Deer Meat and Gravy Over Mashed Potatoes is quick, easy, and affordable and one of our favorite ground deer meat recipes of all time. We love eating this simple but deliciously filling meal in our house.
There’s something magical about a home-cooked meal waiting for you after a long day. And if you ask our 9-year-old daughter, nothing beats a warm plate of mashed potatoes smothered in rich, savory deer meat gravy. After an intense evening at gymnastics, she practically floated into the kitchen, announcing that she was "starving" like she had just run a marathon. As soon as she took her first bite, her eyes lit up, and between mouthfuls, she declared it the "best dinner ever!"
Moments like these are why I love cooking with wild game. Deer meat is lean, packed with flavor, and has a way of turning a simple meal into something truly special. And when paired with buttery mashed potatoes and a rich, flavorful deer meat gravy, it transforms into the ultimate comfort food.
This Ground Deer Meat and Gravy Over Mashed Potatoes recipe is one of my go-to dishes, especially on busy weeknights. It’s hearty, nutritious, and best of all, incredibly easy to make. Whether you just got home from work, chauffeured the kids to activities, or simply need a meal that warms the soul, this one delivers. Plus, it’s a great way to introduce a deer meat recipe to kids who might be a little hesitant to try wild game. Trust me, once they get a taste of this rich, meaty deer gravy over a bed of creamy potatoes, they’ll be hooked.
Why You'll Love This Ground Deer Meat Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This meal comes together in about 40 minutes, making it perfect for weeknights when time is tight.
- Nutritious and Filling: Ground deer meat recipes are high in protein and iron, making this a meal that satisfies and fuels the family.
- Kid-Approved: If our daughter could have this for dinner every night, she would. The smooth mashed potatoes and flavorful deer meat gravy make it an instant favorite.
- Great Use of Ground Venison: If you have a freezer full of ground deer meat, this is a fantastic way to put it to good use.
Healthy Ground Venison vs. Ground Beef
Ground venison isn’t just delicious - it’s a powerhouse of nutrition that puts beef to shame! If you’re looking for a lean, high-protein option, venison is the way to go. With 80% less fat than beef and fewer calories than skinless chicken, it’s a game-changer for anyone who wants to eat healthier without sacrificing flavor. A 3.5-ounce serving of cooked venison delivers a whopping 28 grams of protein, beating out chicken’s 25 grams, while only packing 1.8 grams of fat - far lower than beef’s 13.2 grams or chicken’s 5.2 grams. That means you get all the muscle-building benefits of protein without the extra fat weighing you down.
Venison is also naturally rich in iron and essential B vitamins, supporting energy levels and overall wellness. Whether you’re making burgers, or chili, or spaghetti, swapping beef for venison is an easy, flavorful way to fuel your body right.
Ingredients You'll Need
Mashed Potatoes
- 2 pounds Yukon Gold, Russet, or Red potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Ground Deer Meat and Gravy
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 cups venison or beef broth, divided
- 1 pound ground deer meat
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions For Great Mashed Potatoes
- Cook the Potatoes: Place the peeled and chopped potatoes in a 4-quart saucepan. Cover with water and add 1 teaspoon of kosher salt. Bring to a low boil over high heat, then reduce heat and simmer until the potatoes are very tender, about 15 minutes.
- Sauté Spinach and Garlic: While the potatoes cook, melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and spinach, tossing until the spinach is just wilted, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare Butter and Cream Mixture: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter and heavy whipping cream. Microwave in 30-second increments, whisking between each, until the butter is completely melted.
- Mash the Potatoes: Once the potatoes are tender, drain them thoroughly and return them to the saucepan. Use a potato masher to achieve your desired consistency.
- Combine Ingredients: Fold in the melted butter and cream mixture, the sautéed spinach and garlic, the remaining ½ teaspoon of kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Stir until well incorporated and smooth, being careful not to overmix to avoid gummy potatoes.
Instructions For Ground Deer Meat And Gravy
- Prepare Cornstarch Slurry: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and ¼ cup of the venison or beef broth until smooth. Set aside.
- Cook the Deer Meat: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the ground deer meat. Cook, breaking it apart, until no longer pink.
