How Much Does Venison Cost per Pound?
Venison is quite popular since it has a very rich flavor that is not found in other types of regular meat. The price of venison depends on the type of cut, the butcher, time of year and the geographical location.
How much does venison cost?
The price of venison, on average, can range anywhere from $5 to $40+ per pound if purchased from a local butcher or game farm. Like any meat purchase, the cost will depend on the cut and butcher. Refer to our table below to see what most popular venison cuts can cost you on average.
According to this NaturalThrifty.com post, she was able to purchase 26.4 of grounded up deer meat for a total cost of $1.04 per pound and was able to split it with her mom.
| Type of Cut (what you should expect in package) | Average Price (per pound) |
|---|---|
| Back Ribs (3 to 5 pound) | $2 to $5 |
| Short Ribs (3 to 5 pounds) | $2 to $5 |
| Ground Meat (1 pound) | $6 to $10 |
| Deer Jerky (four ounce bag) | $7 to 12 |
| Summer Sausage (1 pound) | $7 to $12 |
| Deer Bologna (1 pound) | $7 to $14 |
| Stew Meat (one pound) | $7 to $15 |
| Skirt Steaks (0.5 pounds) | $8 to $12 |
| Shoulder Roast (5 pounds) | $8 to $15 |
| Half Carcass (10 to 25 pounds) | $10 to $15 |
| Kabobs (2 pounds) | $10 to $15 |
| Deer Brisket (1 pound) | $10 to $15 |
| Whole Leg | $10 to $15 |
| Fajita Strips (5 to 10 pounds) | $10 to $17 |
| Sirloin Butt Roast (1 pound) | $10 to $17 |
| Flatiron Steaks (0.5 pounds) | $12 to $17 |
| Flank Steaks (1 to 2 pounds) | $15 to $22 |
| Steak Medallions (0.5 pounds) | $15 to $22 |
| Whole Loin (1 to 3 pounds each) | $20 to $28 |
| French Rack (1 to 2 pounds) | $20 to $30 |
| Loin Chops (0.5 pound each on average) | $22 to $30 |
| Whole Tenderloin (1 pound each) | $40 to $50 |
Venison overview
Venison is either going to be found at local butchers who specialize in game animals or online. Depending on the butcher, the venison may either be farmed or wild. If wild, it will be a truly wild deer that was able to roam free, either hunted by the company or sold from someone else’s hunt. If it were farmed, then it will be raised in a larger fenced in the environment, similar to the cattle you see on larger farms. Depending on the state and regulations, certain rules will have to be followed in order to be sold. For example, Broken Arrow Ranch says the deer on their farm must be at least three years old, naturally raised, able to graze freely in natural conditions and no growth hormones or steroids may be administered.
Most butchers online, unless noted, will sell their product frozen that’s vacuum sealed and meets USDA standards.
Deer, according to OutdoorLife, will be leaner and will have a “wilder” taste than cattle. Three ounces of venison, according to the website, will contain 134 calories, 3 grams of total fat and 26 grams of protein. It also has advantages in riboflavin, iron, niacin and vitamin B6.
What are the extra costs?
If you purchase the venison online, most may charge a minimum shipping fee; however, it may be waived if you meet a certain spending requirement.
Tips to know
If ordering online, you may find that most will have a minimum order, usually two to 10 pounds at a time. Refer to the terms before committing to a purchase.
Venison vs beef
Venison, no matter where you purchase, it should always be natural and organic, even if purchased from a game farm. Beef, on the other hand, can be natural and organic; however, some companies may inject chemicals, hormones or even antibiotic injections.
When hunting, according to this GoodGameHunting.com infographic, the costs can be $0.95 per pound for 80 pounds of edible meat, whereas the average cost of beef can be $4.23 per pound, making venison 78 percent cheaper.
Venison, as we discussed above, will have less cholesterol and is very low in saturated fat, making it a leaner and wilder animal than cattle. It’s also rich in vitamins B6, B2, B3, B12 and iron. Compared to beef, it’s also higher in protein and has fewer calories, with venison having 134 calories per three ounces, while beef has 247. According to the Mayo Clinic, eating three ounces of either meat will pose no risk to your health.
One debate with venison, according to some experts, is the compound known as L-carnitine, which is found in both beef and venison. L-carnitine has been linked to heart disease because the human stomach will break down this compound to produce trimethylamine N-oxide, the compound linked to heart and artery damage.
According to taste tests, venison seems to win most of the time due to its better taste, safety regulations and because some choose it as an ethical choice.
Even though the cost of beef is on the rise, retail beef can often be purchased for as little as $1 per pound, making it much cheaper than venison.
How can I save money?
The more you purchase at once, the more you may be able to save. For example, a one-pound package of grounded meat could cost $8 per pound, but if you were to purchase a 10-pound package, you may only pay $6.50 per pound.
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