As an avid deer hunter, I know that finding high-quality beef fat is crucial for enhancing the flavor and texture of venison. After the thrill of the hunt comes the meticulous processing required to turn your deer into delicious steaks, roasts, and burgers. The right beef fat transforms lean venison into tender, juicy meat with a balanced flavor.
But sourcing that prime beef fat can be tricky when you don’t know where to look. In this complete guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know about buying beef fat for deer processing. We’ll explore why it matters, your purchasing options, how to choose the right type, proper storage, and tips for using it when processing your deer.
Why Beef Fat Matters for Deer Processing
First let’s look at why beef fat makes such a difference when processing your deer
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Enhances flavor – The rich, beefy flavor balances out the strong gamey taste of venison Just a bit of beef fat binds everything together into a delicious harmony.
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Improves texture – Adding beef fat to ground venison keeps it tender and juicy after cooking, preventing dryness. The fat moistens and binds the meat.
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Retains moisture – Because it’s high in saturated fat, beef fat doesn’t render out completely during cooking. This helps retain moisture in roasts, burgers, and sausage.
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Mimics marbling – Interspersing beef fat mimics the marbling effect that gives beef its signature mouthfeel and flavor delivery.
The bottom line: Quality venison relies on the perfect ratio of beef fat when processing. Now let’s find out where to source it.
Where to Buy Beef Fat for Deer Processing
You have several options when it comes to purchasing beef fat for enhancing your venison:
Local Butcher Shop
My number one recommendation is to head to a local butcher shop or meat market. Talk to the butcher about buying beef fat trimmings, suet, or tallow.
The advantage of a butcher is you can inspect the fat in person and request custom cuts like diced beef fat for sausage making. Grass-fed is ideal.
Online Retailer
Another option is ordering beef fat from a specialty online meat purveyor. Companies like ButcherBox, Crowd Cow, and FarmFoods ship a variety of beef fat products nationwide.
Look for suet, leaf lard, and grass-fed tallow. Delivery is convenient but you can’t see the cuts in person.
Direct from a Ranch
If you know any cattle ranchers in your area, you may be able to buy beef fat directly from them. Ranchers often have excess fat from processing their cattle that they sell for extra income.
The benefit here is you may be able to get large quantities of suet or untrimmed fat at wholesale prices.
Grocery Store Meat Department
Some grocery stores carry packaged beef fat near the butcher counter or in refrigerated cases. You may be able to special order it too.
The downside is grocery store fat often has more connective tissue and may be enhanced with broths or preservatives.
Save Your Own
Whenever you cook beef at home like roasts or steaks, save any trimmings in the freezer to accumulate your own beef fat supply.
While convenient, the flavor won’t be as ideal as fat sourced directly from a butcher or ranch.
Choosing the Right Beef Fat
Once you’ve sourced beef fat, look for:
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Freshness – It should look and smell fresh, not yellow or rancid.
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Purity – No additives, enhancers, or preservatives should be listed.
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Lean trim – Avoid fat with a lot of attached meat, skin, or sinew.
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Grass-fed – For the best flavor and nutrition, choose grass-fed/grass-finished beef fat.
For deer processing, suet (hard fat from around the kidneys) and beef tallow render the best results.
Proper Storage and Handling
Follow these guidelines for storing your precious beef fat:
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Keep refrigerated at 38°F or below for up to 3 months.
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Freeze at 0°F or below for up to 1 year.
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When freezing, divide into portions to avoid repeated thawing.
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Thaw frozen fat slowly in the refrigerator before using.
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If melted, allow to resolidify in the fridge before using.
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Discard if you see any mold, dry spots, or rancid odors during storage.
Proper handling maintains the integrity of the fat until you need it for your venison.
Using Beef Fat for Deer Processing
When trimming and grinding your deer, beef fat enables you to create amazing venison recipes. Here are some tips:
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Grinding – Mix 10-15% diced beef fat into your venison before grinding for incredible burgers and sausage.
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Marinating – Add diced fat to your ground or whole muscle venison to marinate for more flavor infusion.
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Roasts – Drape untrimmed leaf lard over venison roasts and chops while cooking to baste the meat.
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Sausage – Use finely diced beef fat in place of pork fat to make venison sausage with a beefier taste.
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Steaks – Baste venison steaks quickly with rendered beef tallow as they cook for added moisture and sizzle.
With the proper ratio of high-quality beef fat, you’ll be enjoying the finest venison possible from your processed deer.
Get Creative with Beef Fat Venison Recipes
Now that you know where to source it and how to use it, get creative with recipes like:
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Venison burger patties mixed with 20% ground beef fat
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Venison meatloaf baked with beef suet chunks
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Venison sausage with ground beef fat instead of pork fat
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Venison stew braised with beef tallow
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Venison roast or chops topped with raw beef fat before cooking
Any cut of venison benefits from the addition of beefy richness. So give your deer processing a boost with high-quality beef fat!
Key Takeaways on Buying Beef Fat for Deer
When processing your prized venison, don’t forget the key step of adding beef fat for flavor and moisture. Follow this guide to:
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Check local butchers, online shops, stores, and ranches for quality suet, tallow, and trimmings.
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Select fresh, pure beef fat preferably from grass-fed cattle.
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Store in the fridge or freezer to maintain integrity.
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Use a 10-15% ratio when grinding venison or incorporate into recipes.
With the perfect amount of flavorful beef fat, your venison will go from lean and gamey to tender, juicy, and absolutely delicious. Happy deer processing and bon appétit!
Grinding Deer Meat with the Right Fat Ratio for Burgers
FAQ
Where to get fat to add to venison?
What is the best fat to add to deer meat?
Can you buy animal fat at the grocery store?
Do butchers throw away fat?
Where to buy beef fat for deer processing?
The best place to buy beef fat for deer processing is from a local butcher or meat market. They will have a better selection of high-quality fats than you would find at a grocery store or online. You may also be able to find beef fat from a local deer processor or hunting outfitter.
How much beef fat is needed for deer processing?
For those who are deer hunting, it’s important to know how much beef fat is needed for deer processing. The general rule of thumb is to buy one pound of beef fat for every two pounds of deer meat. This will ensure that the deer meat is properly preserved and has a good flavor. Another important factor to consider is the quality of the beef fat.
What is the best fat for deer sausage?
The best fat for deer sausage is a combination of pork back fat and beef suet. Pork back fat gives the sausages their desired texture, taste, and moisture while beef suet provides a traditional flavor that will be appreciated by venison lovers. Both fats offer an ideal balance of leanness and richness to your wild game meat dishes.
Can You Make your own deer fat?
This can be a bit more work than buying it pre-rendered, but it can also be a great way to save money and ensure that you are getting high-quality fat. To render your own fat, simply cut up the deer carcass into small pieces and render the fat in a slow cooker or on the stovetop. You can then strain the fat and use it for your deer processing.