Venison Meatballs are spicy, moist, and easy to bake ahead then freeze. It seems that every culture that enjoys meat has some form of meatball. You’ll find Italian, German, Greek, Swedish, and even Japanese meatballs. It’s just a matter of what sauce and seasoning you use in the ground meat. And, by using just a few tricks, you can be sure that your meatballs are perfect. By adding a bit of hot Italian sausage to the ground venison, you’ll not only increase the flavor of the baked meatball but you’ll render them amazingly moist and tender. Meatballs are a staple in our house and should be in yours too. You can use this venison meatball recipe for the main dish, hoagie sandwiches, and appetizers. Pretty versatile, don’t you think?
For this recipe, you will need ground venison, hot Italian sausage, panko crumbs, garlic cloves, eggs, Italian seasoning, chipotle chilis in adobo sauce, kosher salt.
Venison Meatballs – A Family Favorite
Before we moved to the Cave, our apartment here, we fixed the rest of our frozen garlicky meatballs for Michelle, our daughter, and family. They came down to help us move some things out of our old house. So for lunch, we decided to fix Italian hoagies. Let me say, those meatball subs were a huge hit!
So now, we were not only homeless but without meatballs in our freezer. A sad state of affairs to be sure.
Then, a few weeks ago our son Jason, the hunter, was over for lunch. Honey turned to him and said, “If you have any more ground venison left I’ll make you some venison meatballs. I need something to do.”
Jason got a big smile on his face. “If you’re bored I’ll bring over several packages and some sausage. Deer season is coming up and I have to make some room in my freezer.”
And so, Honey made the venison meatballs which we shared with the family. Now, we’re planning on making some delicious recipes out of those sausages.
Uses for Venison Meatballs
We know that whenever people think of meatballs they think of Italian meatballs in a pile of spaghetti. But did you know that in Italy they don’t serve meatballs with pasta?
Usually, the pasta comes first and the meatballs follow.
Frankly, I think think the popularity of spaghetti with meatballs started with that alley scene in Lady and the Tramp.
Here are some other ideas where you can use meatballs:
- Use them with rich brown gravy and mushrooms.
- Include them in a delicious soup.
- A sweet and sour sauce.
- Sandwich as a slider or hoagie.
- Swedish meatballs with rich gravy.
- Albondigas stew.
- Thai meatball curry.
- Greek meatballs with tzatziki.
- German meatballs with sauerkraut.
- Japanese meatballs with ginger, garlic, and scallion.
Have we convinced you how handy it is to have frozen baked meatballs on hand?
How to Make and Bake Venison Meatballs
Have you ever tasted a meatball that has the texture of golfballs? The secret to preventing a dense meatball is gently mixing the ingredients and NOT over packing the meatball. You can use a scoop to measure out the meat or you can weight them.
We use our digital scale, and let me tell you that is one handy-dandy piece of equipment. Every meatball is identical and perfect.
In order to prevent the meat from sticking to your hand, moisten them with water. Once you measure the meatball place them on a non-stick metal cooling rack placed inside a foiled lined baking tray.
You can also place the meatballs on a parchment-lined or foiled-lined baking sheet. We prefer the rack because air can circulate around the meatball.
How to Freeze Meatballs
After the meatballs are baked and cooled, you place them on a lightly oiled wax paper. Now, this may seem odd to spray wax paper but we’ve had things stick to the paper when we try to remove the frozen item.
Once the venison meatballs are frozen, place in a freezer bag and then in a freezer container. Yes! We use both a freezer bag and a freezer container because we want our delicious meatballs to stay fresh tasting when thawed.
When you’re in the mood for a meatball recipe, thaw out the amount you want to eat and make whatever recipe tickles your fancy. They are so easy to make it’s a shame not to make a large batch to keep on hand.
More game meat recipes to try
- Hearty Venison Chili
- Polpettone Italian Stuffed Meatloaf
- Grilled Antelope Tenderloin|Bacon Wrapped and Succulent
If you don’t have ground venison, just substitute ground beef or tenderloin for the meat.
We hope you give this recipe a try we know you’ll enjoy it.
Tutti a tavola è pronto!
Un caro saluto e alla prossima.
YOU MAY NEED …
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Spicy Baked Venison Meatballs: Appetizer to Main Dish
These venison meatballs are perfect. They are so tender and moist you’ll be dreaming up recipes just so you can use them. And since they freeze beautifully, there’s no reason you can’t have a good supply of them so when the mood hits, you can quickly thaw some out. I think of them as meal lifesavers! There is no limit to what you can make.
