Venison Sloppy Joes Recipe

These homemade Venison Sloppy Joes are incredibly easy to make and come together in one skillet in less than 30 minutes. It's a perfect ground venison recipe when you need an simple weeknight dinner for you and the kids.

There's nothing better than a warm homemade sandwich, from a Hot Italian to a Patty Melt. This Homemade Sloppy Joe Recipe is at the top of our list for ground venison recipes, especially when it's served with Lay's Classic Potato Chips!

This delicious ground venison recipe is such a simple recipe and a terrific budget-friendly family dinner. The tender and juicy ground venison is sauteed with green peppers and onion then cooked in a hearty tomato sauce that includes simple staples like ketchup and mustard. If you have some deer burger or elk burger in your freezer and need an easy meal idea, this is one you should definitely try.

Why You'll Love Deer Sloppy Joes

This old fashioned Sloppy Joes recipe comes together in just 30 minutes for a quick and easy dinner — even on your busiest nights when shuttling kids around.

Venison is an excellent substitute for ground beef in recipes like sloppy joes. It’s leaner, richer in flavor, and offers a healthier alternative without sacrificing taste. As a hunter, using your ground deer meat to make deer sloppy joes gives us yet another excuse to tell the story of our successful deer hunt while we sit around the dinner table. Even if you’re new to cooking with venison, this ground deer meat recipe is approachable, foolproof, and perfect for showcasing the natural flavors of the meat.

There's nothing wrong with store-bought Manwich Sloppy Joe Sauce but these homemade Sloppy Joes taste much better — and almost as easy as opening up a can! This old-fashioned sloppy joe recipe is a classic American comfort food that has been loved for generations. And it continues to be loved by our very own 10-year-old daughter.

Loose Meat Sandwiches

Marilyn Brown, the Director of the Consumer Test Kitchen at H.J. Heinz, suggests that Sloppy Joes originated with the “loose meat sandwiches” sold in Sioux City, Iowa in the 1930s. The sandwiches were created by a cook named Joe, which could explain today’s term for the simple recipe, Sloppy Joes. The sandwiches consist of a combination of ground beef (or ground venison) in a tomato-based sauce, piled high on hamburger buns. What’s not to love about that?!

Ingredients

This is just a quick overview of the ingredients that you’ll need for this homemade sloppy joe recipe. As always, specific measurements and step-by-step instructions are included in the printable recipe box at the bottom of this post.

• Lean ground venison: you can sub with ground turkey, ground duck or goose breast, or ground beef if you prefer
• Onion and bell pepper and garlic: for savory flavor.
• Worcestershire: adds salty, umami flavor.
• Brown sugar: for just the right amount of sweetness.
• Ketchup: the base of the sauce, this adds flavor and sweetness
• Yellow Mustard: adds a bit of subtle tang.
• Ground cumin and black pepper: to enhance the other flavors in the recipe.

How To Make Venison Sloppy Joes

Not only is this homemade sloppy joe recipe quick to prepare, but you probably already have all of the ingredients that you need. Skip a trip to the grocery store and get supper on the table in just 30 minutes — perfect for busy weeknights! You’ll find detailed directions in the recipe card below, but here’s the quick version:

1. Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground venison and brown, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks, about 5 minutes.

2. Add the onion and bell pepper to the same skillet and cook for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.

3. Stir in the brown sugar, tomato paste, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, cumin, and black pepper. Mix well to combine.

4. Continue cooking over medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens.

5. Remove from heat and serve over toasted buns with chips and dill pickles.

Preparation Tips And How To Store Leftovers

This is a great make ahead meal for busy weeknights! Prepare the Sloppy Joe meat in advance, let it cool to room temperature, and then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Freeze Leftover Venison Sloppy Joe Meat in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

How to Reheat: Place the sloppy joe meat in a saucepan, cover, and warm over low heat, stirring stirring often until heated through. If the sauce is too thick, add a little warm water, beef broth, or extra ketchup to thin. Spoon onto buns and enjoy!

More Ground Venison Recipes

I hope this easy Venison Sloppy Joes recipe becomes a new favorite for you. If you are looking for more dinner inspiration, check out more of our family favorites you can pull off in 30 minutes or less:

Deer Meat and Gravy over Mashed Potatoes

Easy Venison Burger Bowl

Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese

Best Ever Venison Cheeseburger

Jalapeno Popper Venison Flautas

Venison Cheeseburger Sliders

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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