Venison bacon is growing in popularity due to its rich smoky flavor and leaner fat content compared to traditional pork bacon. If you’ve got your hands on some venison bacon, cooking it in the oven is one of the easiest and most foolproof cooking methods.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to cook delicious venison bacon in the oven, from start to finish. You’ll learn oven temperatures, cook times, prep tips, storage advice, and more
Let’s get started!
Why Cook Venison Bacon in the Oven?
Cooking venison bacon in the oven has several advantages:
- Even heating from all sides, which prevents undercooking
- Easy to cook large batches evenly
- Minimal splattering compared to stovetop
- Allows excess fat to drip away for healthier result
- Oven provides a hands-off cooking method
The dry environment and constant heat of the oven produces crispy, well-browned venison bacon every time.
Step 1: Choose the Right Venison Bacon
Not all venison bacon is created equal. Here’s what to look for:
-
Thickness – Choose thick slices about 1⁄4 inch thick for the best oven results. Thinner slices can overcook quickly.
-
Quality – Opt for nicely marbled bacon from the belly area for great texture and fat content.
-
Flavor – If you can, choose dry cured or naturally smoked venison bacon for the best flavor.
-
Freshness – The bacon should look moist and feel slightly tacky, not dried out. Avoid any off odors.
Getting high-quality, fresh venison bacon sets you up for delicious oven-baked results.
Step 2: Prepare the Baking Sheet
To prevent sticking, line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. For extra crispy bacon, place a wire cooling rack on the baking sheet to elevate the bacon and allow air flow.
Pro Tip: For easy cleanup, cover the sheet edges with foil to catch any drips.
Step 3: Arrange the Bacon
Lay the venison bacon slices flat on the prepared baking sheet. Make sure the slices aren’t overlapping each other.
Evenly spacing them will allow the bacon to cook evenly and prevent burnt edges.
Step 4: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F. This high temperature helps render the fat and make the venison bacon nice and crispy.
Some ovens run hot, so start checking for doneness at the lower end of the cook time range. You can always leave it in longer if needed.
Step 5: Cook the Venison Bacon
Once preheated, place the baking sheet with the venison bacon in the oven. Cook for 12-18 minutes, depending on thickness.
Check frequently and remove once it’s as crispy as you like. The bacon will continue cooking a bit after removal from the oven.
Step 6: Drain and Blot the Bacon
When the venison bacon is cooked, transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels. This will soak up any excess grease for a healthier result.
Blot gently with additional paper towels to remove as much surface grease as possible.
Step 7: Enjoy Your Venison Bacon!
Once drained, the venison bacon is ready to enjoy! Use it any way you would traditional bacon.
Some tasty options:
- On a sandwich or burger
- In a salad or wrap
- As a pizza or baked potato topping
- In omelets, frittatas, or quiche
- Crumble over soups or casseroles
With its rich, woodsy flavor, venison bacon adds a tasty twist to many dishes. Get creative with how you use it!
Handy Venison Bacon Cooking Tips
Follow these tips for flawless oven-baked venison bacon every time:
-
Rotate the pan halfway through cooking for even browning.
-
Add a splash of water to the baking sheet to control splattering.
-
Cook thicker bacon at a lower temp (350°F) for crispy results without burning.
-
Use tongs to transfer cooked bacon to prevent breakage.
-
Save the rendered bacon fat for cooking other foods!
-
Undercook slightly and let carryover cooking finish it off.
Storing and Reheating Venison Bacon
Properly stored, venison bacon keeps for up to 1 week refrigerated or 2 months frozen. Here are some storage tips:
-
Allow cooked bacon to cool completely before refrigerating.
-
Store in an airtight container to prevent drying out and losing flavor.
-
For longer storage, wrap tightly in plastic and freeze.
To reheat, place on a baking sheet and cook at 400°F for 2-3 minutes until warmed through and crispy. Fried quickly in a skillet also works well.
Common Venison Bacon Questions
If you’re new to cooking venison bacon, here are answers to some frequent questions:
Is venison bacon healthier than pork?
Yes! Venison is very lean so its bacon contains less saturated fat than pork. It has a higher ratio of good fats.
Does venison bacon taste gamey?
Farmed venison tends to be more mild. The taste depends on the deer’s diet. Light smoking masks any gaminess.
Can I season the venison before cooking?
Absolutely! Try coatings like brown sugar, cracked pepper, chili powder, mustard powder, or minced garlic.
Is venison bacon safe to eat medium?
No, always cook venison bacon to 145°F minimum internal temperature to kill any bacteria present.
How long does venison bacon last?
Refrigerated, it lasts 5-7 days. For longer storage, freeze for 2-3 months.
Can I bake venison bacon on a sheet pan?
Yes, a sheet pan works great! Line it with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
What’s the best way to crisp up venison bacon?
Cooking at a high temp (400°F) on a wire rack set over a baking sheet crisps it up perfectly.
Now that you’re a venison bacon baking pro, try it in your oven today! From choosing quality bacon to prepping the pan to cooking, draining, and storing it, you have all the steps needed for oven-baked venison bacon success.
Making Venison Bacon so easy
FAQ
Is it better to bake bacon at 350 or 400?
How to tell when venison bacon is done?
How long does it take to cook bacon in the oven?
How long should bacon be in the oven at 400 degrees?
Can you cook venison Bacon in a cast iron skillet?
Of course, if you prefer you can cook venison bacon in a cast iron skillet in the oven instead of on the stove top. To do this, simply lay the venison bacon in the cast iron skillet, set it in the oven and turn the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook it for 6 to 8 minutes per side and then serve it. How Is Venison Bacon Made?
How long does venison Bacon take to cook?
Venison bacon is not as greasy as regular bacon. The pieces are much larger so they are easier to turn over and best of all, venison bacon only requires cooking for 6 to 8 minutes per side. It is best to fry venison bacon in a cast iron skillet using a medium heat setting. Don’t worry about adding extra fat when cooking up venison bacon.
How to make venison bacon?
To make venison bacon, combine curing salt, salt, powdered milk, brown sugar, liquid smoke, and seasonings in a large bowl with cold water. Mix well. Then, line a 9 X 13 pan with plastic wrap and press the meat mixture evenly into it to eliminate air pockets, making it about 2-inches thick.
How to make a bacon-wrapped venison backstrap?
To make a bacon-wrapped venison backstrap in the oven, first marinate the roast in teriyaki sauce and drain it. Arrange 8 pieces of bacon side by side on a work surface or cutting board and lay two pieces of bacon in the middle end to end. Wrap the venison backstrap with the bacon and secure it with toothpicks.