Grilled Nebraska Venison Steaks with Juniper Berry Marinade
Tender venison steaks marinated in a fragrant juniper berry and garlic mixture, then grilled to perfection for a smoky, gamey flavor. This American-inspired grilling recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs venison steaks, olive oil, juniper berries for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 steaks, about 6 oz each venison steaks
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp, crushed juniper berries
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons crushed juniper berries, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Stir well to create the marinade.
- Step 2: Place 4 venison steaks (about 6 oz each) in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them, turning to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight, to allow flavors to infuse.
- Step 3: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, about 400°F. Remove the venison steaks from the marinade and pat dry with paper towels to promote searing.
- Step 4: Grill the steaks for 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare, or until an internal temperature of 130°F is reached. Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.








