8 Ways to Try Venison in Your Favorite Dinnertime Dishes

If you love to eat locally and seasonally, venison — a super lean yet filling cut of meat — makes a wonderful addition to your fall menu. Though you may have seen it on restaurant menus, you might be unfamiliar with how to prepare it at home, and could be intimidated by the idea of this "gamey" meat. But all you need is a little inspiration to make venison into a show-stopping meal. Click through for a few familiar favorites — that also incorporate venison — to get you started.

Venison Stuffed Shells: A crowd-pleasing classic thinks outside the box by adding lean venison and fresh greens. (via Jess Pryles)

Venison Souvlaki: Deer meat is extremely lean, so the key to executing this recipe with finesse is to make sure that your pan is scalding hot. That way the meat gets a nice sear without drying out. (via Honest Food)

Venison Goulash: A thick tomato base and medley of herbs make up the base for a hearty goulash. The addition of venison keeps the meal lean yet satisfying in this perfect one-pot meal. (via Kitchen Joy)

Venison Enchiladas With Red Sauce: Sprinkling in spices gives this venison a classic enchilada flavor. If you love sauce, double the quantity in this recipe for extra dipping pleasure. (via Nevada Foodies)

Venison Chili: You know those chilly evenings when you get home after work just wishing that all you had to do was heat up dinner and serve? This chili is the perfect solution for that predicament. (via Culinary Hill)

Spicy Asian Venison Bowl: If you crave Asian fare, don't limit yourself. Instead, try mixing it up by adding venison to a traditional sweet and spicy sauce. (via Grumpy's Honeybunch)

Venison Carne Asada Tacos: Taco Tuesday just became novel again. Inexpensive, quick, and flavorful, these tacos just need a sprinkle of cilantro to add a little zing. (via Heather Hollandaise)

Crockpot Venison Stew: Stew may be the quintessential dish for fall. This one is full of late-season veggies and protein to make each hearty bite into a spoonful of satisfaction. (via Grumpy's Honeybunch)