Deer Tenderloin

Learn how to cook tender and flavorful deer tenderloin with marinades, grilling, oven roasting, and pan-searing techniques. This guide covers essential tools, common mistakes, and creative sides to elevate your gourmet game meat dishes.

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Prep Time 1

Cook Time 30

Total Time 1 30

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American, Game

Servings 4 servings

Calories 332 kcal

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

2 pounds deer tenderloin Choose quality cuts for the best flavor
1 tablespoon canola oil For cooking
3 tablespoons butter Adds richness
Salt to taste For seasoning
Pepper to taste For seasoning
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce Enhances flavor
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar For marinade
4 cloves garlic Minced for marinade
4 tablespoons olive oil For marinade
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar For marinade
1 teaspoon dried rosemary For marinade
3 tablespoons soy sauce For marinade
2 tablespoons fresh ginger Minced for marinade

Sauces

1 cup cremini mushrooms Sliced for sauce
2 tablespoons butter For mushroom sauce
1/2 cup heavy cream For creamy mushroom sauce
2 cloves garlic Minced for sauce

Creative Sides

4 cups mixed seasonal vegetables Roasted
4 cups garlic mashed potatoes Rich and creamy side
4 cups seasonal salads Fresh and light

Instructions

Preparation

Start by marinating the deer tenderloin with olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, and rosemary for 2-8 hours.
Remove the tenderloin from the refrigerator and let it sit for about 30 minutes before cooking.
Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C) if you're using the oven method.

Cooking

For pan-searing, heat a large cast-iron skillet and add canola oil.
Season the tenderloin with salt and pepper, then sear in the skillet for 2-3 minutes per side on high heat.
Finish cooking in the oven for an additional 7-12 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 125-130°F (medium-rare).
Let the meat rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking before slicing.

Sauce Preparation

For mushroom sauce, sauté mushrooms in butter until softened, then add cream and garlic.
Simmer until thickened and serve over sliced tenderloin.

Serving

Plate the sliced deer tenderloin alongside roasted vegetables and garlic mashed potatoes.
Drizzle with red wine reduction or mushroom sauce.

Notes

Venison is lean and can dry out quickly. Use a meat thermometer to ensure correctness. Resting the meat after cooking is crucial for juiciness.

Keyword Deer Tenderloin, Game Meat, Gourmet Cooking, Healthy Recipes, Venison