venison | The Filson Journal

DIY: Campfire Smoked Venison Jerky

When it comes to classic trail foods, jerky is always on the list. Whether purchased at a gas station on the way to the trailhead or made from a deer killed on a family hunting trip, jerky provides a great protein-rich, flavorful, shelf-stable snack for road trips, cold ridgeline glassing, or drinking beer around the campfire. In this article, i’ll run through how i make jerky, give an idea for a marinade, and show how to make a field-expedient jerky smoker to cure meat in the backcountry.

10 Min

venison chili, cheese, avocado, sour cream, onion and herbs in a cast iron skillet on a grill grate

Food & Recipes

Filson Food: Homemade Venison Chilli

In my book, there is only one type of chili and it isn’t packed with beans and a scant amount of low-quality ground meat. A real chili should have chunks of high-quality meat in a rich flavorful sauce, no filler, plus some wicked toppings. Some people may say this isn’t “traditional,” but keep in mind that even traditional recipes are constantly evolving: the original chili of the 17th century is different than the chili of the 19th century. As far as I am concerned, this is 21st-century chili. Instant coffee, beer, and whole chilies and spices are key to building the deep, rich flavors of this chili. Thick, high-fat sour cream and freshly grated good quality aged cheddar make all the difference. And using venison in chili makes perfect sense, as it is much more flavorful than the more commonly used beef. Like any stewed dish, this chili will get better after sitting overnight and being served the following day.

3 Min

hand holding a cut of venison bacon uncut covered in a white powder in front of a wood fired stove

Food & Recipes

Filson Food: Cure Your Own Venison Bacon

Before you start licking your chops imagining sitting down to venison bacon and eggs in the morning, we must disclose that this is not that kind of bacon. If you are set on the more familiar pork belly bacon though, this recipe will work just fine with some small adjustments.

3 Min

cooked venison shank in sauce being served by chef

Food & Recipes

Filson Food: Smoked Garlic Venison Shanks

Ask a dozen hunters what their favorite cut of meat is on wild deer and you will likely get a handful who tell you it is shanks. The shank is a cut that gets a good work out, especially on wild game, and as a result it has a lot of flavor. This recipe from Chef Connor Gabbott is a simple one, light on ingredients and lots of room for the shanks to take center stage and shine.

6 Min