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    Peak to Plate » All Wild Game » Venison

    Venison Sashimi with Ponzu and Chili Crisp

    Published: Apr 9, 2021 · Modified: Apr 7, 2022 by Annie Weisz · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Jump to Recipe

    You know those backstrap ends that are so small, they're almost impossible to cook properly? Well, I have a solution for you - don't cook them! Ok, hear me out here. When I cut into the backstraps of my whitetail doe, I thought "hey, that looks a lot like ahi tuna." Ever since then, I've been dreaming of making a sashimi style recipe. Let me tell you, it was worth the wait and I would make it a thousand times over again. Yes, it's that good. If you're a sushi kind of person, that is.

    venison sashimi with jalapenos and chopsticks in black dish.
    whitetail sashimi ingredients
    Jump to:
    • Is it safe to eat raw deer meat?
    • What cut of meat should I use for venison sashimi?
    • How do you cut venison for sashimi?
    • How do you make ponzu sauce?
    • Assembly:
    • Venison Sashimi with Ponzu and Chili Crisp

    Is it safe to eat raw deer meat?

    Well, that depends on your definition of "safe." I feel a heck of a lot better about eating raw venison that only I touched rather than some ahi tuna that came from who knows where and has been sitting in a restaurant cooler for who knows how long. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy sushi and sashimi, but I understand the risks involved. There are a few questions I'd ask myself before choosing to eat raw venison. If the answer is no to any of the questions below, I wouldn't eat it raw.

    1. Did the animal appear healthy? This isn't a sure way to know if the meat is safe to eat raw, but it's a good start.
    2. Did you kill the animal with a clean shot? If you gut-shot the animal, don't eat it raw. The meat could be contaminated with E. coli and other nasty stuff.
    3. Did you butcher the animal safely? Were your knives and cutting boards clean and did you keep the meat cold?
    4. Did you freeze the meat? Freezing the meat for at least 48 hours (preferably longer) kills any parasites that could be in the meat.
    venison hindquarter cuts on cutting board

    What cut of meat should I use for venison sashimi?

    I don't know about you, but I have a hard time cooking the small backstrap ends from a deer. They can be so small, that they're easy to overcook! Especially if they came from a smaller animal like a young doe. This makes them the perfect cut to slice into sashimi.

    If you don't have the backstrap ends, I would use another tender cut from the rest of the backstrap. The tenderloins may seem like a good choice but the potential for contamination is greater due to their location on the animal. Since you don't have the opportunity to tenderize the meat, it needs to be tender on its own. It also helps a lot to use the meat from a younger animal, if possible. If you're interested in experimenting with venison and Asian flavors but aren't interested in eating it raw, give this grilled elk steak with Asian marinade a try!

    How do you cut venison for sashimi?

    There are 3 rules for cutting venison for sashimi.

    1. Keep the meat as frozen as possible.
    2. Slice it as thin as you can manage.
    3. Thaw the meat the rest of the way on paper towels.
    slicing venison for sashimi
    venison thawing on paper towels

    Keeping the meat mostly frozen makes it much easier to get thin slices. The thinner you can slice it, the better. Like I said above, you don't have the opportunity to tenderize the meat. Keeping it as thin as possible will help with the tenderness. I almost always thaw my meat on paper towels, no matter what I'm using it for. The paper towels help soak up the myoglobin that leaches out of the meat due to the freezing and thawing process. This removes off flavors from the meat and keeps it from getting too wet. This is especially important for this recipe because you want the meat to soak up all of that delicious ponzu sauce.

    venison thawing on paper towels

    How do you make ponzu sauce?

    Ponzu is a sauce traditionally made with a base of soy sauce and juice from the yuzu citrus fruit. Sure you could just buy some ponzu sauce, but it's more fun to make your own. I don't know about your location, but yuzu isn't very easy to come by in Wyoming. Luckily, you can use a few other citrus fruits instead.

