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Home » Blog » Sides and Snacks

Easy Savory Venison Seasoning Rub

Published: Jan 5, 2022 · Modified: Aug 9, 2022 by Phil Kyle · This post may contain affiliate links, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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This venison rub is perfect for any game you harvest this hunting season. I would argue that this is one of the best dry rubs for your venison steaks or venison backstrap. I know that it's my favorite dry rub recipe for wild game roasts or grilled venison steaks.

A bowl of savory venison seasoning rub on a cutting board with a spoon in it

Features

  • An easy and delicious seasoning for your venison meat
  • A good dry rub for any venison cut or roast
  • Dietary Features: dairy-free, nut-free, gluten-free - Paleo and Keto friendly

Why You Will Love This Recipe

This deliciously lean meat tastes great with a simple seasoning like this new recipe.

Seasoning your nutritious meat is a great way to tenderize your meat while enhancing the flavor.

If you haven't tried a new seasoning in a while, it's worth experimenting with!

This seasoning is so good that your family might even name Bobby Flay as the cook once you use it.

This post will share the savory seasoning recipe, expert tips for the optimal taste experience, and a fully answered FAQ section.

Ingredient Notes

A white countertop with the ingredients needed to make venison seasoning rub
  • Whole black peppercorns - This ingredient will add a bit of a "kick" to create the perfect rub. Ground black pepper will work here, too.
  • Whole coriander seed - These light and sweet seeds are perfect for any venison recipe. This ingredient adds a citrus and curry flavor to the seasoning.
  • Whole cumin seeds - Give a warm, earthy flavor with a bittersweet nut essence.
  • Dried rosemary - This brings a bright, aromatic flavor to the seasoning with citrusy evergreen notes.
  • Dried thyme - As the saying goes, "you can never have enough thyme." And this recipe would agree! Thyme is the perfect ingredient to tie all the flavors together.
  • Kosher salt: You can also you sea salt if you would like.
  • Seasoned salt: Like Lawry's: a perfect combination of essential spices like paprika and turmeric that contains less sodium.
  • Granulated onion: What's a spice rub without onion?! This ingredient brings out the flavors of the rest while adding a savory component.
  • Cayenne pepper: For a hint of spice.
  • Brown sugar: For best results, don't leave this ingredient out! It's the perfect balance of sublet sweet to this savory rub.

Step-by-Step Instructions

A four step image collage showing how to make a venison seasoning rub
  • Step 1 - Add the black peppercorns, whole coriander, and whole cumin to a spice grinder and pulse a couple of times to get a coarse grind
  • Step 2 - Add the dried rosemary and dried thyme to the spice grinder and run to get a fine grind
  • Step 3 - Add remaining ingredients to the spice grinder and pulse to incorporate; grinding too much will pulverize the salt grains.
  • Step 4 - Transfer the venison seasoning rub to a small bowl if used immediately or an air-tight container and store it in a dark, dry cabinet for long-term storage.
  • Step 5 - Use the venison seasoning rub as desired. Apply to coat steaks, roasts, burgers, and any cut to grill or roast, and enjoy!

Storage Instructions

Store in a cool, dry, place at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 months

A bowl of savory venison seasoning rub on a cutting board with a spoon in it

Notes and Expert Tips

  • Plan to use at least one teaspoon of rub per pound of meat
  • Leaving the seasoning on for longer will allow the spices to permeate the meat, resulting in more tender meat when cooked
  • Feel free to add a generous amount of the spice mixture to the meat, as much of it will absorb
  • When using an outdoor grill for cooking your venison, go with a med-high grill so as not to scorch the rub.
  • Cooking your meat on a stovetop, a pre-heated, cast-iron skillet over med-high heat is recommended for evenly cooked meat
  • If roasting in an oven, put this on the entire surface of the roast, getting all sides of the meat, and coat with a little olive oil before cooking. This will help create a delicious crust.
  • Depending on the meat you enjoy, this seasoning can be a versatile staple in your pantry and works great with pork and chicken.

Frequently Asked Questions

What container is best used to store this seasoning in?

I recommend a mason jar.

Can I use this spice on any other meats?

Yes, of course! Besides venison, this is also a great seasoning for pork chops, grilled chicken, or burgers.

How long would you recommend leaving the seasoning on the meat?

You could leave it on overnight or for a couple of hours, at least 5-10 minutes on a minimum. Check out my grilled venison steak recipe for some ideas!

Can I add different herbs and spices?

Feel free to experiment with juniper berries, dehydrated garlic, chipotle pepper, bay leaf, and different varieties of sea salt; just be sure experimental flavors compliment each other.

More Easy Venison Recipes You Will Love

  • Mediterranean Venison Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce
  • Easy Venison Roast with Backstrap or Loin
  • 7 Surprising Health Benefits of Venison
  • Easy Grilled Venison Steak Recipe
A bowl of savory venison seasoning rub on a cutting board with a spoon in it

Savory Venison Seasoning Rub

Author: Chef Phil Kyle
This venison rub is perfect for any game that you harvest this hunting season. I would argue that this is one of the best dry rubs for your venison steaks or venison backstrap. I know that it's my favorite dry rub recipe for my wild game roasts or grilled venison steaks.
4.60 from 5 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Total Time 5 mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 36 teaspoons
Calories 4 kcal

Equipment

  • Coffee or spice grinder

Ingredients
  

Grind First

  • 1½ tablespoon whole black peppercorns
  • ¾ tablespoon whole coriander seeds
  • 1¾ teaspoon whole cumin seeds

Grind Second

  • 2 tablespoon dried rosemary
  • 2 tablespoon dried thyme

Grind Third

  • 3 tablespoon Kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon seasoned salt like Lawry's
  • 1 tablespoon granulated onion
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ½ tablespoon brown sugar

Instructions
 

  • Add the black peppercorns, whole coriander, and whole cumin to a spice grinder and pulse a couple of times to get a coarse grind.
  • Add the dried rosemary and dried thyme to the spice grinder and run to get a fine grind.
  • Add remaining ingredients to spice grinder and pulse to incorporate, grinding too much will pulverize the salt grains.
  • Transfer the venison seasoning rub to a small bowl if using immediately or an air-tight container and store in a dark, dry cabinet for long-term storage.
  • Use the venison seasoning rub as desired. Apply to coat steaks, roasts, burgers, pretty much any cut to grill or roast, and enjoy!

Notes

  • If you don't have whole and want to use already ground spices, just decrease the amount of coriander to ½ tablespoon and decrease the amount of cumin to 1 ½ teaspoons.
  • More cayenne pepper can be added for a spicier kick, or it can be swapped out for paprika or smoked paprika for a milder flavor.

Nutrition

Serving: 1teaspoon | Calories: 4kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 776mg | Potassium: 14mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 27IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Comments

  1. Bruce

    January 12, 2022 at 10:43 am

    5 stars
    Tastes great!!

    Reply
    • Emily Kyle

      March 10, 2022 at 10:01 am

      We are so glad you gave it a try! Thanks so much for the feedback, Bruce 🙂

      Reply

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Hi, we're Emily and Phil Kyle! A Dietitian and Chef combo teaching you how to cook venison with easy, approachable recipes.

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