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4.9 from 21 votes

Venison Tartare

First off, be sure to read the top of this post for safety reasons. Second, know that any species of venison will work, as will any cut of meat that is free of fat and sinew. Backstrap is best, I find, but I also really like using the heart. Non-hunters, use lamb loin for the closest in flavor. I use some esoteric ingredients here, but there are easy substitutions for most of them... but not all. You really do need juniper berries, which you can find in many supermarkets or you can buy them online. The other key ingredient here is smoked salt. Any fine-ground smoked salt will work.

Prep Time
20 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 58 kcal
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Scandinavian

Ingredients

  • 1 shallot, about 1 heaping tablespoon, minced
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 heaping teaspoon juniper berries, about 8
  • 1 level teaspoon caraway seeds
  • 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
  • 1/2 to 3/4 pound venison
  • Smoked salt to taste
  • 4 egg yolks
  • Wood sorrel or grated lemon zest, for garnish

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Soak the minced shallot in the vinegar in a small bowl. Toast the juniper berries, caraway seeds and peppercorns in a small pan over medium-high heat (shaking often to prevent them from burning) until they are fragrant, about 2 minutes. Move the spices to a grinder or mortar and pestle and grind to a coarse powder.
  2. Mince the venison with a sharp knife. I prefer to cut it into 1/8 inch dice; it helps if the meat is partially frozen first. Put the minced venison in a bowl and sprinkle over the ground spices. Drain the shallots and add them to the bowl. Add about 1/2 teaspoon of smoked salt and mix the tartare together. Add more salt to taste.
  3. To serve, give everyone some tartare and make a little depression in the center. Separate the egg yolks from the white and discard the whites (or use in another recipe). Put the yolks in the little depression. Garnish with the wood sorrel or lemon zest.

Notes

  • Serve this on crackers or in little bowls with crackers alongside. Remember, a little tartare goes a long way.

Nutrition Information

Calories 58kcal (3%) Carbohydrates 2g (1%) Protein 5g (10%) Fat 3g (5%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Cholesterol 137mg (46%) Sodium 12mg (1%) Potassium 71mg (2%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 173IU (3%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 19mg (2%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 58

% Daily Value*

Calories 58kcal 3%
Carbohydrates 2g 1%
Protein 5g 10%
Fat 3g 5%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 137mg 46%
Sodium 12mg 1%
Potassium 71mg 2%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 173IU 3%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 19mg 2%
Iron 1mg 6%

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