Where to Get Pork Fat for Venison – A Complete Guide

Venison is a lean, healthy meat that’s growing in popularity. But on its own, it can be a bit dry and gamey for some palettes. That’s why many hunters and venison enthusiasts like to mix in pork fat when grinding venison for burgers, meatballs, sausage and more. The added fat provides moisture, richness and heightens the flavor of the venison.

But where exactly can you find pork fat to mix with your venison? Here’s a complete guide to sourcing the best pork fat for venison recipes.

Ask Your Local Butcher

The best place to start is with your local butcher shop or meat market. Walk in and talk to the butcher about your venison recipes and plans to mix in some pork fat. A good butcher will offer suggestions and have pork fat options ready for you.

You can specifically ask for plain pork fatback This is the thick, soft layer of fat that runs along the back of the pig It’s very high in fat content, which is ideal for softening up lean venison. Many butchers stock slabs of fatback. The butcher can slice off a chunk to your desired thickness and weight.

Another option is to get fatty trimmings from cuts like pork shoulder or belly. The butcher may have these on hand from breaking down whole hogs. Or you can buy marbled cuts like Boston butt or pork belly then trim off and grind the fat yourself at home. This gives you more control over the fat content.

Building a relationship with your local butcher is a great way to source quality pork fat on a regular basis. Let them know you’re a regular venison grinder looking for pork add-ins. A good butcher will keep you in mind and set aside fat as it comes in.

Check Your Grocery Store

Your standard supermarket is another reliable place to pick up pork fat for venison. Look in the meat department cooler and you’ll likely find packaged pork fatback. Most grocers stock it right alongside the other pork cuts. Packages are often 1-2 lbs.

You may also spot plastic tubs of fresh pork fat trimmings in the meat case. This is unrendered fat that the butcher cut off of roasts, loins and other cuts. Scoop some into your basket for venison recipes. The meat guys at the counter can also get you chunks of fatback or spare trimmings upon request.

Finally, check the baking aisle for cans or jars of rendered pork lard. This shelf-stable, purified fat is great for providing rich pork flavor to venison recipes without going rancid. Grab a few jars for your pantry.

Grocery store pork fat works nicely for venison at a convenient location. Just watch out for added water or chemicals in packaged options. Check the label and ingredients.

Check Local Pig Farms

If you’re lucky to live near hog farms, this can be a jackpot for fresh pork fat. Many small farms run their own butcher shops or meat markets on site. And they’ll have plenty of pork fat for sale from their own animals.

Farm stands and specialty food stores that source from local farms are another option for humanely-raised pork fat. Visit and ask farmers about their breed of hog, feed sources and care practices to ensure quality.

Buying direct from the farm cuts out the middleman. And you can get Exactly the type of fresh pork fat you want for optimal flavor and fat content. Building relationships with local pig farmers gives you a consistent source of quality fat for all your venison needs.

Order Online

For those without ready access to butchers and pork farms, the internet opens up many avenues for buying pork fat for your venison. There are several options in today’s online food marketplace:

• Specialty Meat Shops: Many high-end butcher shops now offer online ordering and shipping for their premium pork and other meats. Browse their selection of fatback, lard and other items and place an order. Your pork fat gets safely shipped to your doorstep.

• Amazon: You can actually find an array of pork fat products available on Amazon these days. Look for top rated sellers offering quality fatback, lard, etc. Prime members get quick shipping.

• Online Farm Stores: Small farms that don’t have public storefronts will often sell items online. Browse for local pig farms that offer online ordering and delivery for their pork fat and other products. Look for minimally processed options from heritage hog breeds.

• Specialty Food Sites: Online gourmet retailers like D’Artagnan offer quality heritage lard and pork fatback you can order online. Shipping is available to most locations.

No matter where you live, online shopping opens up many choices for having quality pork fat delivered right to your kitchen for making the best venison possible.

Final Thoughts

The key to great venison is using high quality pork fat for rich flavor and tender texture. With an array of options available locally and online, every venison grinder can source the right fat for their recipes. Keep these points in mind when choosing your pork fat:

• Talk to Your Butcher – Ask for help picking the right fat options and quantities for your venison grind.

• Shop Local – Check out independent butchers, grocers and farms near you for the freshest pork fat options.

• Consider Fatback – This versatile, flavorful cut is ideal for most venison applications.

• Watch Out for Additives – Avoid pork fat with added water or preservatives when possible.

• Buy in Bulk – Get larger quantities when available so you always have fat on hand for venison.

• Explore Online – Websites open up many specialty pork fat options that ship right to your door.

With so many great sources available, there’s no excuse not to get your hands on quality pork fat for creating the ultimate venison experience each and every time. Just follow these tips to find all the venison gold your heart desires.