Venison bacon is a delicious treat for hunters and foodies alike. Made from lean flavorful cuts of deer meat, venison bacon offers a tasty alternative to traditional pork bacon. While venison bacon can be enjoyed in many ways frying it to crispy perfection brings out its absolute best flavor and texture.
In this simple guide, I’ll walk you through the ins and outs of frying venison bacon so you can enjoy this mouthwatering wild game delicacy at home. Let’s get cooking!
Benefits of Frying Venison Bacon
Pan-frying is one of the easiest and most foolproof cooking methods for venison bacon Here’s why it’s so effective
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Enhances Flavor – The high heat of the pan caramelizes natural sugars and concentrates flavors.
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Adds Crispy Texture – Frying renders fat and makes the venison bacon ultra crispy.
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Quick Cooking – Just 3-5 minutes per batch gives you perfect crispy bacon.
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Easy Cleanup – Contained in a pan, bacon grease is easy to pour off and discard after cooking.
Tips for Selecting Venison Bacon
For the best frying results, look for:
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Thicker Slices – Thin bacon tends to overcook and dry out. Opt for thicker slices around 1⁄4 inch that hold up better.
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Even Slices – Uniform thickness allows even cooking. Avoid ragged, uneven slices.
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Good Marbling – Some fat marbling is important for flavor and texture during frying.
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Proper Curing – Well-cured bacon has better texture and cooks more evenly.
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Smokey Flavor – Look for bacon with a nice smokey flavor from wood-smoking.
How to Fry Venison Bacon Perfectly
Follow these simple steps for crispy, flavorful venison bacon every time.
1. Use a Cast Iron or Nonstick Skillet
The smooth surface prevents sticking and makes flipping easy. Cast iron is naturally nonstick when preheated and retains heat well.
2. Cook Over Medium to Medium-High Heat
Medium heat between 300-350°F renders fat slowly without scorching. Medium-high speeds cooking.
3. Fry in Batches
Avoid overcrowding. Fry just 2-4 slices per batch so bacon cooks evenly.
4. Place Bacon Carefully in Cold Pan
Gently lay slices in a single layer in the cold pan, then heat up the pan. This prevents sticking.
5. Flip Occasionally
Flip every 2-3 minutes for even cooking until desired crispness is reached.
6. Drain on Paper Towels
Transfer crispy bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to soak up excess grease.
7. Pour Off Excess Grease
Carefully pour out grease from the pan in between batches.
8. Cook Any Remaining Batches
Repeat process with remaining venison bacon. Adjust heat if needed.
Cooking Tips and Tricks
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Start with a cold pan then heat it up slowly to prevent sticking.
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Use metal tongs or a fork to carefully flip the bacon.
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Fry over medium heat for tender bacon or medium-high for extra crispy.
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Remove bacon just before it reaches desired crispness since it will continue crisping on paper towels.
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Blot fried bacon well before serving to remove excess grease.
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Save venison bacon drippings for cooking other foods like eggs or Brussels sprouts.
Serving Suggestions
The crispy, savory flavor of fried venison bacon complements both sweet and savory dishes.
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Breakfast sandwiches
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Burgers or BLTs
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Salads with crunchy romaine and vinaigrette
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Baked potatoes with cheese, scallions and sour cream
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Bacon jam on biscuits
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Carbonara with venison bacon instead of pancetta
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Brussels sprouts sautéed with shallots and bacon
Make Your Own Venison Bacon
Want to turn your own deer meat into venison bacon? Here are two options:
Cured Smoked Slices:
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Use belly or slab bacon cuts like pork bacon
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Cure with salt, sugar, and spices
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Cold smoke for flavor
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Slice into strips before frying
Formed Ground Bacon:
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Mix ground venison with ground pork
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Add cure mix and seasonings
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Pack mixture into a pan
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Smoke, then slice
Check out this venison bacon recipe for a step-by-step tutorial.
Enjoy the Unique Flavor of Venison Bacon
With these handy tips for frying, you can enjoy the one-of-a-kind flavor of crispy venison bacon at home. From seasoning to smoking to frying, venison bacon is a special treat worth savoring. Share it with friends and family and convert them to venison bacon lovers too!
HOW TO MAKE VENISON BACON (DEER BACON)
FAQ
How to tell when venison bacon is done?
Is deer bacon healthy?
What is venison bacon made of?
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 do you make venison Bacon?
HOW TO MAKE VENISON BACON 1. Combine curing salt, salt, powdered milk, brown sugar, liquid smoke, and seasonings in a large bowl with the cold water. Mix well. 2. Line a 9 X 13 pan with plastic wrap and press meat mixture evenly into pan to eliminate air pockets so it’s about 2-inches thick.
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.
Can you smoke venison Bacon?
Voilà, Venison Bacon: Once that venison has turned into a glorious sheet of bacony goodness, take it off the grill, let it cool down a tad, and then slice it up. And there you have it – your very own smoked venison bacon masterpiece!