Venison Street Tacos

Taqueria-Style Tacos from Your Deer Harvest

Ground venison makes incredible street tacos – lean, flavorful, and perfect for feeding a hungry family after a successful hunt. This recipe brings authentic taqueria flavors to your wild game.

Why Ground Venison Works

The bold spices in taco seasoning complement venisons natural flavor perfectly. Adding a little fat during cooking keeps the lean meat juicy and delicious.

Ingredients

For the Taco Meat:

• 2 lbs ground venison
• 4 slices bacon, diced (or 3 tbsp lard)
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/2 cup beef broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

To Serve:

• 24 small corn tortillas
• 1 white onion, finely diced
• 1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
• 3 limes, cut into wedges
• Salsa verde
• Salsa roja
• Pickled jalapeños

Instructions

1. Render the fat: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook diced bacon until crispy. Remove bacon bits and set aside, leaving the fat in the pan.
2. Cook aromatics: Add diced onion to the bacon fat. Cook until softened and slightly caramelized, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
3. Brown the venison: Increase heat to medium-high. Add ground venison, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned, about 8 minutes.
4. Season: Add all spices and stir to coat the meat evenly. Toast the spices for 1-2 minutes.
5. Add liquid: Pour in beef broth and stir. Reduce heat and simmer until liquid is mostly absorbed, about 5 minutes. Return bacon bits to the pan.
6. Warm tortillas: Heat tortillas directly over a gas flame or in a dry skillet until slightly charred and pliable. Keep warm in a clean kitchen towel.
7. Assemble: Double up tortillas, add a generous scoop of meat, top with fresh onion and cilantro. Squeeze lime over the top and add your preferred salsa.

Pro Tips

• Double tortillas: Street-style tacos always use two tortillas – they hold up better and catch all the juices.
• Char your tortillas: That slight char adds authentic flavor and texture.
• Fresh toppings only: Skip the shredded cheese and sour cream for authentic street taco style.

Variations

• Tacos de Lengua Style: Slow cook a venison roast until shreddable for an alternative preparation.
• Breakfast Tacos: Add scrambled eggs and this venison mixture with some shredded cheese for a Texas breakfast classic.

Processing Tip

When processing your deer at Ruiz Custom Meats, we recommend getting at least 5-10 pounds of ground venison. It is the most versatile cut for everyday cooking – tacos, chili, burgers, meatballs, and more.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 20 minutes | Serves: 6-8 (makes about 24 tacos)