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Easy Venison Sloppy Joes Recipe

Skip the canned options, and make this easy venison sloppy joes recipe with lower sugar, homemade sauce for a sweet, savory comfort food meal!

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 15 mins
Total Time
1 hr 45 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 373 kcal
Course: Main Course , Lunch
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Meat and Veggies:
  • 1 lb ground venison (or elk, antelope, moose, etc.)
  • 2 tablespoon lard, oil, or butter
  • 1 tablespoon ancho chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 onion, finely diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce:
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 3 tablespoon mustard (any type but I use dijon)
  • 3 tablespoon tomato paste
  • ½ teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
  • 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 3 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 
  • ½ teaspoon liquid smoke
Other Ingredients:
  • 6 hamburger buns
  • sliced red onion, for serving (optional)
  • pickle slices, for serving (optional)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Heat lard in large skillet or dutch oven over medium heat. Add ground meat and cook until meat starts to brown, about 2 minutes. Add in chili powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper and stir until meat is well-coated. Add in diced onions, diced pepper, and garlic. Cook until meat is fully browned and vegetables are softened, 5-7 minutes.
  2. While meat is cooking, add ketchup, mustard, tomato paste, hot sauce, vinegar, worcestershire, and liquid smoke to pint jar. Place lid tightly on jar and shake until well-combined. Add sauce to pan and stir until combined.
  3. Bring mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to very low. Mostly cover pot with lid, allowing for a small vent hole. Cook for 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally. Add in water a couple tablespoons at a time if mixture starts to dry out.
  4. Toast hamburger buns. Serve warm sloppy joe sauce on buns with sliced red onion and pickle slices, if desired.
To Freeze:
    Cup of Yum
  1. Make a double (or more) batch of the recipe. Cool the sauce and add half to a quart-size zippered bag. Freeze flat on a sheet pan. Thaw under refrigeration and reheat on the stove or in the microwave when ready to use.

Notes

  • Ancho chili powder, smoked paprika, and liquid smoke are what give these sloppy joes their signature smoky taste. If you're not into that flavor, omit the liquid smoke, and use regular paprika and chili powder.
  • This recipe uses a very small amount of hot sauce. You can omit it, or add extra if you want to spice things up!
  • Pickle slices and sliced red onion add some texture to these sloppy joes with venison. However, it's great without toppings or with whatever you prefer!
  • Brioche buns have a lot more flavor than typical hamburger buns. They're great for Venison Mushroom Swiss Burgers, Beer-Battered Halibut Sandwiches, and more!
  • If your sauce starts to dry out, add in some water a couple of tablespoons at a time to bring the moisture level back up.

Nutrition Information

Calories 373kcal (19%) Carbohydrates 43g (14%) Protein 23g (46%) Fat 12g (18%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 4g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 65mg (22%) Sodium 1002mg (42%) Potassium 757mg (22%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 16g (32%) Vitamin A 1943IU (39%) Vitamin C 34mg (38%) Calcium 130mg (13%) Iron 5mg (28%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 373

% Daily Value*

Calories 373kcal 19%
Carbohydrates 43g 14%
Protein 23g 46%
Fat 12g 18%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 4g 20%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 65mg 22%
Sodium 1002mg 42%
Potassium 757mg 16%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 16g 32%
Vitamin A 1943IU 39%
Vitamin C 34mg 38%
Calcium 130mg 13%
Iron 5mg 28%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.