Ah, the sizzle of a perfectly seared steak, the juicy tenderness of a succulent chicken breast, or the mouthwatering aroma of a slow-roasted pork shoulder – there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of a well-cooked piece of meat.
But as any seasoned chef will tell you, achieving that perfect balance of flavor, texture, and safety is all about cooking meat to the correct internal temperature. Like any other meat, venison meatloaf has to be cooked to the proper temperature in order to be both delicious and safe to eat.
What Is The Right Internal Temperature For Venison Meatloaf?
The right internal temperature for venison meatloaf is 160°F (71.1°C). The temperature should be taken with a food thermometer in the thickest part of the meat. It is important to note that the temperature should be taken in the center of the meat, not the edges.
How To Cook Venison Meatloaf To The Right Internal Temperature
The best way to ensure that venison meatloaf is cooked to the right internal temperature is to use a thermometer. However, a typical method would be to cook it at a temperature of 400°F (204.4°C) for about 1 hour.
It is also important to keep in mind that the internal temperature of venison meatloaf will continue to rise after it is removed from the heat source. Therefore, it is important to remove the venison meatloaf from the heat source when the thermometer reads 160°F (71.1°C). This will ensure that the venison meatloaf is cooked to the right internal temperature.
Why Is Internal Temperature Important?
Cooking food to the right internal temperature is essential for food safety. Bacteria can cause foodborne illness when food is not cooked to the right temperature.
Venison Meatloaf is particularly susceptible to foodborne illness because it can contain higher levels of bacteria than other meats. Therefore, it is important to ensure that venison meatloaf is cooked to the right internal temperature in order to avoid foodborne illness.
When Cooking Venison Meatloaf, It Is Important To Keep The Following Tips In Mind:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a loaf pan with cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, mix together ground venison, bread crumbs, onion, egg, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
3. Pack mixture into the prepared loaf pan.
4. Bake for 1 hour or until a meat thermometer inserted into the center of the loaf reads 160 degrees F.
5. Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with mashed potatoes and green beans.
Venison Meatloaf Recipes
Recipe 1. Venison Meatloaf with Sweet Potato Mash
Ingredients:
-1½ pounds ground venison
-1 small onion, diced
-1 green bell pepper, diced
-1 stalk celery, diced
-2 cloves garlic, minced
-1 egg
-1 cup bread crumbs
-¼ cup ketchup
-1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
-1 teaspoon salt
-½ teaspoon black pepper
-2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
-1 tablespoon butter
-¼ cup milk
-2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, mix together ground venison, onion, green bell pepper, celery, garlic, egg, bread crumbs, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper.
3. Spread mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish.
4. Bake for 1 hour.
5. Meanwhile, place sweet potatoes in a large pot. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes.
6. Drain sweet potatoes and place in a large bowl. Add butter and milk. Mash until desired consistency is reached. Stir in chopped parsley.
7. Serve sweet potato mash alongside venison meatloaf.
Recipe 2. Venison Meatloaf with Mushroom Gravy
Ingredients:
-1½ pounds ground venison
-1 small onion, diced
-1 green bell pepper, diced
-1 stalk celery, diced
-2 cloves garlic, minced
-1 egg
-1 cup bread crumbs
-¼ cup ketchup
-1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
-1 teaspoon salt
-½ teaspoon black pepper
-1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
-½ cup water
-1 tablespoon cornstarch
-2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, mix together ground venison, onion, green bell pepper, celery, garlic, egg, bread crumbs, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper.
3. Spread mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish.
4. Bake for 1 hour.
5. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together condensed soup, water, cornstarch, and parsley.
6. After meatloaf has baked for 1 hour, pour gravy over the top.
7. Continue baking for an additional 15 minutes, or until gravy is bubbly.
Sources
1. Foodie, F. V. (2022, November 4). Venison Meatloaf. Fox Valley Foodie. https://www.foxvalleyfoodie.com/venison-meatloaf/