Ground Venison Tacos with Avocado Lime Crema

Tacos are one of my favorite weeknight meals! Piled high with all the toppings and my avocado lime crema, these tacos are extra delicious! One thing I really love about this recipe is that the taco seasoned ground venison is so versatile and can be used to make more than just tacos. Try it with burritos, tostadas, taco salads, taco bowls, or even used to make breakfast tacos or omelettes!

The perfect blend of spices and a touch of acidity from fresh limes and apple cider vinegar help to balance out the rich flavor of venison that is often referred to as gamey. The whole family will loves these tacos!

This is a great recipe when you need to get dinner on the table quick. Even better, it's high protein and made with fresh and healthy ingredients.

Why you'll love my venison tacos

• Quick & easy. You'll have the most delicious venison tacos on the table in under 30 minutes! The avocado lime crema is also super simple to make in a food processor or blender and whips up in minutes while the meat cooks.
• Homemade seasoning blend. Homemade taco seasoning tastes so much better than store bought and is made with better-for-you ingredients.
• Made with fresh ingredients. Fresh onion, garlic, and lime juice add lots of bright flavor to the ground venison.

Ingredients + Notes

Scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredient list with measurements.

• Olive oil.
• Yellow onion. I like the sweeter taste of yellow onion, but you could substitute with a white or red onion.
• Ground venison. I make my venison tacos with deer meat, but any ground venison will work!
• Garlic.
• Tomato paste. This adds another level of flavor and helps the spices coat the ground venison.
• Chili powder.
• Cumin.
• Smoked paprika. If you don't have smoked paprika, regular paprika will work.
• Dried oregano.
• Salt.
• Water.
• Lime juice. Fresh lime juice is best.
• Apple cider vinegar. The acidity helps brighten up the flavors and pairs well with venison.
• Honey. Adds just a touch of sweetness to balance out the spices.
• Corn or flour tortillas. Both are great options! It's really a personal preference. If you like flour tortillas, I recommend trying ready to cook flour tortillas!

How to make ground venison tacos

Venison tacos are a quick and easy dinner that the whole family will love. They come together in under 30 minutes, making them a great weeknight staple. Here's an overview with helpful tips.

Scroll down to the recipe card for the full instructions.

• Step 1: Sauté the onion & brown the meat. Start by cooking the onion until soft, about 2-3 minutes, then add in the ground beef and cook until browned all over.
• Step 2: Season the meat. Add in garlic, tomato paste, and an easy homemade taco seasoning, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, honey and water. Scraping up the browned bits off the bottom of the skillet for extra flavor! The tomato paste adds another layer of flavor and creates a thicker sauce, helping the seasoning stick to the taco meat, and I know the addition of apple cider vinegar and honey may seem odd, but it nicely compliments the venison and balances out the spices and tomato paste.
• Step 3: Make the avocado lime crema. I like to do this while the venison cooks. It only takes a few minutes. Blend all the ingredients in a food processor or blender until smooth.
• Step 3: Serve and enjoy: My biggest recommendation when serving tacos is to warm the tortillas! I like to warm the tortillas over an open flame on my gas stove, but you can warm them in a skillet or even in the microwave.

Substitutions & variations

• Tomato sauce. Instead of tomato paste, you can substitute ½ cup of tomato sauce and skip the water.
• Serve with fajita veggies. In a separate skillet, sauté sliced yellow onion and bell peppers with oil until soft.
• Make burritos. Serve the venison taco meat in tortillas with rice and beans!
• Taco bowls. Ohhh man I love a taco bowl! Serve the meat over rice with beans, fajita veggies and your favorite taco toppings. Use tortilla chips for scooping!

Frequently asked questions

What is the best seasoning for deer meat?

Chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika and oregano come together to make the most flavorful ground venison taco meat.

Is venison better for you than beef?

Compared to beef, venison is lower in fat and higher in protein, making it a very healthy option.

Is venison taco meat gamey?

Gamey is often used to describe the bold, rich flavors of venison meat when compared to commercially raised beef. Even if you aren't a big fan of those unfamiliar flavors, I strongly believe that you'll still love my venison tacos!

My homemade taco seasoning with chili powder, cumin and smoked paprika along with acid from lime juice, apple cider vinegar, and tomato paste work together to brighten up the flavor of the venison, making it taste less gamey.

Why add tomato paste?

The tomato paste adds another layer of flavor and creates a thicker sauce, helping the seasoning stick to the taco meat. It's a game changer!

How to warm tortilla shells

You can use these methods for both corn and flour tortillas.

• Open flame on gas stove. Turn the burner on to medium-low heat or adjust the heat so that the flame is just smaller than your tortillas. Lay a tortilla over the open flame until it's lightly charred (keep a close on because it happens fast), then flip using tongs and char the other side.
• Skillet. Heat each tortilla in a skillet (no oil needed) until warm, about 20-30 seconds per side.
• Oven. Wrap a few tortillas in aluminum foil and place in an oven preheated to 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
• Microwave. Place a few tortillas between damp paper towels on a plate and microwave in 30 second increments until warm.

To keep the tortillas warm, lay the warm tortillas between damp paper towels on a plate and cover with a lid or tinfoil.

Helpful Tips

• Add extra olive oil as needed. Because venison is very lean, you may need to add extra oil to the skillet as it cooks.
• Warm the tortillas. Tacos are always best served with warm tortillas! See below to learn more about the different ways to warm tortillas.
• Make the avocado lime crema. It's incredibly easy to make and so worth it!

Make ahead

Venison taco meat is a great make ahead option for meal prep. Cook and season the meat following the directions in the recipe card, then store in the fridge and reheat with your favorite toppings.

Storing and reheating

• Refrigerator. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
• Freezer. Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.

If the meat is frozen, thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat on the stove in a skillet until warm, adding a little oil or water if needed. You can also reheat in the microwave.