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Canned Deer Meat Gravy – Everything You Need To Know

Have you heard of the canned deer meat gravy? It’s yummy, and worth trying.

I’m here to spill the beans for you! Canned deer meat adds a mild and subtle taste to the gravy. It is a nutritionally healthy choice (compared to beef and pork).

One more thing! Canned deer meat gravy goes well with many side dishes like:

  • Rice Pilaf
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Grilled asparagus and a few others!!!

In this read today, I’ll try my best to let you know everything about canned deer meat gravy, along with some other useful information.

Venison with venison gravy

Is Canned Deer Meat Already Cooked?

Have you ever wanted to make canned deer meat gravy and wondered whether this meal is already cooked?

Well, my hungry pals, let me satisfy your curiosity!

The canned deer meat is already cooked! I know this because during the canning process, I have two choices:

  • Raw-pack the meat: Just throw some cold chunks of deer meat into the jar and let the pressure canning process do its magic to cook it.
  • Pre-brown the meat: When I am feeling a bit extra, I pre-brown the meat, pack it up in pint or quart jars, and process it for canning.

This means you can simply pop the canned deer meat open, make its gravy (or just heat it up), and voila – delicious dinner is served without breaking much sweat.

What Does Canned Venison Taste Like?

Venison gravy close up with a black spoon

Canned deer meat gravy usually has a subtle and mild taste. It does not overpower your taste buds but gives you an oh-so-delicious feeling. 

Some food lovers even describe its taste as – tender, delicious like a beef tip! 

Now, here is the secret to improving the taste of canned deer meat gravy: The Seasoning! 

Just sprinkle some rosemary, thyme, garlic, black pepper, and maybe a dash of Worcestershire sauce to turn that canned deer meat gravy into a taste sensation. 

Is Canned Venison Good?

Canned deer meat gravy is not just good; it’s a nutritional champion!

Let me tell you some tasty facts about its nutritional value to make your health-conscious heart do a happy dance.

A three-ounce cut of canned deer meat contains 134 calories and only 3 grams of fat. 

Now, let’s compare that to beef, which usually has 259 calories and 18-gram of fat for the same amount. Pork, on the other hand, consists of 214 calories and 13 grams of fat. 

But wait, there’s more! Now, when you calculate the nutritional value of canned deer meat gravy, you get 359 calories per 244-gram serving. This serving is packed with 8.6 grams of fats, 62 grams of protein, and just 3.9 grams of carbs. 

I know what you are thinking: the amount of sugar and fiber in the canned deer meat gravy, right? Well, it’s minimal – 0.2 grams of sugar and zero dietary fiber.  

All in all, it is like a guilt-free indulgence for your tastebuds and health goals. 

Is Canned Venison Safe?

Cans of deer gravy

While deer meat (venison) is pretty rich in nutrition, there are some health risks of consuming it that you should be aware of. 

First up, the risk of getting Brucellosis disease is increased! Especially if the fluid or tissue of infectious deer gets into your eyes, nose, mouth, or skin. 

This happens when you:

  • Do field dressing.
  • Cut the deer meat into slices.
  • Hande and prepare raw deer meat for canning.
  • Eat canned deer meat that is not fully cooked while preparing its gravy. 

Here’s another curveball! Eating canned deer meat might even increase the risk of bowel cancer. Yeah, I know, it’s not the kind of news you wanted to hear, especially when you are all prepared to make its gravy. But it is what it is!

Now, let me tell you about another villain in the story – improperly canned deer meat. The true risk here is the toxins and microbes that may survive the canning process (especially in the improperly canned meat).

These microbes can lead to Botulism, which is a life-threatening disease if you consume such canned deer meat gravy (ugh, those troublesome bacterial toxins!) 

Can You Add Liquid Beef Broth To Canned Deer Meat? 

You can add liquid beef broth to canned deer meat while preparing the gravy. And trust me, it’s like adding a flavor explosion to your meal. 

Here’s the deal: For every pint of canned deer meat, you can add 3 – 4 cups of beef broth instead of water to make the gravy. 

Feel free to change the quantity of the broth based on your taste preferences and the consistency you want.

What Goes Well With Canned Deer Meat Gravy? 

Now that you’ve got your hand on canned deer meat gravy, you may want to know what side dishes play well with its savory goodness. 

Let’s talk about them!

  • Rice Pilaf: It’s a hearty and flavorful side dish that perfectly complements the mild, earthy taste of canned deer meat. This delicious dish adds a nutty and slightly chewy texture of wild rice to your meal.
  • Mashed Potatoes: Mashed potatoes are a no-brainer if you are feeling classic. Their creamy, garlicky taste provides a satisfying and smooth contrast to canned deer meat gravy. 
  • Grilled Asparagus: For vegetable lovers, grilled asparagus is a winner! It brings a fresh and crisp bite to your canned deer meat gravy. The smoke char and natural earthiness of asparagus improve the taste of the meat even more. 
  • Mushroom Risotto: If you are in for a savory and creamy flavor with your deer meat, Mushroom risotto is the perfect dish for you. 

I know some other side dishes that go well with canned deer meat gravy that are:

  • Creamed spinach
  • Butternut squash
  • Carrots and potatoes
  • Brussels sprouts with bacon
  • Baked potato soup
  • Cranberry sauce
  • Green beans with almonds
  • Roasted root vegetables

So, mix and match these side dishes with your canned deer meat gravy, and let your tastebuds enjoy different flavors. 

Ending Notes!

There you go, fellow foodies! I covered everything you need to know about canned deer meat gravy (from taste profile to the side dishes that go well with it).

So the next time you go into your kitchen, bring out the canned deer meat jars and bring the flavors to life by making a delicious gravy. 

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