If you like this recipe, please consider giving it a 5-star rating. It helps others to decide whether to try this recipe.
Spicy Baked Venison Meatballs: Appetizer to Main Dish
Ingredients
- 3 lbs ground venison
- 1 lbs hot Italian sausage
- 18 garlic cloves
- 3 eggs jumbo size
- 3 tbsp adobo sauce
- 1 1/4 cups Panko crumbs
- 2 tbsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl. With your hands gently mix until just combined.
- Use a disher to scoop an even amount of the meat mixture or use a kitchen scale -- we made the meatballs 2 oz. each. Moisten your hands with water if the meat seems to stick.
- Place meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet or on a vegetable sprayed non-stick cooling rack placed inside the baking sheet.
- Bake in a preheated 350 F. oven for 35 to 40 minutes. The amount of time will depend on the size of your meatballs. Don't overcook.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the meatballs cool. Once cool place the meatballs on a lightly oiled sheet of wax paper. Freeze. Once frozen store in a freezer container or freezer bag. We use both to keep them fresher.
- When ready to eat, thaw out the number of meatballs you want to use and add to whatever recipe you like.
Nutrition
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Dana says
Love that you’ve added adobo sauce to these bad boys! That must make them so smokey, which would add such a nice kick to any flavor profile. These will be fab in pasta or on a meatball sub of some sort. OR. Of course. On their own 😉
Daniela says
I love spicy food, so these meatballs are right up my alley. I love that they are so easy to make and can be used in a variety of dishes. Great recipe!
Trish Bozeman says
These look great! That adobo sauce is absolute perfection. Great for an awesome appetizer or with a plate of pasta.
Debra says
Great tips on freezing. Thank you. I always make a double batch and have had problems with freezer burn and sticking in the past. Glad to know my kids are not the only ones who just like the meatballs and sauce, without the pasta!
Jenni LeBaron says
I’ve never worked with venison before but these baked meatballs sound absolutely delicious. I love that you’ve added a bit of adobo for a spicy kick. I also love that these would work equally well for an appetizer and a main course with pasta or rice.
Donna says
I had to laugh that you were as sad about being homeless as you were about no meatballs in the freezer….you sound just like me 🙂 These are just perfect, and a great little addition to any freezer, especially for a busy day!
Sandra Shaffer says
Great tip to use a digital scale. Each meatball is perfection and looks like it was whipped up by a professional chef! Made larger ones for a main meal and smaller ones to enjoy as appetizers. Yes, they freeze beautifully. Thank you!
Pam Greer says
I’m going to pass this recipe on to my daughter because she has a freezer full of venison! She’ll love that they are baked!
Gloria says
Nothing beats a GREAT homemade meatball. These look perfect as an appetizer, on pasta or stuffed in a sub. I like trying meatballs made with different proteins. I have not tried venison yet, but I can imagine they would be super juicy and delicious.
Cheese Curd In Paradise says
I adore meatballs, and venison is popular in my area. I can’t wait to give these a try!
Claudia Lamascolo says
I have some venison steaks in the freezer someone just gave me. I wonder if I can grind the meat to make these with. My husband loves fried cutlet steaks so making meatballs fried he would go nuts over. Not sure if it will work but I am going to try this!
Emily Leary says
Meatballs are a classic favourite in our house. Great idea to use venison. They look really well cooked.
Tina says
Wow! I love meatballs, and this recipe using venison should be a big hit in our house this deer season! I’m always looking for new and creative ways to use up our harvest. Thanks for the great recipe!
Jacque Hastert says
I will be making these next Sunday as an appetizer for game day!
Sri Mallya says
I am drooling. Pasta and meatballs is such a great combo. Can’t wait to try your recipe. Yummy!
Les says
We don’t do venison in our house, but I have a lot of friends up in Vermont that do – they’re going to love this when I send it to them!
Marisa Franca says
Thank you, Les, for sharing. We appreciate it.
Nicolas Hortense says
Wow my stomach is rumbling looking at these meatballs. I love your idea of having them as Sweedish meatballs! (:
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Nick! Yes, they are so versatile. We love them.
Lorie says
My one year old’s favorite food? Meatballs! Making these but will make half spicy and half mild for him. Thanks!
prasanna hede says
That’s a wonderful post with great tips.I need to have meatballs with pasta now!
Veronika's Kitchen says
I love meatballs and always on a hunt for a new recipe) Yours look delicious and super easy to make! Definitely will try them!)
Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life says
What a fun take on the classic meatball! We have a couple of friends who are avid hunters so we’ll definitely be passing this recipe along to them.
Kelly Anthony says
My husband is a hunter, and he always cooks the venison! He would be over the moon if I slammed out these meatballs! They look perfect!!
Elaine Benoit says
Venison is one of those meats that when I eat it, I think, why don’t I eat more of this! I’ve never had it in meatball form but I certainly will now! This looks delicious and easy!!
Dawn says
You can never go wrong with a meatball…especially when paired with pasta. I love how you could freeze these. Definitely convenient for busy weekday dinners! YUM!
Donna says
Great tips on freezing the meatballs, I always make a huge batch because my kids love them, but I am definitely making more next time and freezing them so we have some on hand!
Dana says
I think I’ve only had venison once. Whenever people talk about it, they never really mention *how* they’ve had it, so I guess I never realized just how versatile it is. These look great, though! You can’t beat a tender meatball 🙂
Amanda says
I’ve never made meatballs with venison, and now I want to have them for dinner! I love that you’ve paired the venison with hot sausage. These meatballs must be so full of flavor! I also love your suggestions for serving meatballs other than “spaghetti and meatballs”. We enjoy them in soup too!
Stef says
I want meatballs in my freezer! Your line about not having them there anymore cracked me up. We pretty much never have meatballs in our freezer. I get sad when we no longer have waffles in the freezer. Now, I want to make your meatballs and maybe eat them on my waffles. 🙂
Sarah says
I love how many ways you cook with deer meat! That’s such a good use of game meat. AND I love how versatile meatballs are– DELICIOUS!
Tracy Koslicki says
Wow! What a great way to answer the “if you’re bored…” ha! I love me some venison but have never made meatballs out of them. Now I know that’s a mistake! These sound absolutely incredible!!
Carmy says
I just made meatballs last week and totally agree with your tips on not over mixing and packing them! We also used a scoop to portion it and a very gentle hand to round them out. I haven’t had version meatballs yet but I’m looking forward to trying a new meat for meatballs!
Amanda says
I never tried venison meatballs before, but I have an avid hunter friend that I know would love to try these meatballs asap, so I think I will have to make them for him!
Tina says
I really like game meat. Adding the hot Italian sausage is genius. I usually add olive oil but I like the extra richness your technique would add. I really like meatball hoagies and I like meatballs with mashed potatoes. Yum! Thanks for this.
Ciao Chow Linda says
Your meatballs look positively scrumptious. They remind me of the time I hit a deer with my car (er, rather the deer hit me). Long story short, we had a lot of venison that winter. Unfortunately, my supply of venison has dried up but if I find myself with some, I will make your recipe!
Jenni LeBaron says
These sound really tasty. I love them in both pasta and as an appetizer. The fella lives them in a sandwich roll best! The adobo sauce is a fun addition to give these a good kick.
swathi says
I like that you used abodo sauce along Italian sausage and venison to make this delicious meat balls. Spaghetti dinner is good. I think we can make meat ball soup too.
Tammy says
What a delicious meal, Marisa! I’ve never had venison meatballs but I have no doubts they are as good as they look ;D
Mahy Elamin says
Wow, these meatballs look very tasty! This is a great idea for dinner. Ohhh I can’t WAIT to try this! Thank you for this great recipe! So YUMMY!
Natalie says
These meatballs look absolutely amazing. So flavorful and super delicious. This is something that my kiddo would love very much. I’m saving this to make to my family.
Jyothi (Jo) says
You had me at spicy Marisa. This one reminded of my post from few days back. I posted chicken meatballs over spaghetti and we loved it. this one looks so hearty and comforting! I bet this would be lovely for a weekend treat
Veena Azmanov says
I envy you with all the version deliciousness around you. We love meatballs but have never tasted venison yet. This sounds so flavorful. And I love that this is baked.
Gloria says
I love meatballs as an appetizter. These look delicous. I have never had venison meatballs before. These would be great on some pasta or stuffed in a sub too. So many wonderful ways to enjoy delicious meatballs. Perfect to feed a crowd…and for freezing too.
Claudia Lamascolo says
My husband is 100% Sicilian and doesnt eat pasta do you believe it? but he loves meatballs and hunts every year in his hometown. Going in November and hoping to get a deer. He will love this when I make them thanks! I never thought about making this before!
Jovina Coughlin says
Great tips on making meatballs.