Venison Sloppy Joes
When it comes to weeknight meals that satisfy the whole family, sloppy joes are a classic American weeknight meal. But what if you could take this beloved dish and give it a hearty, rustic spin? Enter venison sloppy joes. Not only is this recipe an excellent way to use the venison tucked away in your freezer, but it also elevates the flavor profile of a dish we all know and love.
Why Use Venison
Venison is one of my favorite ingredients to cook with, and it shines in a recipe like sloppy joes. With its rich flavor and lean texture, venison adds a depth to the dish that’s hard to replicate with ground beef.
Plus, using venison is a great way to honor the effort that goes into hunting and sourcing wild game.
If you’re new to cooking with venison, this recipe is an approachable place to start. The bold sauce balances the robust flavor of the meat perfectly, making it appealing even to those who might not be accustomed to eating venison.
Homemade sloppy joe sauce is a breeze to make- you’ll never want to but a sloppy joe mix at the grocery store again!
Venison Sloppy Joes are a Family-Friendly Meal
Sloppy joes are known for being messy, fun, and kid-approved. This version is no different! My kids love the slight smoky twist the venison brings, and I love knowing they’re eating a nutritious meal packed with protein. It’s one of those dishes where everyone ends up at the table with big smiles (and maybe a little sauce on their faces).
And let’s be honest, anything served on a buttery, toasted bun is an instant win. Pair it with some crispy fries or a simple side salad, and you’ve got dinner handled.
A Simple Venison Recipe for an Easy Dinner
When I’m developing new recipes, I’m always looking to make them as simple as I can. These homemade venison sloppy joes are no exception!
This is the perfect recipe for those busy weeknights when you need something quick and nutritious. There’s no prep time other than thawing your meat prior to cooking.
It’s also a great recipe to cook for a crowd!
What You’ll Need for Venison Sloppy Joes
The full recipe is at the bottom of the post in the recipe card, but here is a run down of what is needed.
You will need the following ingredients:
- Venison- ground deer or elk meat.
- Ketchup- regular ketchup. Nothing fancy needed!
- Liquid- beef broth OR just use water. I often just do water, because that’s what I have available. But, when I can I will use beef broth for a more flavorful sloppy joe.
- Sugar- light brown sugar
- Mustard- yellow mustard
- Spices- salt, onion powder, and garlic powder
- Hamburger Buns- Use your favorite store-bought buns, or make your own! Brioche buns are a personal favorite.
Need Venison?
Grass-Fed Venison
Ground Venison- Ancestral Blend
Ground elk
You’ll need the following tools and supplies:
- Skillet- you’ll need a large heavy duty skillet. I use my cast iron skillet.
- Measuring Spoons and Cup
- Spoon or Meat Chopper- I always use my handy meat chopper when cooking ground meat, but a wooden spoon or spatula works as well.
How to make Venison Sloppy Joes
Step 1: Add the ground venison to a large skillet that has been heated to medium heat. Cook meat until no longer pink and cooked through. If you have any excess fat, go ahead and drain it.
Step 2: Add in the ketchup, broth, yellow mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, and brown sugar.
Step 4: Stir it in to combine. Cover, and let simmer 10 minutes until the sauce is thickened.
Step 5: Spoon the cooked venison mixture over the bottom bun halves, top with the other half, and serve!
Recipe Notes & Variations
- Veggie Add-ins- dice an onion and bell pepper to sauté with the ground venison for added flavor and nutrients. You can omit the onion powder if you go this route.
- Other Substitutions- use freshly minced garlic instead of garlic powder.
F.A.Q’s
For a quick and easy option, my favorite sides to serve these venison sloppy joes are plain potato chips or French fries. You can also serve my smashed potatoes.
If the sauce is too thin, let it simmer 2-3 minutes longer to create a thicker sauce. If it’s too thick, add a splash of water or beef broth to thin it out.
Classic options include shredded cheese, pickles, or coleslaw. For a delicious gourmet-like twist, try topping with caramelized onions. My personal favorite is an extra generous squeeze of yellow mustard over top the filling!
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Venison Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
Directions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add in the ground venison and cook until no longer pink and cooked through. Drain any excess and return the cooked meat to the skillet.
- Add in the ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt. Stir well, making sure to combine all ingredients well.
- Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken.
- Spoon onto hamburger buns and serve!
Made this last night with ground venison from our freezer and it was so good! The sauce has great flavor without being too sweet, and it came together really fast. Definitely saving this one.
This was delicious! I’m always looking for new ways to use venison and this recipe was super easy and really flavorful. Even my picky eater liked it!
I made this and it was so easy and delicious!