This Frito Pie Recipe is a delicious casserole with a hearty meat filling topped with heaps of cheese, and Fritos corn chips.
Frito Pie is the ultimate comfort food for a busy family like ours. It’s simple to prepare, satisfying, and is a huge favorite at our dinner table. My easy Frito Pie recipe takes a wild game twist by using tender, slow-cooked venison shank meat. It's a perfect way to showcase wild game in a familiar and family-friendly dish.
Whether you're looking for recipes using Fritos or just want a new way to enjoy some of that venison in your freezer, this Frito pie recipe is guaranteed to deliver.
Frito Pie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 whole deer shank (from one leg)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 Tablespoons canola oil, divided
- 5 cups venison or beef broth
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 bag Fritos corn chips (about 5 cups)
- 2 cups Mexican cheese blend, shredded
- Sour cream, for serving
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- ¼ cup red onion, diced
Instructions
1. Prepare the Venison Shank:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Season the deer shank with salt and black pepper.
Heat 2 Tablespoons of canola oil in a 6-quart Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the shank and fry it for about 5 minutes until golden brown on all sides.
2. Slow Cook the Shank:
Pour in the venison or beef broth. Add garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, oregano, and chili powder. Cover the Dutch oven with a lid or tightly with foil.
Place it in the oven and let it cook undisturbed for 3 to 3 ½ hours. The meat should be tender and falling off the bone when it’s ready.
3. Shred the Meat:
Remove the Dutch oven from the oven and take off the lid. Use tongs or forks to shred the meat off the bone. Discard the bone, tendons, and any unwanted fat.
4. Assemble the Frito Pie:
Grease a cast iron skillet with the remaining 2 Tablespoons of canola oil. You can either pile all the ingredients into that one large skillet, or make individual portions by dividing them in smaller skillets like this one.
Spread 4 cups of Fritos over the bottom of the skillet. Sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded cheese.
Top the Fritos with the cooked and shredded venison shank meat. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the meat layer.
5. Bake and Garnish:
Bake the assembled Frito Pie in the oven for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Top with the remaining Fritos and your choice of toppings, such as sour cream, chopped cilantro, and diced red onion.
Tips For The Best Frito Pie
- Use the Right Meat: A deer shank works beautifully because the slow cooking makes the meat fall-apart tender. If venison isn’t available, a beef shank or lamb shank works as a substitute.
- Customize Toppings: Let everyone at the table add their favorite toppings. Popular choices in our house include jalapeños, black olives, salsa, or even guacamole.
- Spice it Up: If you are a lover of Chili Cheese Fritos like my wife, you can substitute those for regular Fritos.
- Prep Ahead: You can cook the shank and shred the meat a day in advance. Store it in the fridge and assemble the Frito Pie when ready to bake.
Why Frito Pie Is The Perfect Family Meal
This recipe is ideal for busy parents like us. The slow-cooked shank can simmer in the oven while you tackle your day, and assembling the Frito pie takes just minutes. Plus, the familiar flavors of Fritos and cheese make it a comforting dish both my 9-year-old daughter and wife both love.
A Crowd Pleasing Favorite
Frito Pie has long been a staple for casual gatherings and family dinners. But it's also a great option when you need to bring something to a potluck or football party.
If you’ve been searching for an easy Frito Pie recipe or want creative ways to share wild game with co-workers and friends, this casserole is the answer. With tender venison shank meat, crispy Fritos, and gooey cheese, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Tested And Approved Kid-Friendly Recipes
Check out all of our kid-friendly recipes that have all been tested and approved by my wife and 9-year-old daughter. You can trust your family will love them too. They'll have everyone leaving the dinner table happy and with full bellies.
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DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE
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The Absolute Best Frito Pie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 whole deer shank (from one leg)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 Tablespoons canola oil, divided
- 5 cups venison or beef broth
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 bag Fritos corn chips (About 5 cups)
- 2 cups Mexican cheese blend, shredded
- sour cream, for serving
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- ¼ cup red onion, diced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Season shank with salt & black pepper.
- Heat 2 Tablespoons of the canola oil in a 6-quart Dutch oven on stovetop burner over medium-high heat. Add shank and fry for about 5 minutes until golden brown all over.
- Add venison or beef broth and remaining seasonings. Cover with lid or tightly with foil, then place in the oven at 350 degrees F, undisturbed, for 3 to 3 ½ hours. The meat should be falling off the bone at this point.
- Take Dutch oven out, remove lid, and use tongs or forks to shred meat off of the shank bone. Discard the bone and any undesirable tendons or fat.
- Grease a large cast iron skillet with remaining 2 Tablespoons of canola oil.
- Add 4 cups of Frito chips to the bottom of the skillet. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the cheese.
- Spread venison shank meat mixture over the top and top with remaining cheese.
- Bake about 15 minutes or until cheese is melted.
- Top with remaining chips and desired toppings like sour cream, cilantro, and red onion.
