How to prepare venison fillet properly - venison loin and more

The venison fillet is arguably the most exquisite and valuable cut of the animal. Mistakes can easily occur, rendering the rare meat inedible. In this guide, we'll explain how to properly roast or fry venison and what temperature you need for it.

Venison fillets need an internal temperature of 54 to 58 degrees Celsius. They come from the loin and are therefore the most exquisite cut of the animal. Herbs and berries, as well as salt and pepper , are suitable seasonings. Wine, seasonal fruit and vegetables, pumpkin seed oil, and olive oil are excellent for sauces and marinades.

Venison loin vs venison fillets

There are various cuts of venison : the venison leg , the venison shoulder , the venison loin , and the back fillet and tenderloin . The back fillet is the muscle strand along the animal's spine. This strand contains both the fillet and the back fillet . The fillet represents the inner muscle, while the back fillet represents the outer muscle.

For this reason, the venison loin is the finest and highest-quality cut of venison . There are several ways to prepare this cut. You can prepare the loin whole by searing it on all sides and then slowly cooking it in the oven.

You can also divide the meat into fillet pieces . It's best to consult a butcher or watch this video . The butcher will give you the boned fillets , which also guarantees the origin and freshness of the meat. Venison fillets are usually served as steaks.

How to roast venison fillet properly

Both the venison loin fillet and the venison fillet are prepared in the same way. The cooking time is also the same for both cuts of meat. Both are meats suitable for quick roasting. Please note: This is the highest quality and most refined meat in the entire venison . Therefore, you should handle it very carefully to ensure the meat is a success.

Bring your fillets to room temperature beforehand. If they're frozen, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator. Learn more about frozen meat here . Heat oil in a pan and place your meat in the iron. Alternatively, you can grill the meat – preheat a grill and set up a direct and indirect zone at the same time. You can find grilling tips and tricks on our YouTube channel .

It's best to sear the meat in a pan or on the grill and then let it cook gently. You need an internal temperature of 54 to 58 degrees Celsius. This method will keep your meat juicy and pink on the inside.

However, you should let the steaks rest for a few minutes once they've reached your desired degree of doneness. This stabilizes the juices and ensures the meat stays juicy and tender. Then, slice your steaks with a sharp knife . Now just season with a little salt and pepper , and you're ready to serve.

Cooking venison until tender and pink - the preparation

Now you know how to prepare your prime cuts as steaks. But you can also prepare the venison saddle whole. To ensure the meat stays tender and pink inside, we've put together a few steps for you as a brief overview:

  • Let your meat temper
  • Remove the silver skin
  • Roast spices such as rosemary, thyme, pepper, juniper berries and bay leaves in the pan
  • Gently rub the game spice into your meat
  • Fry the venison saddle on all sides in the pan
  • Place the meat in a roasting pan or on baking paper
  • Now place it in the oven preheated to 140 °C
  • Now let the venison roast cook in the oven for 18 to 20 minutes
  • Then remove from the oven
  • Now serve the roast with sauce and side dishes

Note: You need an internal temperature of 54 to 58 degrees Celsius for the venison loin . This also applies to the leg . If you prefer the venison well done, you should aim for 70 to 74 degrees Celsius. If you're cooking a shoulder , it should always have an internal temperature of 80 to 84 degrees Celsius. You can find more recipes on our YouTube channel .

Season and marinate venison

The following spices generally go well with venison : juniper, rosemary, thyme, bay leaves, allspice, cranberries, and salt and pepper . However, we recommend our own spice blend, Burger Seasoning . It goes well with any meat dish and gives your meal an extra kick.

You can also use these spices to make your marinade. Mix some pumpkin seed or olive oil with the spices and marinate your venison in the marinade in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Make sure the meat is well covered with the liquid. The marinade will make your meat beautifully tender, as the oil breaks down the protein structure of the venison . Alternatively, you can also make a marinade with red wine.

To make the perfect sauce, sauté seasonal vegetables and fruit in a pan with clarified butter . Then deglaze with game stock or red wine and add the game spices . Let it reduce slightly. Purée the contents of the pan and bring it back to a boil. Feel free to add balsamic vinegar. Season to taste with salt and pepper , and you've got a perfect sauce. You can find tutorials on our YouTube channel .

Perfect for marinade and sauce

freybergers burger seasoning Burger Seasoning klein - natürlich von Freyberger
Freyberger's Burger Seasoning
meersalzflocken maldon - natürlich von Freyberger
Maldon Sea Salt Flakes
islandische meersalzflocken Meersalzflocken Nordur Salt - natürlich von Freyberger
Icelandic sea salt flakes
Game spice
Game spice
spyridoulas greek extra virgin olive oil Olivenoel - natürlich von Freyberger
Spyridoula's 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil
stebers butterschmalz stebers butterschmalz 600g - natürlich von Freyberger
Steber's clarified butter
rotkohlgewurz KoenigsbergerRotkohlgewuerz80g vorneKopie - natürlich von Freyberger
Red cabbage spice

FAQ

It is best to sear venison fillet on both sides and then let it cook gently.

Venison fillet needs an internal temperature of 54 to 58 degrees Celsius.

Game meat stays juicy by searing it quickly and then cooking it gently.

The best way to prepare game is to sear it on all sides and then continue cooking it gently.

Prepare venison by searing it on all sides and then gently cooking it. Add herbs, berries, salt, and pepper for the perfect seasoning. Pumpkin seed and olive oil are good bases for the marinade. For the sauce, use red wine.

Our conclusion

To properly prepare venison fillet , the only suitable method is usually as a steak from the pan or on the grill. When we talk about venison fillets , we are talking about the venison loin fillet or the fillet . Both are cuts from the loin of venison . For this reason, the loin of venison is the most valuable part of the animal. An internal temperature of 54 to 58 °C is the best choice if you want the meat to still be pink on the inside. Herbs and berries are always recommended as seasonings, in addition to the standard spices . This also applies to marinating. Seasonal fruit and vegetables, as well as a game stock or red wine base, are suitable for the sauce.