Venison Neck Roast Recipe
Try this slow cooker venison neck roast and you’ll never look at a piece of venison the same way again. The venison neck roast is deliciously tender, flavorful and is a great use for an oft-overlooked roast!
I didn’t grow up in a family of hunters and the idea of eating venison (deer) was a little outside of my comfort zone. I’m not really sure what part of eating venison was the issue for me, since I’ve always been a proud omnivore it wasn’t an opposition to eating meat… Nor did I have a strong moral conflict with hunting, when done responsibly and compassionately (of course).
It was just different from what I was used to and I think so many people fear the unknown, I was no different. Looking back now, I’m sure that it was the venison flavor that was so intimidation. We’ve all heard less-than-wonderful things about wild game, being well, gamey.
Not long after I started dating my husband (in 2000) he got his first deer of the season. At first I avoided the whole-cute-deer-that’s-now-dead hanging in a tree completely. But I totally understood that he didn’t kill for sport, it wasn’t done with anger and aggression, this deer would be food.
And to me a deer killed swiftly and used to nourish your body is better than suffering needlessly on the side of the road after dancing with a fast moving automobile.
I was raised to never turn my nose up at food that’s offered to me, you ALWAYS politely try what’s served to you. You can politely say you don’t like something after tasting it and giving it an honest try. And I’ve tried to always pass that along to others with a stern, “we never yuck someone else’s yum” warning.
The first venison I ate was Venison Jerky and, well, I LOVE jerky and venison jerky was so good – it was undeniable! After that my hubby had me try his grandmothers breaded venison steaks (just like a traditional breaded Austrian Weiner Schnitzel, only made with venison instead of pork or veal) and again, there’s no denying that it tasted AMAZING.
Click HERE for my Grain Free Breaded Venison Recipe
Over the years I’ve transitioned away from just venison jerky and breaded deer steak to using a variety of cuts of venison in my kitchen – even using the bones for bone broth! (we also butcher our own deer so we have complete control over the cuts of meat and how it’s packaged) However, a Venison Neck Roast has become our favorite!
It’s just as it sounds, it’s the section of meat/bones in-between the head and shoulders. So you only get one per deer, on a good year we’ll have 4 neck roasts at then end of hunting season. Nothing scary or strange, just another hunk of meat at the end of the day.
Obviously the neck is a part of the deer’s body that is used a lot – it’s muscular with lots of connective tissue and has fat marbled through the meat – which means it will be best when cooked for a long time with moist heat – you Crock Pot is the perfect way to cook a Venison Neck Roast. Just stick your neck roast in your crock pot, season it up and and some water – cover and let it cook all-day-long. It’s seriously that easy. No need to baste or anything special.
How to Cook a Venison Neck Roast in the Slow Cooker
Cooking a venison roast recipe in the slow cooker is impossibly easy and only takes a few basic ingredients, which I’m going to guess you already keep stocked in your pantry.
In the pan of your slow cooker/crock pot add onions, a couple cloves garlic, salt, pepper and pour in water last. Sometimes I’ll add a sprinkle of parsley too, fresh or dried both work. You can also toss in a bay leaf.
At the end of the day (roughly 8 hours on high or 10-12 hours on the low setting ) the meat will be fork tender and you’ll have some amazing broth in the bottom of your crock pot to drizzle over your meat or using my easy recipe, you can make a delicious easy gravy, too!
You are going to be amazed at how easily the meat shreds off the bones. It will be so tender and delicious that you’ll be wanting to save those neck roasts for special occasions and celebrations because this venison roast recipe is amazing you can even trick your venison-phobic into lovers!
So, If you’ve ever wondered how do you use deer neck meat, now you know!
For a basic roast-vibe just add a side of your favorite potatoes and a green veggie, for an easy weeknight meal. Or shredded your neck roast to use in tacos, fajitas, lettuce wraps, too! This shredded venison recipe is also delicious served with my homemade BBQ sauce for a pulled venison sandwich!
And don’t forget – after you take your roast out of the crock pot, leave all those yummy bits & juice in your crock pot, toss back in the bones, onion/celery/carrot and more water and let it simmer for a couple days on low to make amazing venison bone broth!
Best Sides to Serve with Venison Roast
- The Best Mashed Potatoes or The Best Keto Mashed Cauliflower
- Creamed Ramp Greens Recipe
- Easy Roasted Garlic Parmesan Green Beans
- Wild Ramp Rice Recipe
- 5 Minute Pressure Cooker Rice Pilaf with Pine Nuts and Parsley
- 5-Mintue Pressure Cooker Saffron Rice
- Coconut Milk Creamed Spinach
Venison Neck Roast Recipe FAQs
Should you sear your neck roast prior to slow cooking?
