Tender, juicy, and full of rich flavor, this pan fried venison tenderloin is one of the easiest ways to enjoy wild game. With just a few simple ingredients and less than 15 minutes from start to finish, this recipe lets the natural flavor of the venison shine.
If your venison has been refrigerated, let it sit at room temperature for about 15 to 20 minutes before cooking. This helps it cook more evenly and develop a better crust.
For the best flavor, slice the tenderloin into evenly sized medallions so each piece cooks at the same rate.
Venison cooks much faster than beef. For the most tender results, cook just until the edges are browned and the center remains slightly pink, then let the meat rest for 3 to 5 minutes before serving.
Don't overcook it. Venison is very lean and dries out quickly.
Preheat the pan well. A hot skillet creates a beautiful sear.
Cook in batches. Crowding the pan lowers the temperature and causes the meat to steam instead of brown.
Let it rest. Resting allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.