Wild venison is a naturally lean red meat: low in fat, high in protein and high in vitamin B12. Ours comes from Forestry England woodland across the South West and is butchered and packed by our own team at Elston Farm in Devon, then delivered frozen to your door.
- 23g protein per 100g (raw) – high in protein
- 2.4g fat per 100g – naturally low in fat and saturated fat
- High in vitamin B12, and a source of iron and zinc
- Wild, not farmed – from Forestry England woodland in the South West
- Taken with non-lead ammunition
- Butchered at Elston Farm, Devon by M C Kelly, butchers to South West restaurants and pubs for over 65 years
- Delivered frozen, next day, to most of mainland UK
Venison nutrition: what’s in 100g
Venison is one of the simplest ways to add lean protein to everyday meals. Here are typical values for raw venison:
| Typical values | Per 100g (raw) |
|---|---|
| Energy | 480kJ / 114kcal |
| Fat | 2.4g |
| of which saturates | 1.0g |
| Carbohydrate | 0g |
| of which sugars | 0g |
| Protein | 23g |
| Salt | 0.13g |
| Vitamin B12 | 6.3µg (252% RI*) |
| Iron | 3.4mg (24% RI*) |
| Zinc | 2.1mg (21% RI*) |
*RI = reference intake of an average adult. Typical values for raw venison, based on published food composition data; natural variation between animals and cuts is normal.
A 500g pack of venison mince or diced venison gives you around 115g of protein. A typical 125g raw portion provides around 29g.
What those nutrients do
- Protein contributes to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass.
- Vitamin B12 contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
- Iron contributes to the normal formation of red blood cells and haemoglobin.
- Zinc contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
Enjoy as part of a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
Where our venison comes from
Our venison is wild deer from Forestry England woodland across the South West of England. With no natural predators, deer numbers have to be managed to protect young trees, woodland flowers and the wildlife that depends on them. Forestry England’s professional deer managers do that work, and they use non-lead ammunition.
The venison then comes to us at Elston Farm in Copplestone, mid-Devon. M C Kelly is an approved game handling establishment and has been butchering meat for restaurants and pubs across the South West for over 65 years. Our butchers prepare every cut by hand, vacuum pack it and freeze it, so it reaches you in the same condition it left us.
Which venison cut should I choose?
| Cut | Best for | How to cook |
|---|---|---|
| Wild venison mince (500g) | Bolognese, chilli, cottage pie, burgers, meatballs | Brown in a little oil, then cook until piping hot with no pink left |
| Diced wild venison (500g) | Casseroles, stews, pies, curries | Brown in batches, then cook slowly with liquid for about 2–2½ hours until tender |
| Wild venison loin steak | Special dinners, quick midweek meals | Very hot pan, about 2 minutes each side, rest 5 minutes, serve pink |
| Wild venison haunch rump steaks (2) | Steak night, salads, stir-fries | Sear hot and fast, rest, then slice thinly across the grain |
| Boneless wild venison haunch joint | Sunday roast, entertaining | Sear, roast until pink in the middle, rest for 15 minutes before carving |
| Venison, juniper & black pepper sausages (1kg) | Sausage and mash, casseroles, the barbecue | Cook gently until browned and cooked through |
Three rules for cooking lean meat
- Add a little fat. Venison has very little of its own, so start with a splash of oil or a knob of butter.
- Don’t overcook steaks and joints. Whole cuts are at their best served pink; cooked well done they can turn dry.
- Rest it. Five minutes for steaks and fifteen for a joint keeps the juices in the meat rather than on the board.
Venison questions, answered
Is venison high in protein?
Yes. Raw venison typically contains about 23g of protein per 100g, which makes it high in protein. A 500g pack of our venison mince or diced venison provides around 115g of protein, and a 125g raw portion around 29g. Protein contributes to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass.
Is venison low in fat?
Yes. Venison is a naturally lean red meat: typically about 2.4g of fat and 1.0g of saturates per 100g raw, so it is low in fat and low in saturated fat. Because it is so lean, cook it with a little oil and take care not to overcook steaks and joints.
Is venison good for you?
Venison is high in protein, low in fat and saturated fat, high in vitamin B12 and a source of iron and zinc. Vitamin B12 contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, iron contributes to the normal formation of red blood cells and haemoglobin, and zinc contributes to the normal function of the immune system. Enjoy it as part of a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
Where does your venison come from?
Our venison is wild deer from Forestry England woodland across the South West of England. Forestry England manages deer numbers to protect young trees and woodland habitats, and the venison comes to M C Kelly, an approved game handling establishment at Elston Farm in Copplestone, Devon, where our butchers prepare, vacuum pack and freeze it.
Is your venison wild or farmed?
Wild. The deer live freely in woodland and are not farmed.
Is your venison shot with lead?
No. Forestry England requires non-lead ammunition for the deer managed on its land, so our venison is taken with non-lead ammunition.
Does venison taste gamey?
Wild venison has a rich, deep flavour, but it is milder than many people expect. Venison mince works in any recipe that uses mince, such as bolognese, chilli, cottage pie, burgers and meatballs.
How do I cook venison mince?
Brown it in a hot pan with a little oil, breaking it up as it cooks, then carry on with your recipe. As with any mince, cook it until it is steaming hot all the way through, with no pink meat left.
How do I cook a venison steak?
Bring the steak to room temperature, rub with a little oil and season. Sear in a very hot pan for about 2 minutes each side for a 2cm steak to serve it pink, then rest it for 5 minutes before slicing. Venison is very lean, so it is best served pink rather than well done.
Can I buy venison all year round?
Yes. Wild deer are managed through the year under the legal open seasons, and because we freeze our venison as soon as it is prepared, we can offer it all year.
How is the venison delivered?
Vacuum packed and frozen, in insulated packaging, by next-day courier to most of mainland UK. Defrost it in the fridge, use it within 24 hours of defrosting and do not refreeze it. See our delivery page for areas and charges.
About The Meat Box Company
The Meat Box Company is the online butcher’s shop of M C Kelly Ltd, a wholesale butcher based at Elston Farm, Copplestone, Devon. For over 65 years M C Kelly has supplied restaurants and pubs across the South West; through The Meat Box Company we deliver the same meat, frozen, to homes across mainland UK.