I do no think it’s necessary to sear the roast, however it certainly isn’t a bad idea if you feel so inclined. You’ll need a large skillet to fit the size of the roast, heat it over medium-high heat with a few tbsp of ghee, avocado or olive oil. Sear your neck roast on all sides until golden brown.
What internal temperature should you cook venison?
Much like beef, venison can be deliciously cooked at a wide variety of internal temperatures based on the cut you are preparing. For a tenderloin stick to 125-135 for rare and for a venison roast ideally 160F for a well done roast.
Can I cook a neck roast in the oven?
Yes this recipe is also perfect for the oven too, in fact that how I originally started cooking neck roasts but the slow cooker is just a little easier. Just put everything in a dutch oven and bake at 350F for 8+ hours or until tender and falling apart.
Can I make Venison Stew from a neck roast?
Of course! Just follow this recipe, including make the gravy, transfer everything back into the slow cooker along with the vegetables of your choice. Instead of shredding your neck roast, try to keep the pieces in stew-sized chunks. Cook an additional 1 hour or until veggies are cooked through.
Can I use this recipe to make a Venison Pot Roast?
Absolutely! I use this recipe to cook ALL my venison and beef roasts interchangeably. It even makes venison shanks tender and delicious too! Add cubed potatoes and peeled carrots at the last hour of cooking your roast, if desired.
How can I customize this recipe?
First of all, I know this recipe sounds ‘basic” but I promise less is more. But if you enjoy using onion soup mix, cream of mushroom soup, Worcestershire sauce or using a cup beef broth, please feel free to add them into my recipe. All I ask is that you come back here and comment to share what additions you’ve made!
Isn’t a venison neck roast tough?
A neck roast is often discarded because it can indeed be a tougher cut of meat if cooked incorrectly. Using a slow cooker is the best way to ensure that your neck roast is tender.
Can you eat the deer neck meat?
Yep, I know it’s a less popular cut but there’s no need to fear!
What is the best slow cooker for a Neck Roast?
The one issue you may encounter when cooking a neck roast is that they can be larger than your slow cooker. I find that THIS slow cooker easily fits even the largest of neck roasts. It’s also the one you see in the photos in this post.
Venison Neck Roast
Ingredients
- 1 Venison Neck Roast approx. 4 pounds
- 2 tablespoons Garlic
- 1 large Onion sliced or chopped
- 2 tablespoons Sea Salt
- 2 teaspoons Black Pepper
- 2 cups Water, filtered
optional, for gravy
- 2+ tablespoons corn starch
- 2+ tablespoons Heavy Cream
Instructions
- Combine everything together in your crock pot and cook on HIGH for 8-10 hours
- Remove the meat and bones from your slow cooker. Shred, remove bones and set aside.
- Combine all the juices, onions, garlic and corn starch in a blender and puree until smooth.
- Heat on the stove top over medium until thickened, add in heavy cream. Season to taste.
Simple ingredients delicious taste. The only adjustment I made was instead of white onion I used green onions that’s what I had on hand.
I was wondering if the neck isn’t fully thawed, can I still put it in the crockpot? And how long would it take to cook it? Also can this be cooked on low?
Yes you can use a frozen neck roast. The timing will vary on the size of the roast. It can be cooked on low. Generally a neck roast that fits in a normal sized crock pot, cooked on low, would take about 10 hours in my best guess.
Hello! If the roast is mostly frozen, and cooked on medium, would I be able to stretch it to a 12 hr cook time? I’m gone about 12 hours a day so I’m wanting to figure out how to cook the neck roast for 12 hours!
Yes, just cook on low and add a cup of water just incase.
You can also do this in an Instant Pot in just a couple hours – delicious. I cooked it bone-in but my hubby is a little freaked about the spinal column. Do take the bone out?
We cook ours bone in
Absolutely fabulous! I was given a neck roast and had no idea how to cook it. I’m so glad I found your recipe. I didn’t alter the recipe and the roast turned out perfect. The venison was tender and moist, the flavour was fabulous. The liquid made the best gravy ever!!! Thank you for the recipe.
As for the bone broth recipe, can you freeze the broth or how do you store it?
