Our signature recipe for a juicy rack of venison is incredibly tasty and deceptively simple to prepare, with an herb crust that will dazzle your taste buds and delight your guests.
Cut from the saddle, a venison rack is red deer meat, often cut as bone-in venison chops for a beautiful presentation. Two common misconceptions about venison are that it’s hard to find and that it’s tough or gamey meat. Neither are true. While venison is traditionally wild game, you’ll be able to find a gorgeous cut of juicy venison at some online butcher shops and markets.
And, while the fatty bits may have a slightly wild taste, the body of the meat is rich, earthy, and smooth. My herb-crusted roast rack of venison accentuates the deeper flavors of the meat with a coating of mouth-watering herbs sealed on by a mustard rub.
Why You’ll Love Herb Crusted Roasted Venison Rack
Perfect for the snowy season, Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, or for an outdoor dinner on a balmy summer night, this herb-crusted roast venison rack is a step away from the ordinary that will satisfy your palate. Pair it with potatoes, veggies, or risotto for a remarkably easy five-star meal in the comfort of your home.
What we love most about this recipe is that it turns even the biggest skeptic into a fan of deer meat. It’s simple and looks absolutely beautiful when served.
Ingredients:
Cooking venison using this recipe is so simple, you’ll feel like a five-star chef even if it’s your first time. For this easy venison recipe, you’ll want a frenched venison rib rack, meaning a cut where the bones have been cleaned on one end so that they form what many people colloquially describe as “handles.”
While you can likely find a decent cut at a local market in your area, my favorite suppliers of the most prized venison cuts are a few online meat vendors like Wild Fork Foods or Fossil Farms. This recipe is surprisingly straightforward for such a decadent venison roast, with a fresh herb crust that will bring out a great taste to the red meat.
For the venison rib rack
- Rack of Venison – 8 bones, Frenched. Not sure where to buy venison? Check out our list of the best online meat delivery services for where we order meat online.
- Mustard – go for a smooth Dijon
- Salt – we always use kosher salt
For the herb crust:
- Steak seasoning
- Rosemary, freshly minced
- Thyme, freshly minced
- Canola Oil
To Serve:
- Finely Minced Parsley, rosemary, and thyme
- Freshly ground black pepper
How to Make Roasted Rack of Venison
Start by preheating the oven to 400 degrees F
Then, prep the venison:
Pat the rack of venison dry using a clean cloth or paper towel. If needed, remove the silverskin and trim the roast. Simply slide a knife under the silverskin and press up. Using a paper towel, pull back and the entire silverskin should come off in one slow and steady pull. But sometimes it takes a few attempts to remove it all. We recommend this flexible filet knife when trimming meat.
Coat the meat with mustard, making sure to get an even coverage. Liberally season the venison rib rack with kosher salt.
In a small bowl, combine the steak seasoning, rosemary and thyme.
Press the seasoning mixture onto the meat, coating all sides and the edges.
Next, sear the meat:
Preheat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add canola oil until you see a hint of smoke.
Carefully place the rack of venison into the hot pan and sear on all sides, using long tongs to rotate the roast. Sear the meat for about 5 to 7 minutes total.
Finish the venison in the oven:
Place the skillet in the oven and roast for 25 to 30 more minutes. Ensure that the roast has reached an internal temperature of 135 degrees F with a digital meat thermometer.
Finally, Rest and Serve:
Remove the rib rack from the oven and allow it to rest for 10 minutes.
To serve, slice the rack of venison along the bones to create individual portions.
Garnish with the freshly minced herb mixture and black pepper.
How to Serve this Rack of Venison
After resting and garnishing, your herb-crusted roasted rack of venison is ready to serve immediately!
But while this venison rack makes an excellent main, you’ll likely want a sauce to complete it and some sides to balance out the meal. Luckily, I’ve got just the stuff for the perfect pairings.
I recommend my signature Red Wine Pan Sauce, which should be poured liberally over the plated venison rack for the best-tasting result. When it comes to sides, you can go more traditional with my Smoked Baked Potatoes or Homestyle Mashed Potatoes, but why not treat yourself? Serving venison rack is a high-quality affair, making it a perfect excuse to try my Umami Smoked Mushrooms or Roasted Vegetable Risotto. And, for all you keto folks, give my Steakhouse Keto Creamed Spinach a whirl!
Pair this with a beautiful pinot noir or dry cab.
Storage
Cooked venison should be stored in an airtight food storage container and placed directly in the refrigerator, where it will keep safely for 3 to 4 days.
Reheating Leftovers
When reheating a cooked venison rack, you’ll want to avoid making it taste gamey. The best way to do so with the least fuss is by reheating it in the oven.
To begin, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Let the venison sit at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes (this allows it to breathe a bit), then place your venison rib rack on a tray lined with tin foil and cook it for 30 to 40 minutes, ensuring it reaches an internal temperature of at least 135 degrees F. Let the venison rest 5 to 10 minutes before reserving.