The Absolute Best Frito Pie Recipe
This Frito Pie Recipe is a delicious casserole with a hearty venison filling topped with heaps of cheese, and Fritos corn chips!Looking for a hearty and delicious dinner that's easy to make and perfect for feeding a crowd…or a hungry 7-year-old like mine? This frito pie recipe starts with shredded venison shank meat, then topped with heaps of cheese and…you guessed it…FRITOS! Then add your favorite taco toppings like sour cream, cilantro, and onions.I love this easy frito pie recipe because you can make it at home with just a few simple ingredients. Swap out your typical Taco Tuesday night and enjoy this crisp and crunchy frito casserole the whole family will love! Not only is it delicious and satisfying, but it's also a fun and creative way to enjoy some of your favorite comfort foods in one tasty dish. So why wait? Grab a bag of Fritos and get ready to whip up a meal that's sure to satisfy even the heartiest of appetites!You can make this recipe in one large 10-inch cast iron skillet or serve everyone their own in smaller 6-inch skillets.VENISON SHANKSShanks just don't get the respect they deserve. The vast majority of people trim off the shank meat and throw it in the grind pile, but there are lots of great venison recipes using shanks. The shank is basically the section of leg from the ankle to the knee. As a weight-bearing and heavily used muscle group, the shank is inherently tough and stringy. Deer shanks are often deboned and ground and even left in the woods by some hunters. But similar to beef and lamb shanks, those from big game animals such as deer, elk, and antelope are incredibly tender and delicious when cooked properly. Slow and low cooking methods help tenderize the meat and soften the connective tissue, while the bones, cartilage, and marrow provide flavor and natural juices. Slow braises and slow cooker venison recipes with plenty of moisture can transform those tough sections of the leg into a tender, heavenly family meal.MORE VENISON RECIPESIf you are looking for another fun idea for your deer shanks, check out my Venison Shank BBQ Sandwiches with Pimento Cheese, or if you are a fan of Indian food like my wife, check out her favorite Venison Shank Tikka Masala.If you would like to come to North Dakota and experience a great deer hunt, 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. If you make this frito pie recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #wildgameandfishDid you enjoy this Frito Pie Recipe? Be sure to leave a 5-star rating RIGHT HERE!
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
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 bag Fritos corn chips (About 5 cups)
- 2 cups Mexican cheese blend, shredded
- sour cream, for serving
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/4 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 1/2 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.
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