The one-pan campfire tater tot casserole recipe for ground venison rules over all others when it comes to quick and easy chow. One version stands out and reigns supreme here in Minnesota, and that’s the good the BDLS version. This campfire tater tot casserole recipe for ground venison is as Midwestern as bumping into someone and them apologizing? You betcha.

“John hunts a lot, so there are loads of ground deer in our freezer. I use it in each dish that calls for ground beef. This has become one of our favorite recipes. Who does not enjoy tater tots?!? We grownups like them, too.”

The campfire tater tot casserole recipe for ground venison is one of the dishes that can be flavored to your liking. I’ve come across taco tater tots, cheeseburger tater tots, sloppy Joe tater tots, breakfast tater tots, and many more. In this version, we’re staying true to the canned-goods staple. Add venison, jalapeño, bacon, and fresh wild mushroom gravy to enhance the creamy, cheesy flavor.

Table of Contents

Cooking Method

Build a campfire with metal great or chain to hang the cast iron Dutch oven

Cook the bacon in a cast iron skillet until it’s very crispy. Set aside the bacon.
Coat a cast-iron skillet with oil or butter. Cook the venison until it is completely browned; season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Remove the meat and set it aside.
In the same pan or pot where you browned the meat, combine the stick of butter, garlic, and onion, and simmer until the onions begin to caramelize on the edges. Add the mushrooms, salt, pepper, and thyme, and sauté until fully cooked. Stir in the flour evenly and heat until it bubbles and turns golden brown.

When the butter/flour combination turns golden brown, add the liquid and bring to a boil. Finally, add the heavy cream and heat to a boil. Reduce the gravy to a simmer, stirring regularly, and let it thicken. Check the flavor and then remove from the fire to cool.
In a large mixing dish, combine the ground venison, gravy, and 6 ounces of cheese Top Tater Dip with sweet corn, green beans, and jalapeño. Place the casserole contents in a cast iron Dutch oven and distribute evenly. Place a single layer of tater tots on top of the filling.
Put the Dutch oven over the campfire for one hour or until the tater tots are crispy and the filling is bubbly. Spread the remaining cheese evenly on top and place back in the oven. Cook for 10 minutes more or until the cheese melts and gets golden brown on the edges. Remove and let the dish stand for 15-20 minutes. Crumble the bacon and sprinkle on top.

Key Ingredients

Casserole

24 oz. tater tots
1 lb. ground venison
1/2 lb. bacon, crumbled
8 oz. shredded cheese
24 oz. homemade mushroom gravy
1/2 cup sour cream
1 can sweet corn
1 can green beans, French style
1/4 cup jalapeño, diced
2 tbsp. avocado oil
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper, fresh ground
1 tsp. paprika

Mushroom Gravy

2 cups packed mushrooms, chopped
1 cup onion, diced yellow onion
4 cloves garlic, diced
1 cup venison stock
1 pint cream, heavy
8 tsp butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. black pepper, fresh ground
1 tsp. dry thyme, (optional)

Why I Love This Campfire Tater Tot Casserole Recipe for Ground Venison

Healthy benefits! Venison, is especially, becoming increasingly popular as a result of the move toward a healthy diet that is lower in saturated fats and has less preservatives and unnatural growth enhancers. Deer meat is beneficial in a variety of ways.

Super Food! Thankfully, venison is an excellent source of vitamins and nutrients, including B vitamins, which can aid in the production of healthy red blood cells.

Healthier than beef! Because deer are are less fatty than cows, venison is often better for you than beef. An typical cut of deer contains about half the calories and one-sixth the saturated fats of a comparable proportioned piece of beef. It provides more protein, vitamins, and minerals than beef.

Health Benefits of Venison

People want to consume better and more nutritious meals, regardless of diet. As a result, people are finding foods other than beef and red meats. Despite its leanness, rich taste, and low calorie content, venison, sometimes known as deer meat or venison meat, is not often consumed.

Venison is especially renowned for its versatility, since it may be used to make meatballs, steak, roasts, burgers, and stew. We will go over the various health advantages of venison in depth, offer some venison nutrition fats, and explain why venison is the ideal healthy alternative meat to incorporate into your diet.

High quality protein.

Venison is an excellent alternative if you want to discover more about your lean meat selections. Deer meat provides somewhat more protein than other types of red meat, making it an ideal choice for people looking to increase their protein consumption for weight reduction.

Venison includes the whole set of necessary amino acids, including linoleic acid, a fatty acid that our systems require but cannot produce on their own. Every 3 ounces of venison has around 24 grams of protein, making it an excellent protein source for a balanced diet.

Lean protein

Most venison cuts are very lean, which means they have less fat and hence less calories than other meats. Wild game meat is considered nutritious since it has relatively little saturated fat and cholesterol.

Reducing saturated fat consumption is thought to lower the risk of heart attacks, heart disease, blood vessel blockage, and other conditions1.Switching to leaner meat options, such as venison, is an excellent method to increase your lean meat intake.

This is also an excellent alternative for those concerned about their cholesterol levels.

Promotes immune system development.

Venison is high in zinc, a vital element that plays a critical function in our bodies. Zinc promotes the correct formation and proliferation of immunological cells. Zinc also protects against oxidative stress induced by inflammation.3. Adequate zinc intake from venison lowers symptoms of the common cold and the duration of respiratory infections in children and people living in chilly climates.