    Most ponzu recipes will tell you to use a combination of lime and lemon juices to replace the yuzu. But, I really love the flavor combination from fresh mandarin oranges and limes instead. Besides the soy sauce and citrus juice and zest, you need some kombu (a type of seaweed), bonito flakes, and some sugar. Mix them all up in a jar, refrigerate it overnight, strain it, and you're good to go! You'll be amazed at the depth of flavor and umami in this sauce. It is seriously SO good.

    ponzu ingredients
    ponzu sauce in jar

    Assembly:

    Once your meat is sliced and thawed fully and your ponzu is ready, it's time to assemble your dish! I added a variety of flavors and textures to this recipe to keep it exciting. The ponzu is the base to coat the meat with a rich, deep flavor. Chili crisp and thinly sliced jalapeno bring some crunch and spiciness to the dish. Bonito flakes bring some smokiness and a little bit of funk. The citrus zest on top brightens it up and brings the whole dish together. This dish is seriously such a treat to eat. I hope you give it a try!

    chili crisp in bowl
    thinly sliced jalapeno
    lime and orange zest in bowl
    venison sashimi with jalapenos and chopsticks in black dish.
    venison sashimi close up
    venison sashimi with jalapenos and chopsticks in black dish.

    Venison Sashimi with Ponzu and Chili Crisp

    Annie Weisz
    If you're looking for an adventurous new way to prepare your wild game harvest, this venison sashimi is full of exciting flavors and textures that are sure to become a new favorite!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 0 mins
    Ponzu Marinating Time 1 d
    Total Time 1 d 20 mins
    Course Appetizer, Main Course
    Cuisine Japanese
    Servings 4 (appetizer size) or 2 (main course size)
    Calories 86 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
      

    Sashimi:

    • 6 oz venison backstrap (preferably from a young doe)
    • ¼ cup ponzu sauce (recipe below)
    • 1 tablespoon chili crisp
    • ½ jalapeno, very thinly sliced
    • 1 tablespoon bonito flakes
    • ½ lime, zested (other half used in ponzu)
    • ½ mandarin orange, zested (other half used in ponzu)
    • pickled ginger, for serving on the side

    Ponzu Sauce:

    • 3 tablespoon soy sauce (high quality preferred)
    • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
    • ½ lime, zested (other half used for garnish)
    • ½ mandarin orange, zested (other half used for garnish)
    • 1 tablespoon lime juice (freshly squeezed)
    • 1 tablespoon mandarin orange juice (freshly squeezed)
    • 1 teaspoon sugar
    • 1" piece dried kombu
    • 1 tablespoon bonito flakes

    Instructions
     

    Sashimi:

    • Thaw meat slightly. It should still be fairly frozen when you slice it. Slice meat against the grain into paper-thin slices. Place slices on a paper towel-lined plate in a single layer. Cover and refrigerate until meat is fully thawed and paper-towels have soaked up some juices.
    • Arrange meat in a single layer on a platter or sushi dish. Pour ponzu sauce over the meat. Arrange chili crisp, jalapeno slices, bonito flakes and lime and orange zest over the meat. Return dish to the fridge for 15-20 minutes to chill completely. Serve with pickled ginger on the side.

    Ponzu:

    • Combine all ingredients in a small glass jar. Refrigerate overnight. Strain out solids and it's ready to go!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 86kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 14gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 453mgPotassium: 247mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 59IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 2mg
    Nutrition Information Disclosure
    Love this recipe?Mention @peak.to.plate on Instagram and tag #peaktoplate

    Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.

    Jump to:
    • Is it safe to eat raw deer meat?
    • What cut of meat should I use for venison sashimi?
    • How do you cut venison for sashimi?
    • How do you make ponzu sauce?
    • Assembly:
    • Venison Sashimi with Ponzu and Chili Crisp

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    Hi, I'm Annie! I'm a wife, mom of 2 boys, Registered Dietitian, Wyoming native, lover of all things food, and the creator of Peak to Plate. I believe that preparing delicious meals and enjoying them mindfully is the best way to pay respect to animals harvested for our consumption. I hope to inspire you to take your cooking skills to new creative heights.

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