Recipe: Venison with Blueberry Bourbon Sauce

by
posted on December 4, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
venisonwblueberrysauce_lead.jpg

Combine Bourbon and blueberries in this five-star treatment for your venison backstrap.

Meat
2-3 pounds of venison backstrap trimmed and ready for the grill

Blueberry Bourbon Sauce Ingredients
2 cups of fresh blueberries
½ cup bourbon whiskey (Good old Canadian rye whiskey can be a substitute)
½ lemon juiced
⅔ cup of white sugar
1 Tbsp corn starch
½ cup water

1. The loin can be cooked whole or sliced into 1- to 1 ½-inch steaks. Sprinkle with Montreal steak spice of similar seasoning. Do not use anything to overpower the natural flavors of the venison.

2. Meat is to be prepared in a sizzling hot cast iron fry pan. Approximately 3 tbsp. of lard or olive oil is required to grease the pan. Sear back strap or steaks until rich brown, which normally takes about 2 minutes per side. I prefer to cook the meat as one piece, as it will hold the juices better and make it more flavorful. It is important not to overcook the venison if you want tender meat. Medium rare is ideal and anything done past medium will make meat tough.

3. Combine berries, whiskey, lemon and sugar in a small saucepan and heat to a gentle boil. Simmer the contents for 10 minutes until well blended, allowing the flavor and juice of the berries to cook into a sauce.  Stir carefully to keep berries from being crushed in the sauce.

4. To thicken the sauce, add corn starch and water and whip together with a fork. Add starch mixture to simmering berries. Maintain on heat until the mixture is well blended and consistent in texture. Use a spoon to see if the sauce is thick enough to stick to the metal surface and you’ll know it’s ready to serve.

5. When your meal is ready to serve slice the back strap into thin medallions or place steaks on serving plates and top each piece with several heaping tablespoons of the blueberry sauce.

Latest

Landmark
Landmark

Landmark Increase in Hunting Access to Federal Land on the Horizon

The Department of Interior has released details of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) proposed expansion of hunting and sport fishing opportunities, the largest in agency history. National Park Service actions to remove unnecessary hunting-related restrictions across National Park System units—where hunting is authorized by law—were also included in the announcement.

Bear(ly) Armed—Bear Defense Calibers

A perusal of some fun and effective sidearm options for your spring black bear adventures.

First Look: Lumenok Adds Two Lighted Crossbow Nocks

Lumenok has introduced two additions to its lighted nock lineup: the TP 254 Nock for TenPoint bolts and the SQ300 Nock for Scorpyd crossbows.

Range Review: Winchester Supreme Long Range Ammo

Winchester's latest ammunition line is the Supreme Long Range centerfire rifle ammo, and that line is built around its BC Max projectile. Using a thick, drawn copper jacket, steep boattail at the rear and a relatively oversized polymer tip, the BC Max bullet is built for resisting wind deflection and retaining energy downrange. Check out Phil Massaro's review of the new ammo line here.

First Look: Hunter Specialties Trio of Deer Calls

Hunters Specialties has announced an all-new lineup of grunt tubes for 2026.

Arkansas Has Best Turkey Harvest in Two Decades—a Product of Sound Management

Arkansas turkey hunters checked 13,591 turkeys during this year’s season, which ended May 10. It was the highest spring turkey harvest since 2006.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.