Smoked Venison Burgers
Perfect smoked venison burgers with simple seasoning that highlights wild game flavor. Learn low heat and wood smoke techniques for juicy results.
Smoked Venison Burgers
This recipe comes to us from Casey Bard, founder of Tacticalories Seasoning Co. and longtime collaborator and friend of Montana Knife Company.
4
15 minutes
135 minutes
280
American
Dinner
Growing up, I ate venison several nights a week. We kept the prep simple and let the flavors speak for themselves. These smoked venison burgers stick to that philosophy, with just enough seasoning to complement the meat without disguising what makes wild game special.
After years of testing different methods, I’ve found that smoking creates the juiciest deer burgers you’ll ever eat. The low heat and wood smoke combo produces burgers that beat anything from the grocery store.
Ingredients
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- 1 lb. fresh ground venison
- 2 Tbsp. your favorite pepper blend seasoning
- Burger buns
- Your favorite toppings: cheddar cheese, bacon, caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, pickles, or your preferred condiments
Directions
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Mix one tablespoon of pepper blend into your ground venison, working it through with clean hands until evenly distributed. Handle the meat gently to keep your smoked deer burgers tender.
Form the seasoned venison into four equal patties, making a slight indentation in the center of each with your thumb. This prevents the smoked venison burgers from puffing up during cooking.
Dust each patty with the remaining tablespoon of seasoning, coating both sides evenly.
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Preheat your smoker to 225°F using hickory or oak wood for complementary flavor.
Place your smoked deer burgers directly on the grates, leaving space between each patty for smoke circulation.
Smoke for approximately two hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F for food safety. The low, slow heat creates juicy smoked venison burgers with deep smoke penetration.
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Grilling: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Grill your seasoned venison burgers for four to five minutes per side, reaching an internal temperature of 160°F.
Pan-frying: Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat with a touch of oil. Cook the venison burgers for four to five minutes per side until they reach 160°F internally.
