Sure, deer tenderloin is great. And a recipe telling you just how to cook that grilled deer tenderloin? Even better. But what’s best? All of that and a little history about the meat, too.
Venison has long been a cornerstone of American culinary history. In fact, it’s said that the pilgrims and Native Americans shared this protein-packed meat at the first ever Thanksgiving at Plymouth. Now, deer isn’t as commonly consumed—unless you’re a hunter, that is.
If hunting game is your game, you know just how much meat a deer can yield, and you know just how delicious some of those cuts can be. But if you’re just dipping your toe into the wonderful world of venison, you might have a little to learn. So join Joe Thomas, avid bow hunter and American Archer host, as he shares his grilled deer tenderloin recipe.
Beef vs. Deer: An Easy Choice
Something folks new to the venison world might not know is just how healthy it is for you. Like beef, venison is red meat. Unlike beef, however, venison is leaner and lower in fats and cholesterol. (It’s actually lower that poultry in these categories, too!) But what it lacks in fat, it makes up for with plenty of vitamins—it’s nearly even with beef in this category. That means when you cook with venison, you’re eating the best of the best.
Grilled Deer Tenderloin Recipe by Joe Thomas
Learn how avid bowhunter, Joe Thomas, likes to prepare his deer tenderloin on the grill. Adjust the marinade ingredient amounts to your liking—a little of this or a lot of that!
Ingredients
Olive Oil
Soy Sauce
Thyme
Rosemary
Minced Garlic
Salt
Black Pepper
Red Pepper
Lowry’s Season Salt
Directions
- Marinade
- Mix marinade ingredients
- Place deer tenderloin in a one-gallon freezer bag
- Toss with the marinade
- Leave to rest in the fridge overnight
- Deer Grilling
- Prep your vegetables, tossing them with their seasoning
- Heat your grill to 400 degrees
- Cook your veggies on the grill for 10-12 minutes
- Bring your grill heat up to 500 degrees
- Remove your tenderloin from Ziploc bag and place straight onto your grill
- Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side
- Serve medium rare
Pretty simple, but delicious nonetheless. Take this delicious grilled deer tenderloin and arm yourself with a great new recipe for your next post-hunt cookout or backyard bash.
