Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground venison
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ cup water or beef broth
Optional Additions
- ½ lb ground pork or breakfast sausage mixed with the venison for extra richness
- Sliced jalapeños for heat
- Pepper jack cheese
Directions
Step 1: Smoke the Meat
Preheat your smoker to 225°F.
Place the ground venison into a cast iron skillet, foil pan, or smoker-safe pan.
Smoke for approximately 45 minutes, stirring once or twice during cooking, until the meat begins to brown.
Step 2: Add the Vegetables
Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic to the pan.
Continue smoking for 20–30 minutes, or until the vegetables begin to soften.
Step 3: Build the Sauce
Add the following ingredients directly to the pan:
- Ketchup
- Tomato paste
- Brown sugar
- Yellow mustard
- Worcestershire sauce
- Apple cider vinegar
- Smoked paprika
- Chili powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Water or beef broth
Stir thoroughly until everything is evenly combined.
Step 4: Finish the Sloppy Does
Increase the smoker temperature to 250°F.
Continue cooking for 45–60 minutes, stirring occasionally.
The sauce should thicken and develop a rich smoky flavor while coating the meat perfectly.
If the mixture becomes too thick, add a small splash of water or broth.
Serving Suggestions
Pile the smoked venison mixture onto:
- Toasted brioche buns
- Texas toast
- Pretzel buns
- Smoked baked potatoes
- Crispy french fries topped with melted cheese
For extra flavor, top with pepper jack cheese, sliced jalapeños, or a drizzle of your favorite BBQ sauce.
TaggedOut Tip
Adding a little ground pork or breakfast sausage to the venison helps create a richer, juicier final product while still letting the wild game flavor shine through. The extra fat also absorbs more smoke during the cooking process.
Whether you're cooking for the family, serving guests at camp, or looking for a new way to enjoy ground venison, these Smoked Sloppy Does deliver big flavor with very little effort. One bite and you'll understand why this recipe deserves a permanent spot in your wild game recipe collection.
