Made-from-Scratch Venison Sloppy Joes | Smoky & Spicy

Smoky, spicy, and packed with Southwestern flavor, these Made-from-Scratch Venison Sloppy Joes are a delicious way to use ground venison from a successful hunt. Made with ground venison, fresh peppers, sweet onion, and The Bearded Butchers Chipotle Blend, this recipe delivers big flavor without the overly sweet taste of canned sloppy joe sauce.

The secret to this recipe is the over-the-top smoking method. Instead of cooking the venison directly in the skillet, you smoke seasoned venison patties on the rack above the vegetables. As the meat smokes, the drippings fall into the skillet below, adding incredible smoky flavor to the sauce.

Finish everything with a smoky Southwestern BBQ sauce and a splash of Worcestershire sauce, then pile it onto toasted buns with cheddar cheese, pickles, or pickled onions.

Whether you're looking for a new way to cook your wild game or simply want to make sloppy joes completely from scratch, this recipe is an easy, flavorful meal worth adding to your rotation.

Recipe Details

• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cook time: Approximately 1 hour
• Total time: Approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Servings: 6-8
• Cooking method: Smoker
• Smoker temperature: 200°F, then 300°F

Ingredients

For the Venison Sloppy Joes

• 2 pounds ground venison
• 2 tablespoons The Bearded Butcher Chipotle Blend, plus more to taste
• 1 tablespoon beef tallow
• ½ sweet onion, finely diced
• 1 poblano pepper, finely diced
• 1 jalapeño, finely diced (optional, for extra heat)
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 cup smoky Southwestern-style BBQ sauce
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• Beef stock, as needed to thin the sauce (optional)

For Serving

• Hamburger buns
• Cheddar cheese
• Pickles
• Pickled onions
• Your favorite sloppy joe toppings

How to Make Made-from-Scratch Venison Sloppy Joes

Step 1: Preheat the Smoker

Preheat your smoker to 200°F. Place a large, smoker-safe skillet on the smoker to preheat as well.

Step 2: Season the Venison

Place the ground venison in a large bowl and mix in The Bearded Butcher Chipotle Blend until evenly distributed.

Divide the meat into two large, loosely formed patties. Keeping the meat in larger patties makes it easier to smoke before breaking it apart for the sloppy joe filling.

Step 3: Start the Over-the-Top Smoke

Place the venison patties on the upper rack of the smoker, directly above the skillet. This is the over-the-top method, where the meat smokes above the pan and its drippings fall into the ingredients below.

Add the beef tallow, diced onion, poblano pepper, and jalapeño, if using, to the preheated skillet. Stir occasionally and allow the vegetables to soften while the venison smokes.

Smoke the patties until they develop a smoky flavor, about 30-45 minutes.

Step 4: Break Up the Venison

The Venison should not be fully cooked in this step, carefully remove the patties from the smoker and crumble them into the skillet with the softened vegetables.

Use a spatula or wooden spoon to break the meat into small pieces, creating the familiar texture of sloppy joe filling. Stir everything together so the venison, vegetables, and smoky drippings are evenly combined.

Step 5: Add the Tomato Paste

Stir in the tomato paste and let it cook for a minute or two. This helps deepen the flavor and gives the sauce a rich, savory base.

Step 6: Add the BBQ Sauce

Pour in the Southwestern-style BBQ sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Stir until the venison is thoroughly coated.

Taste the mixture and add more Chipotle Blend if you want a stronger smoky flavor or extra spice.

Step 7: Let the Flavors Come Together

Increase the smoker temperature to 300°F. Let the sloppy joe mixture simmer for another 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the flavors meld and the sauce reaches your desired consistency.

If the mixture becomes too thick, add a small splash of beef stock and stir to combine.

Step 8: Build Your Sloppy Joes

Spoon the hot venison mixture onto hamburger buns and finish with your favorite toppings. Cheddar cheese, crunchy pickles, and tangy pickled onions are especially delicious with the smoky Southwestern flavors.

Serve immediately and enjoy!

Make Your Own Southwestern BBQ Sauce

For an extra homemade touch, make your own smoky Southwestern BBQ sauce instead of using a store-bought variety. This sauce has a savory, tangy, smoky flavor with just enough sweetness to balance the heat.

You'll need:

• 1½ cups diced onion
• 1½ cups diced red bell pepper
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1½ cups apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon of The Bearded Butcher Chipotle Blend
• 1 tablespoon dry mustard
• 2 cups ketchup
• 2 cups chili sauce
• 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 3 tablespoons liquid smoke
• ½ cup molasses
• ½ cup dark brown sugar
• 1-2 tablespoons minced habanero pepper, or jalapeño for a milder sauce

Simplified BBQ Sauce Instructions

1. Cook the vegetables. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, red bell pepper, and garlic. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
2. Add the spices. Stir in the chili powder and dry mustard.
3. Add the remaining ingredients. Pour in the cider vinegar, ketchup, chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and liquid smoke. Stir in the molasses, brown sugar, and minced hot pepper.
4. Simmer. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1–2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the flavors develop.
5. Blend until smooth. Remove from the heat and let the sauce cool slightly. Carefully blend with an immersion blender or in batches using a blender until smooth.
6. Taste and adjust. Add more vinegar for tanginess or a little extra hot pepper for more heat, if desired.

Use 1 cup for this sloppy joe recipe and save the rest for burgers, smoked meats, or your next BBQ meal. Keep refrigerated and use within a few days, or freeze for longer storage. For shelf-stable storage, use a tested canning recipe and follow its processing instructions.

Shortcut: If you don't have time to make your own sauce, use your favorite smoky Southwestern BBQ sauce or a Sonoran-style BBQ sauce.

Tips for the Best Venison Sloppy Joes

• Don't skip the smoking step. Smoking the venison above the skillet adds another layer of flavor that you won't get from simply browning the meat on the stovetop
• Adjust the heat to your liking. Leave out the jalapeño for a milder meal, or add extra Chipotle Blend for more smoky heat.
• Choose a savory BBQ sauce. A smoky, tangy Southwestern sauce complements venison without making the sloppy joes overly sweet.
• Thin the sauce if needed. A little beef stock helps loosen the mixture while keeping it moist and spoonable.
• Toast the buns. Lightly toasted buns hold up better to the hearty filling and add a delicious bit of texture.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• A great way to use ground venison: Put the harvest from your hunt to good use with a hearty, family-friendly meal.
• Smoky Southwestern flavor: Chipotle seasoning, poblano peppers, and BBQ sauce bring a delicious balance of smoke, spice, and tang.
• Not overly sweet: Unlike many canned sloppy joe sauces, this homemade version lets the savory venison and smoky spices shine.
• Made from scratch: Fresh vegetables, quality seasoning, and your favorite Southwestern BBQ sauce create a homemade meal with plenty of flavor.
• Easy over-the-top smoking method: Smoking the venison above the skillet allows the drippings to flavor the vegetables and sauce as everything cooks.