How do you cut the backstrap of a deer?
Backstraps are large muscles found on the exterior of the deer and parallel to the spine. Start removing them by making a cross-section cut just above the rear hips. Then, run your filet knife down the length of the spine until you reach the base of the neck. Run another parallel cut along the tops of the ribs.
How thick do you cut backstrap?
Larger steaks from the backstrap, cut at least an inch thick (two inches is better), can be cooked just like a beef steak. Oh, and should you be lucky enough to get such an animal, keep the fat.
Is tenderloin and backstrap the same?
For the record, backstrap refers to a length of loin on the back of a deer, elk, moose, etc. It’s the ribeye in beef and loin in pork. Tenderloins are the two strips of very tender meat under the loin, behind the ribs. This is filet mignon in beef.
How many back straps does a deer have?
If you’re new to deer processing, you can expect to find two primary backstraps when butchering your whitetail. It helps greatly to have a second person stand on the belly side of the hanging carcass and simply hold it firmly. This keeps the animal from “spinning” and allows boning to go more quickly and safely.
Do you cut backstrap against the grain?
It is important that you understand that slicing a hunk of meat out of a venison hindquarter across the grain will make for a much more tender piece of meat. Slice it with grain and the same piece of meat will be much more chewy.
How do you take the gamey taste out of deer meat?
In The Kitchen Prior to cooking, soak your venison steaks overnight in buttermilk. This will help pull the blood out of the meat and remove some of that gamy taste. You can make buttermilk simply by adding vinegar to regular milk from the carton. Simple as that.
What is butterfly cut of deer meat?
To butterfly a venison loin or other meat is simply to cut it most of the way through, spread it out, and then pound it flat. Trussing is a method of holding a rolled, stuffed piece of meat together during cooking.