Grilling the perfect venison steak can be a daunting task. But with a few easy steps, you’ll have the perfect steak in no time! Start by selecting the right cut of venison and preparing it for grilling. Then heat up the grill and cook your steak to perfection. Finally, check for doneness and let the steak rest before serving. With these simple instructions, you’ll be able to make an incredible meal that will impress all your dinner guests!
Choose the Right Cut of Venison
You’ll want to make sure you pick the right cut of venison for grilling – it’ll make or break your steak! The best cuts for grilling are the loin, tenderloin, and ribeye. These cuts are leaner than other parts of the deer, so they won’t dry out as quickly when cooked. When selecting a cut of venison, look for one that is bright red in color with no discoloration or bruising. You can also ask your butcher to recommend a good cut for grilling. Once you have chosen your cut of venison, consider what seasoning options and marinade ideas you would like to use on it before cooking. This will help bring out the flavor of the meat and give it an extra boost of flavor. With these tips in mind, you’re ready to move onto preparing the steak!
Prepare the Steak
Preparing the steak is key to unlocking its flavor potential. Before beginning the grilling process, marinating techniques and seasoning options should be considered to ensure a flavorful result. The most popular marinades for venison are red wine, Worcestershire sauce, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, and herbs like rosemary or thyme. When it comes to seasoning your steak with salt and pepper before cooking it on the grill make sure to be generous as the fat content of venison can mask some of that flavor. With these considerations taken into account you’ll be ready for the next step: preheating the grill for maximum taste success!
Preheat the Grill
Before beginning the grilling process, preheating the grill is essential for a delectable result. For best results, use charcoal or wood to preheat your grill and start adding smoke to the meat. This will create a great flavor profile that complements marinades and other seasonings you may have used on your steak. Once you can feel the heat emanating from your grill, it’s ready to be used for cooking or searing your venison steak.
Getting the right temperature on your grill is critical in order to achieve an evenly cooked steak with an ideal texture and flavor. Once you have achieved that perfect temperature, it’s time to move onto grilling the steak and bringing out its succulent flavors.
Grill the Steak
To properly grill a venison steak, you should cook it on high heat. Make sure to turn the steak often so that it cooks evenly on both sides. Don’t forget to check the internal temperature with a thermometer to ensure that your steak is cooked to perfection.
Cook on High Heat
Heat your grill to high so you can get that perfect sear. Once the grill is hot, add your venison steaks and let them cook for a few minutes before turning. Depending on the thickness of your steaks, you may need to adjust the heat or flip them more often to ensure they don’t burn. To create an extra flavorful steak, you can marinate it overnight with various flavors like rosemary, garlic, and thyme. This will help bring out even more flavor as the steak cooks. Controlling the heat is key when grilling any type of meat; too low and it won’t cook all the way through, too high and it will char before cooking evenly. When cooking venison steaks on a hot grill, keep an eye on them and turn every couple of minutes until done.
Turn and Cook Evenly
Once your venison steak has been marinated with flavors of your choice, it’s time to get cooking. As you turn the steak over on the grill, make sure that both sides are cooked evenly and that the heat is distributed throughout. The best way to ensure even cooking is by flipping every few minutes or so, until both sides have had a good amount of contact with the heat. It’s also important to keep an eye on the internal temperature of the meat, as this will determine when it is done. With a digital thermometer, you can easily monitor how well done your venison steak is without cutting into it and losing its juices. This way, you won’t end up with an overcooked or undercooked steak. As soon as your desired temperature has been reached, it’s time to move onto checking for doneness.
Check for Doneness
Gently press the steak with your fingertip to check if it’s done – if it springs back, it’s ready to be served! Feel for any give and also pay attention to the color of the steak. If you’ve seasoned your venison steaks adequately and cooked them within the appropriate time frame, they should be a nice caramelized grey-brown. If they are dark brown in color, they are likely overcooked and dry. You can also use a meat thermometer to ensure doneness. Venison should be cooked to an internal temperature of 135°F (57°C). Once it has reached that temperature, remove from heat and let rest for at least five minutes before serving.
Let the Steak Rest
After you’ve cooked the steak to your desired doneness, be sure to let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Letting the steak rest allows the juices to redistribute throughout and makes for a juicier, more flavorful steak. It’s important to let venison steaks rest after marinating them in various sauces or basting options, as this will help ensure that all of those delicious flavors are locked in and allowed to really permeate the meat. The length of time needed for resting varies depending on the thickness of your particular steaks – generally 5 minutes should do if they’re not too thick. If you have thicker cuts of venison steaks, allow them to rest up to 10 minutes so that they can finish cooking through without becoming dry.
Conclusion
You’ve done it! You’ve just grilled the perfect venison steak. Now it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Slice into the steak and see how perfectly cooked it is – juicy, tender and flavorful. Serve with your favorite sides or toppings and savor every bite of this delicious meal.
Grilling a perfect venison steak isn’t difficult if you choose the right cut, prepare it correctly, preheat your grill, follow instructions on cooking time and doneness, and let the steak rest before serving. With these simple steps in mind, you can confidently create a delicious venison steak that will leave everyone at your table satisfied.