Prep time
10 minutes
Cook time
20 minutes
Course
Main
Skill level
Intermediate
Season
Fall, Winter
Serves
4
Thanksgiving is typically a holiday of tradition. But breaking tradition can be just as satisfying as roasting a turkey, cracking some canned cranberry sauce, and heaping whipped cream atop a slice of pumpkin pie.
Whether your gathering is small or you need an excuse to celebrate the buck you just tagged, try this special venison recipe as your main dish. The rub has the nostalgic flavor of sage with a hint of smoke added to the salt, and the steaks basted with toasty brown butter make for a delicious finish. This dish is so damn good that it might just become a new tradition.
Ingredients
- 4 venison loin steaks
- 3 tsp. smoked sea salt
- 1½ tsp. plain sea salt
- ¾ tsp. coarse ground black pepper
- 8 to 12 fresh sage leaves
- 1 to 2 tbsp. cooking oil
- 4 tbsp. butter, chopped
Also works with
Special equipment
Preparation
- Mince four of the sage leaves and reserve the rest. Blend the salts, pepper, and minced sage together, and rub the mixture over the venison steaks. Note that you may not need all of the spice rub—reserve what you don’t use. You can do this step hours before you cook or immediately before you plan to sear.
- Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat on the stovetop or use a cast iron pan over a charcoal fire. You’ll need a pan big enough to accommodate all of the steaks without overcrowding, or you’ll have to work in batches. Once the pan is hot, add a glug of oil and swirl to coat the bottom. Lay down each steak and cook for 2 to 4 minutes. The steaks should sizzle, but not fry and sputter oil. Flip the steaks when brown.
- Top each piece of meat with one or two sage leaves. Drop the butter into the pan and let it foam. Then tilt the pan to the side and use a spoon to scoop the melted butter and baste it over the top of each steak. The hot butter should gently fry the sage leaves and coat the venison.
- Repeat this process for a few minutes and start to feel the steaks for doneness. Use a meat thermometer if needed and remove the steaks at 125°F internal for rare, 130°F for medium-rare, and 135°F for medium.
- Transfer to a cutting board and let the steaks rest uncovered for 5 to 8 minutes. Serve with buttery mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce.
*If you prefer to cook your steaks directly on the grill, lightly coat each piece in oil after seasoning. Top with sage leaves after flipping and drizzle foaming hot butter over the tops before serving.
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(1)Butter-Basted Venison Steaks
Prep time
10 minutes
Cook time
20 minutes
Course
Main
Skill level
Intermediate
Season
Fall, Winter
Serves
4
Thanksgiving is typically a holiday of tradition. But breaking tradition can be just as satisfying as roasting a turkey, cracking some canned cranberry sauce, and heaping whipped cream atop a slice of pumpkin pie.
Whether your gathering is small or you need an excuse to celebrate the buck you just tagged, try this special venison recipe as your main dish. The rub has the nostalgic flavor of sage with a hint of smoke added to the salt, and the steaks basted with toasty brown butter make for a delicious finish. This dish is so damn good that it might just become a new tradition.
Ingredients
- 4 venison loin steaks
- 3 tsp. smoked sea salt
- 1½ tsp. plain sea salt
- ¾ tsp. coarse ground black pepper
- 8 to 12 fresh sage leaves
- 1 to 2 tbsp. cooking oil
- 4 tbsp. butter, chopped
Also works with
Special equipment
Preparation
- Mince four of the sage leaves and reserve the rest. Blend the salts, pepper, and minced sage together, and rub the mixture over the venison steaks. Note that you may not need all of the spice rub—reserve what you don’t use. You can do this step hours before you cook or immediately before you plan to sear.
- Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat on the stovetop or use a cast iron pan over a charcoal fire. You’ll need a pan big enough to accommodate all of the steaks without overcrowding, or you’ll have to work in batches. Once the pan is hot, add a glug of oil and swirl to coat the bottom. Lay down each steak and cook for 2 to 4 minutes. The steaks should sizzle, but not fry and sputter oil. Flip the steaks when brown.
- Top each piece of meat with one or two sage leaves. Drop the butter into the pan and let it foam. Then tilt the pan to the side and use a spoon to scoop the melted butter and baste it over the top of each steak. The hot butter should gently fry the sage leaves and coat the venison.
- Repeat this process for a few minutes and start to feel the steaks for doneness. Use a meat thermometer if needed and remove the steaks at 125°F internal for rare, 130°F for medium-rare, and 135°F for medium.
- Transfer to a cutting board and let the steaks rest uncovered for 5 to 8 minutes. Serve with buttery mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce.
*If you prefer to cook your steaks directly on the grill, lightly coat each piece in oil after seasoning. Top with sage leaves after flipping and drizzle foaming hot butter over the tops before serving.