime collaborator and friend of Montana Knife Company.
Servings
4
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
135 minutes
Calories
280
Growing up, I ate venison several nights a week. We kept the prep simple and let the flavors speak for themselves. These smoked venison burgers stick to that philosophy, with just enough seasoning to complement the meat without disguising what makes wild game special.
After years of testing different methods, I’ve found that smoking creates the juiciest deer burgers you’ll ever eat. The low heat and wood smoke combo produces burgers that beat anything from the grocery store.
Ingredients
Assemble these ingredients to whip up the best smoked venison burgers you’ll ever have:
- 1 lb. fresh ground venison
- 2 Tbsp. your favorite pepper blend seasoning
- Burger buns
- Your favorite toppings: cheddar cheese, bacon, caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, pickles, or your preferred condiments
Directions
Prepare Your Smoked Venison Burgers
Mix one tablespoon of pepper blend into your ground venison, working it through with clean hands until evenly distributed. Handle the meat gently to keep your smoked deer burgers tender.
Form the seasoned venison into four equal patties, making a slight indentation in the center of each with your thumb. This prevents the smoked venison burgers from puffing up during cooking.
Dust each patty with the remaining tablespoon of seasoning, coating both sides evenly.
Smoke Your Venison Burgers
Preheat your smoker to 225°F using hickory or oak wood for complementary flavor.
Place your smoked deer burgers directly on the grates, leaving space between each patty for smoke circulation.
Smoke for approximately two hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F for food safety. The low, slow heat creates juicy smoked venison burgers with deep smoke penetration.
Alternative Cooking Methods for Smoked Deer Burgers
Grilling: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Grill your seasoned venison burgers for four to five minutes per side, reaching an internal temperature of 160°F.
Pan-frying: Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat with a touch of oil. Cook the venison burgers for four to five minutes per side until they reach 160°F internally.
Recipe Note
Pro Tips for Outstanding Smoked Venison Burgers
Master these smoked deer burgers with these proven techniques:
- Keep your ground venison cold until you’re ready to form patties. This helps the smoked venison burgers hold together better during cooking.
- Mix in 10% to 20% ground pork or beef fat if your venison is particularly lean. This adds moisture without compromising the wild game flavor.
- Let your smoked deer burgers rest for five minutes after cooking. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
- Toast your buns on the grill or in a skillet for added texture that holds up to juicy smoked venison burgers.
- Consider adding diced jalapeños or minced garlic to the meat mixture for an extra kick of flavor in your smoked deer burgers.
The Bottom Line on Smoked Venison Burgers
These smoked deer burgers prove wild game doesn’t need complicated prep to shine.Whether you smoke them low and slow or throw them on a hot grill, you’re getting pure, honest flavor that connects you to the hunt.
The next time you’re staring at packages of ground venison in your freezer, skip the complicated marinades and trust this straightforward approach. Your smoked venison burgers will speak for themselves.
