Get ready to elevate your wild game with this mouthwatering grilled venison recipe, perfect for a flavorful outdoor feast that’s sure to impress family and friends.
This marinated grilled venison rack recipe brings out the rich, natural flavors of the meat with a savory blend of herbs, spices, and a hint of sweetness. The tender venison absorbs the marinade, making it incredibly juicy and full of flavor. Perfect for grilling, pan-searing, or roasting.
Feeds 2-4 people
Prep time 4 hours
Cook time 10 minutes
Why Marinating Venison Works
Tenderizes the meat: The acidic components in marinades, like vinegar or citrus, break down tough muscle fibers, making venison more tender.
Enhances flavor: Marinades infuse venison with herbs, spices, and seasonings, amplifying its natural flavors and adding depth.
Reduces gaminess: Marinating helps mellow out the gamey taste of venison, making it more appealing to a wider range of palates.
Locks in moisture: The oil in marinades helps to keep the lean meat moist during cooking, preventing it from drying out.
Ingredients
- 1 venison rack (The venison rack i purchased had 5 bones)
- ½ yellow onion
- 5 whole garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons of dried oregano
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 3 teaspoons of salt
- 2 teaspoons of pepper
- 1 rosemary sprig
- 1 tablespoon of lemon pepper seasoning (You can replace this with an all purpose seasoning)
- 1 bunch of cilantro (Approx. 1 ½ cups)
- 1 bunch of parsley (Approx. 1 ½ cups)
- 1 ¼ cups of extra virgin olive oil
- Half a stick of garlic & herb butter (regular butter will work as well)
Marinating Process
Prepare the marinade: In a food processor, add cilantro, parsley, yellow onion, garlic cloves, oregano, red wine vinegar, rosemary leaves, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Blend everything until you get a smooth, finely mixed marinade.
Prepare the venison: Separate your venison rack into individual chops. Place the chops into a deep dish or a large zip-lock bag.
Marinate: Pour the marinade over the venison chops, ensuring they are fully coated. Seal the dish or bag, and allow the venison to marinate for at least 4 hours. This will help tenderize the meat and infuse it with flavor.
Cooking Process
After marinating: Once the venison chops have marinated for 4 hours, remove them from the marinade and pat them dry with a paper towel. Season both sides of the chops with lemon pepper seasoning for extra zest.
Grill the venison: Preheat your grill to 450°F (232°C). Place the venison chops on the grill and cook them on high heat. Flip the chops every 1-2 minutes to get a nice crust on both sides.
Check internal temperature: Once the venison chops reach an internal temperature of 135°F (57°C), they are perfectly cooked. This will give you a juicy, medium-rare result.
Serve: Remove the chops from the grill and plate them up. Serve over mashed potatoes or with a side of grilled vegetables for a hearty, delicious meal.
Garlic & Herb Butter: Melt down some garlic & herb butter, Once melted drizzle the butter over the top of the grilled venison chops
This marinade works great on Lamb Loin Chops & Grilled Elk Steaks