Promotes muscle growth.

Deer meat contains a high concentration of proteins, which are vital components for bodybuilding. One of their most significant advantages is their ability to assist heal bodily tissues. Protein is a building block for muscles, bones, cartilage, and skin, thus eating enough of it will help you gain muscular mass.

Venison also includes L-glutamine, which promotes muscle recovery4. In addition, consuming L-glutamine supplements reduces muscular discomfort and accelerates healing.

Improved Memory

The foods we consume have a significant influence on the health of our brain. Deer meat, for example, includes vitamins and minerals that aid brain function, such as memory and attention.

Venison contains vitamin B12, which promotes memory and learning abilities5. Vitamin B3 aids in the prevention of cognitive deterioration, which can lead to illnesses like Alzheimer’s disease. Vitamin B6, on the other hand, promotes mental wellness and elevates mood.

Final Thoughts

Deer meat offers various advantages, including excellent nutritional value, environmental friendliness, and a rich supply of vitamins and minerals essential to human health. The animals live in their natural surroundings and eat natural foods, making them a healthier alternative to most conventionally sourced meat.

As long as it is sustainably procured from healthy deer, venison is one of the most nutritious and healthiest meats available. If you want to learn more, check out our large recipe collection for ground venison.

The 3 Best Ways Of Getting Fresh Venison

Local Butcher Shop

Your neighborhood butcher shop can sometimes have some unusual offerings. Usually, these rarer offerings are seasonal. Venison may be one of the seasonal options that the shop offers. Go in or call and ask the butcher if they ever get in venison. If they don’t, consider asking them to carry it when they can. Venison can be easily frozen, and your local butcher may be open to finding you some if you’re willing to buy in bulk. Small, local shops are more likely to be able to help you find what you need, and if they can’t get it for you, they might be able to point you to someone who can.

Farms, Ranches and Farmer’s Markets

Local farms, ranches or farmers markets are also sources of venison. Some farms and ranches raise deer for slaughter or preform meat processing for hunters, so you may be able to find what you’re after. If they don’t provide people with venison, ask if they know someone who will.

Farmers markets are going to be the best place to get fresh vegetables and fruits, but they can also be a useful source of information. Ask around to see if the vendors know of anyone who sells venison and try to find out how to get the proper contact information.

Meat Suppliers

If all else fails, make some calls and do some research on the Web. There are a number of meat suppliers like Lobel’s of New York, Creekstone Farms and Omaha Steaks that sell a number of different types and cuts of meat. You should be able to find one that supplies venison. See if you can get some meat delivered right to your door or sent to a butcher shop near you. In some cases you’ll have to buy a certain amount of meat, but if you have a decent sized freezer, this shouldn’t be a problem.

Campfire Cooking Tools

Kitchen Twine
Mixing Bowl
Cast Iron Skillet
Grill Grate
Knives
Campfire Cooking Utensils
Campfire Serving Utensils
Campfire Fork or Tongs
Fire Proof Cooking Gloves
Cast Iron Dutch Oven
Foil Paper Non Stick

FAQ For the Campfire Tater Tot Casserole Recipe for Ground Venison

Q: What is the best way to prepare the tater tot casserole recipe for ground venison?

A: To prepare the tater tot casserole recipe for ground venison, it’s important to cook it until it’s browned, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. This will help to remove excess fat and ensure that the meat is evenly distributed throughout the casserole. You can also add some aromatics like onions, garlic, and bell peppers to the pan while cooking the venison for added flavor.

Q: Can I use frozen tater tots for this tater tot casserole recipe for ground venison, or do I need to use fresh ones?

A: You can definitely use frozen tater tots for this tater tot casserole recipe for ground venison! In fact, they work perfectly well and can save you some time in preparation. Just thaw the frozen tater tots according to the package instructions and pat them dry with paper towels before using them in the recipe.

Q: How do I prevent the tater tots from becoming soggy in the tater tot casserole recipe for ground venison?

A: To prevent the tater tots from becoming soggy, make sure to pat them dry with paper towels before adding them to the casserole. This will help to remove excess moisture. Additionally, try not to overmix the casserole ingredients, as this can cause the tater tots to break down and become soggy. Finally, bake the casserole in a hot oven (around 400°F) for a shorter amount of time (around 30-40 minutes) to help crisp up the tater tots.

Q: Can I customize the tater tot casserole recipe for ground venison to suit my family’s tastes?

A: Absolutely! The tater tot casserole recipe for ground venison is very versatile and can be customized to suit your family’s tastes. Some ideas for customization include adding diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or jalapenos for extra flavor, using different types of cheese (such as cheddar or mozzarella), or adding some dried herbs like thyme or oregano. Feel free to experiment and make the recipe your own!

Q: How do I store leftovers of the tater tot casserole recipe for ground venison, and how long does it keep?

A: To store leftovers of the tater tot casserole recipe for ground venison, let it cool completely to room temperature, then cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze the leftovers for up to 2-3 months. When reheating, make sure to heat the casserole to an internal temperature of at least 165°F to ensure food safety.

Other Venison Recipes to Try

The Best Campfire Chicken Fried Venison Cube Steak Recipe

Best Damm Venison Burger Recipe Ever

Our Favorite Easy Venison Hamburger Recipe