Freeze, pressure can, freeze dry, dehydrate…
thanks Hayley – I bought venison neck chops from the supermarket thinking I could just toss them in a fry pan.
(1/ I’m male. 2/ I’m 81). My wife said you can’t do that! I said, why not, they’re chops?! She said, check the internet! Sadder and wiser, I gazed helplessly at various complicated recipes/ Then I discovered yours – brilliant! At my wife’s direction (she’s laid up with a broken metatarsal at present), I’ve added cut up carrots, parsnips, onions, tomatoes, bit of worcester sauce, now all simmering away beautifully. Will add the salt and pepper later, taste it, and maybe add further seasoning.
What I liked about your recipe was it’s sheer simplicity – all sorts of other things can be done if desired, but no need to.
All the best from Christchurch, New Zealand…
My amazing husband hunt a every year and brings home a white tail deer. I don’t really enjoy the meat but cook it anyway. Every roast has come out tough or dry using several methods! I took out the neck roast and googled a recipe! Thank the Lord I ended up with yours!!! I followed the easy directions with low expectations. We were blown away!! My husband was thrilled and I loved it!! I even used your directions again on another venison roast and it was fabulous! Thank you so much! I know longer fear cooking venison roasts..
Great post- the neck is definitely an under-appreciated cut, and it’s nice to see someone giving it some attention & love. I’ve known people who’ve given them to their dogs, or worse, thrown them away still attached to the head/hide. I most often use necks for pot roasts, crockpot barbeque or slow cooked barbacoa-style.
I just want to confirm this should be cooked for 8-10 hours on HIGH?!! This is my 1st time cooking venison neck…will there be enough liquid in the crock to sustain cooking that long on high? Thanks!!
yep! if you are worried add a cup of water but the meaty juices and fatty connective tissues will render down into liquids AND the longer cooking time is essential for it to be shreddable tender.
Perfect perfect perfect. I’m not the cook here but I can follow a simple recipe. This was unbelievable. The resident cook here said to cook it on low instead of HIGH for ten hours and it was fantastic. I might have over pulled it a little but that”s my inexperience with cooking. I added a little bbq sauce after pulling and cooked on high for 45 mins. Thank you so much for this recipe.
I’m 73 yrs young. I grew up hunting, killing, processing & eating wild game. The family motto was “eat right up to the bullet hole”!
It wasn’t until just recently that I had not taken the time to bone out the neck of a black tail doe and just threw it into the freezer.
When. I thawed out that package and realized it was that neck, I
Just threw it in the crock pot. Wasn’t thinking anything special but I’ll tell you that was the tenderous cut of venison I’ve had in decades. To think I’ve missed all those decades of culinary delight!!
One of the best venison meals my wife has enjoyed. We will use leftovers for hash
This is the first time I cooked a venison neck roast. It was delicious!! We always used the neck meat for burger before. We will keep the neck next year and roast again!!
I made this tonight and it was wonderful! I did omit the onion (I just didn’t have one) and used Balsamic Vinegar for 1/4 of the liquid; otherwise, no change. My poor little venison neck was quite small, so the end result left me longing for more! I served it over egg noodles with the juice drizzled on top. Even my picky 8 year old gave it a thumbs up and he isn’t crazy about any meat that isn’t chicken! Thank you so much!
This worked out great! I had it on low in the crock pot from 10pm to 8am. I added a little cayenne pepper, paprika and a little apple cider vinegar as well. In the morning, the meat fell right off the bones! I took as much fat off as possible (I think if anything that’s the gamiest tasting part). Then I added our favorite bbq sauce (not too much), put it in the fridge and heated it on the stove at suppertime. We ate it with tacos/wraps and all kinds of fresh veggies, guacamole, hot sauce and sour cream (just like ulled pork tacos). So good! (not gamey 🙂
Trying this in the crockpot tomorrow!
Can you also share the recipe for the breaded venison steaks? We’ve got so many but I don’t know the best way to cook them!
Sure Amanda – Here’s my Grain-Free Breaded Venison Recipe
Just put mine in too! I never would have thought to cook the neck. I’m a Deer newby too tho.
Thank you
This is my first time cooking a neck and I’m hoping it comes out really good. We never kept it before last year so it will definitely be something different. Thanks for the recipe and tips!!
I can’t wait to hear what you think! It’s one of our favorite ways to enjoy venison.
My neck roast is going in the crockpot this morning. First time cooking a venison neck roast, I can’t wait. Thank you.
I’m thawing a neck roast out to cook one for the first time,oh boy