What is Venison? (2024)

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You may have heard how venison is a delicious and healthy substitute for beef and other red meats. But what is venison, exactly?

The term venison refers to the meat (usually muscles, but also organs) obtained from deer. Originating from the Latin verb venari, meaning “to hunt,” the term was originally applied to severatougl game meats including deer, rabbits, goats and pigs, but in recent centuries has narrowed down almost exclusively to deer (and in some cases, antelope).

Like beef, venison can be categorised into several cuts and categories, including roast, sirloin, tenderloin and ribs. It can also be ground or cured to make venison sausages, burgers and jerky. For more info, see Venison Cuts.

In terms of taste and texture, venison is quite similar to beef, but with some subtle differences: while beef is generally fattier and more succulent, venison has a richer, earthier taste because of the deer’s wilder diet of acorns, sage and herbs. For more info, see What Does Venison Taste Like.

Given that deer are leaner than cows, venison is generally healthier to eat than beef. An average cut of venison, in fact, has around half the calories and a sixth the saturated fats of a similarly sized cut of beef. It also has more proteins, vitamins and minerals than beef. For more info, see Venison Nutrition.

With venison’s rising popularity, there are loads of great venison recipes out there to try out. Generally speaking, it’s best to cook the most tender cuts (tenderloin, sirloin, etc) with quick-cooking methods like sauteing, broiling or grilling. Tougher cuts such as shanks, Osso Bucco and shoulder cuts should be roasted or slowly braised, while ground venison meat and venison sausages should be pan-broiled or sauted. For more info, see How to Cook Venison.

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What is Venison? (2024)

FAQs

What type of meat is venison? ›

What Kind of Meat Is Venison? Although venison is most commonly meat from deer, the term technically refers to the meat from any game animal including elk, caribou or antelope. In fact, the word “venison” is derived from the Latin word venari, which means to hunt or pursue.

Is venison healthier than beef? ›

Given that deer are leaner than cows, venison is generally healthier to eat than beef. An average cut of venison, in fact, has around half the calories and a sixth the saturated fats of a similarly sized cut of beef. It also has more proteins, vitamins and minerals than beef.

Why is it called venison and not deer? ›

The term venison comes from the Latin verb venari, meaning “to hunt.” It can refer to meat coming from boar, hares, and certain species of goats and antelopes, but is most commonly applied to deer meat. Deer meat is characterized by its fine grain and supple texture resulting from short, thin muscle fibers.

Is venison a deer or moose? ›

In current usage, the term venison is used to describe the meat of a deer or antelope. Venison comes from animals such as our native whitetail deer, reindeer, moose, elk, and several non-native animals such as red deer, axis deer, fallow deer, sika deer, blackbuck antelope, and nilgai antelope.

Why isn't venison sold in stores? ›

In the United States, venison is less common at retail due to the requirement that the animal first be inspected by USDA inspectors. There are very few abattoirs which process deer in North America, and most of this venison is destined for restaurants.

Does venison taste like beef? ›

No, they don't taste the same. Venison has a gamey flavor(an intense flavor of an animal raised in the untamed wilderness instead of on a farm). The gamey flavor is a result of the acorns, sage, and herbs that the deer enjoyed during its life.

What are the disadvantages of eating venison? ›

While deer meat can be pretty nutritious, you should be aware of the risks of consuming venison. Certain wild animals can carry infectious diseases like: Brucellosis. As a hunter, you increase the risk of this disease when you come in contact with the deer's blood and organs.

Why is venison so filling? ›

Venison is richer in protein than other red meats, meaning it will fill you up and keep you sated longer. A 3-ounce serving of venison has 26 grams of protein, while the same amount of beef has 24 ounces of protein.

Is eating venison good for you? ›

Venison is high in essential amino acids and in addition, a rich source of thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, iron, and zinc. Venison meat is a perfect choice of protein for those who suffer from cardiovascular disease and are searching for low cholesterol and saturated fat protein choices.

Why is deer meat banned in India? ›

Deer is scheduled wild animal in India. It is reserved as ' Danger' category. Hence till now Deer Farming is not allowed in India. Few Animals like Rabbits are moved out of Protected Danger Category hence rabbit farming is now legal.

Why don't we farm venison? ›

Fears of chronic wasting disease

Since chronic wasting disease (CWD), a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy similar to mad cow disease, can pass from wild populations of deer to farmed deer, there has been some fear of contamination of the food supply.

What do Americans call venison? ›

The term venison was originally used to describe the meat of any furred game, but in Britain it has come to mean the meat from deer (though in America it means the meat from antelope, caribou, elk, moose and reindeer, as well as deer).

What is horse meat called? ›

Horse meat is called “sakura niku” or cherry blossom meat, thus horse meat hot pot is referred to as sakura nabe. There are multiple theories as to the origin of the expression. Some claim it derives from the pink color of the meat which is similar to the beautiful cherry blossoms.

Where does store-bought venison come from? ›

In fact, the meat probably isn't even from the United States. It's estimated that over 85 percent of venison sold in the United States, to include Arby's famous venison sandwiches, comes from red deer farms in New Zealand.

What is baby deer meat called? ›

Deer meat is called Venison. A baby deer is called. Fawn. There is no term for Fawn meat, cause people do. not generally eat it...oh wait, here a delicious “Grilled.

Is venison a cow or deer? ›

Venison typically refers to game meat that is sourced from white-tailed deer, reindeer, caribou, elk, moose, antelope, and other non-native animals such as red deer (most commonly found in Europe), roe deer. It tends to have a richer and more intense flavor due to the animal's natural diet and the way it was hunted.

What is another name for venison? ›

What is another word for venison?
wildmeatbushmeat
gamegame meat
wild-caught meatwild game

Is deer considered red meat? ›

ARM nutrient retentions of thiamin and the B vitamins were greater than for beef. This study indicates that these alternate red meat products can serve as a healthful substitute for red meat. Alternative sources of red meat have emerged in the US meat supply. These sources include: bison, deer, elk, emu and ostrich.

Is elk or venison better? ›

Most game tends to be healthier for us than store bought meats, but elk is even better for you than venison! And that's just the actual nutritional value of eating your harvested meat. There is also huge health returns for the hunt itself.

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