Who Else Doesn't Make Deer Sausage?

[JIvers]

Something I've wondered about for a while, so I decided to ask: who else hunts deer, but doesn't have any of the meat made in to sausage of any sort? I ask because I not only hear non-hunters say "I don't like venison, but I like deer sausage!", but I know hunters who have a lot of their deer meat made in to summer sausage, brats, etc., as well.

It's been at least ten years, probably more, since I had sausage made from a deer I shot, and I've probably tagged at least fifteen of them in that time. I decided it was too expensive, especially since I like venison just fine as it is.

I like loins grilled medium rare with the right seasoning, roasts well done in a slow cooker, steaks either used to make homemade jerky, or marinated in whatever spices work with what I am using them for--chili, Thai, etc.--with shanks, hocks, neck meat, and trim likewise used for Mexican or Asian-style food. I also no longer grind the trim up in to hamburger--it is too much work, IMO.

I should note that I shoot mostly does, so if I took mature bucks on a more regular basis it might make a difference. Of course, I've killed three or four mature bucks in the last ten years, and didn't make sausage out of them, either, and they turned out fine. I personally believe the "gamey" taste many people complain about in venison comes from not preparing it properly, and that includes bucks.

[Crm7290]

I'm a nonhunter who doesn't like deer sausage. Never noticed the "gamey" taste. Just need to cook them so that they are not close to dry in the center, like medium, medium well. Grilled and in pans, they are amazing. I have received burger from them, didn't have to grind it myself (I think they bring theirs to a butcher) and have used it in chilli. I even snuck and fed my family venison telling them it was ground beef, was that wrong?

[archerystud]

I always keep the backstraps even though my wife doesn't like them. If I don't fry them up for myself then I later in the year I slice them thin and make jerky out of them. Never had a problem with people not liking that.

[hockeybc69]

Backstraps for jerky????

Thats a new one!!!

Not sure how anyone can tell that sausages are venison, since most of it is mixed up to 50% with pork anyway.

As with my sisters and wife, if they have an inkling its venison, they hate it.

But when I have surprised them, they somehow like it, until they find out what it is.

So now none of them will even try anything I have because they know darn well I am gonna surprise them... Quite stupid if you ask me.

[Crm7290]

hockey, when I fed them chili they were under the impression that it was ground beef. Never did tell them the ate Bambi

[matchset]

its all in how u prepare it. i'm a "diehard", and even i can admit to haven eaten some "gamey" meat.

i chose to be selective; and i cut all the "tallow" off the meat. that is what makes venison chewy and undesirable .

as to the topic.... i don't make that much sausage. i was fortnate to harvest 4 deer and a moose this fall.

all of which we probably made less than 100lbs of sausage.

[hockeybc69]

Quote:

hockey, when I fed them chili they were under the impression that it was ground beef.

Yep, thats what I am talking about. I made sloppy joes years ago with venison burger, and my sister was raving about how good it was.... And then I sprung it on her....

Her next response,"I thought I tasted something different."

And she was immediately done.

OK, back to sausage talk.

Oh, she wont eat the sausage I make either, because its got venison.

[reinhard1]

some of you probably know this but if there is someone who does not like the "gammy" taste of venison try this, it works. first make sure all the tallow is off. then poke a few holes in the meat and soak the meat in milk overnight in the fridge and rinse off the next day before cooking. works every time. good luck.

[archerystud]

Backstraps for jerky????

Thats a new one!!!

It goes over VERY well!!

[juniordo1]

I have never used any of my venison for sausage. I make chops, steaks, roasts, and hamburger (not cut with anything)out of all my deer. It is nice to not have to buy hamburger for a good portion of the year. I never have any of my own venison left by September 1st. My wife and kids LOVE vension.

If my relatives have left over burger at the end of the summer they will have me make it into venison hamburger jerky which is a snack favorite all the way to deer camp.

I do like venison sausage but have tasted very few that have any venison tatste to them.

[NIBOWMAN]

All of my deer gets cut into boneless steaks, roasts, or ground for burger. It has been years since we have bought beef in my house, except maybe for the occasional ribeye. My kids have grown up eating venison and think beef has an unusual taste. My family and friends know if they are eating red meat at my house they are eating the heathiest meat available, venison.

[DonBo]

Mostly just steaks roasts and ground for us too. RARELY do we buy any beef. I do make some into jerky and throw the occassional roast in the smoker.

[BigJakeL]

Ya, I don't make any either we go through and grind most of it the rest is steaks and roast.

[harvey lee]

WE eat 2 plus deer a year. I have sausage, venison sticks, dried venison, ring bologna, breakfast links made right along with all the regulare cuts of meat. We rarely buy any pork or beef.

I have made venisons roast that are so tender and non gamey that one would never know it's venison and is as tender as any cut of meat around. We eat about 15 sticks of venison sausage a year. I eat many sausade sandwiches a year and really like it.

We also eat alot of venison hamburger for burgers and for things like chili and spaghetti.

The only cut of meat my wife will not eat is the tenderloins as she does not like the fact of where the cuts come from on the inside of the deer. All the better for me..

[fr0sty]

No sausage here. Steaks, roasts and ground from trim. I make jerkey at home from some of the roasts and trim.

[ANYFISH2]

Steakes, roasts and burger for us. We give my dad 20 lbs of burger every year that he makes ino sausage for himself. Just don't eat enough sausage to justify the price to make.

[SartellMN]

The gamey taste for me is all about moisture. If you take 93% lean ground beef and make it into a burger, it does not taste all that good either. The reason people like venison "sausage" is the sausage retains moisture and some of the fat from the pork most people add. Sausage makers add ice and water to make sausage more juicy and palatable.

My wife is not taken with venison mainly because she only likes meat well done. But wrap a piece of venison in bacon, secure with a toothpick, and no one cares.