- Add Onions: Stir in the diced onion and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Incorporate Broth and Seasonings: Pour in the remaining 1 ½ cups of broth, then add kosher salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and garlic powder. Stir to combine and let the mixture simmer uncovered for 5 minutes.
- Thicken the Gravy: Slowly pour in the cornstarch slurry, stirring continuously until the gravy thickens, about 2 minutes.
How To Serve Deer Meat And Mashed Potatoes
Spoon the creamy mashed potatoes onto plates, then generously top them with the savory ground deer meat and rich gravy. Serve immediately and enjoy every comforting bite!
Make-Ahead Tip
For added convenience, you can prepare the mashed potatoes up to 2 hours in advance. Cover and store them at room temperature. If you need to make them further ahead, chill them covered for up to 8 hours. When ready to serve, reheat over medium heat, adding a bit of reserved heavy cream and melted butter to restore their creamy texture.
Variations
- Alternative Proteins: If you don't have ground deer meat, elk, moose, antelope, duck, goose, or even ground beef are excellent substitutes.
- Vegetable Add-Ins: Our daughter loves it when I add peas to the gravy as well. You could also incorporate a vegetable medley (carrots & peas) or mushrooms into the gravy for added nutrition and flavor. Sauté them along with the onions until tender.
More Ground Deer Meat Recipes
I hope this Ground Deer Meat and Gravy Over Mashed Potatoes Recipe becomes a new favorite for you. If you are looking for more kid-friendly dinner inspiration, check out more of our family favorites you can pull off on a busy weeknight:
Come Deer Hunting in North Dakota
If you are headed our way for North Dakota deer season, check out the North Dakota Game & Fish Department website. And if you want me to come along with you as your camp cook, photographer, or butcher, you can find out more details here.
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DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE
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Ground Deer Meat and Gravy Over Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients
Mashed Potatoes
- 2 pounds Yukon Gold, Russet, or Red potatoes, peeled, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- 4 Tablespoons butter, divided
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Ground Deer Meat and Gravy
- 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 cups venison or beef broth, divided
- 1 pound ground deer meat
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
Mashed Potatoes
- Cover potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt with water in a 4-quart saucepan. Bring to a low boil on the stovetop over high heat, then reduce heat and simmer (do not boil) until potatoes are very tender when pierced with the tip of a paring knife or fork but not falling apart, about 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, melt 1 Tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and spinach, tossing and letting spinach cook down until just wilted, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Now add remaining 3 Tablespoons of the butter and heavy whipping cream to microwave-safe bowl. Microwave ingredients in 30-second increments, whisking between each, until butter is completely melted.
- When potatoes are fork-tender, carefully drain all liquid from the saucepan. Return saucepan to stovetop to rest on unused burner. Use potato masher to mash potatoes to desired consistency.
- Fold in melted butter and cream mixture along with the cooked spinach and garlic and remaining ½ teaspoon of kosher salt and black pepper and stir with a spoon until incorporated and very smooth (do not overmix or potatoes will become gummy). Taste and adjust seasonings, then set mashed potatoes aside until ready to serve.
Ground Deer Meat and Gravy
- Add cornstarch and ¼ cup venison or beef broth to small bowl. Whisk ingredients together until smooth. Set aside.
- Heat large skillet over medium-high heat. When skillet is hot, add ground deer meat. Cook and crumble meat until no longer pink, then add the diced onion, stir well, and cook another 2 minutes.
- Add remaining 1 ½ cups venison or beef broth, kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder to skillet with ground deer meat. Stir gently to mix, then simmer uncovered for 5 minutes.
- Slowly add cornstarch mixture to skillet, stirring gently until fully incorporated. Stir constantly until liquid has thickened to form gravy, about 2 minutes.
To Serve Ground Deer Meat And Gravy Over Mashed Potatoes
- Divide mashed potatoes evenly between dinner plates or bowls. Top bed of mashed potatoes with deer meat and gravy. Serve immediately.
Kathy says
Our granddaughter loved this! Thanks
Jeff Benda says
Thanks Kathy! So happy to hear your granddaughter loves this recipe as much as our daughter does.
Frank says
My kids devoured this and loved it. They already asked me to make it again. Great recipe!
Jeff Benda says
Thanks Frank! We love to hear when other kids love this recipe as much as our daughter does.