To cover with bacon or not, that is the question.

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barkerb

Newbie
Original poster
Jun 1, 2014
12
10
Buffalo, NY
Smoking a venison roast this weekend for the first time and considering wrapping the roast in bacon to baste the roast and prevent drying out. Also planning on stuffing with a few pieces to keep the inside moist. Concerned whether the bacon wrap will impede the smoke penetration in the meat significantly or if it will still be prominent. Thanks for the advice.
 
I'm not a fan of venison bacon sounds like a great plan! I've done different things bacon wrapped and they have all tasted smokey but it may have been just the bacon. I say try it what could it hurt not sure I would stuff it maybe wrap this time and if you think it needs it stuff and wrap next time,that will be two cents please.:biggrin:
 
Barkers, when I smoke venison roasts I brine in a homemade brine for at least 12 hours, but do not wrap in bacon. Tried that method once, and found it to be a waste of good bacon without adding any benefit to the venison. Smoke penetration was impeded. Also, i have not had a problem with the meat not staying moist. The outside does dry out some, but moist inside. To me it is more important to not run your IT too high. I go to 145 only, but I also do my own butchering so I am comfortable with that temp. Medium rare is way better than over done. Good luck my friend.
 
Barkers, when I smoke venison roasts I brine in a homemade brine for at least 12 hours, but do not wrap in bacon. Tried that method once, and found it to be a waste of good bacon without adding any benefit to the venison. Smoke penetration was impeded. Also, i have not had a problem with the meat not staying moist. The outside does dry out some, but moist inside. To me it is more important to not run your IT too high. I go to 145 only, but I also do my own butchering so I am comfortable with that temp. Medium rare is way better than over done. Good luck my friend.
Thanks for the advice. Any brine recipes you can recommend?
 
Here is one I have used a few times and had trouble keeping it long enough to enjoy more than a day or so, course with a teenage boy in the house not much of any food lasts much longer than dinner time.

1/3 cup salt
1/2 cup Brown sugar
1/4 cup molasses
4 cloves garlic-smashed ( or sub 1 1/2 Tbs minced)
1 lemon - sliced, squeeze and add all (or sub some bottled lemon juice)
2 Bay leaves
1 tsp thyme
1 1/2 Tbs black pepper
1/4 cup Worchestershire Sauce
1 large onion - chopped ( I have subbed onion powder, but better with whole)

Mix all together in large zip lock bag, add venison roast, add water to cover. Seal well, shake well to mix. Brine for minimum 12 hrs, shaking bag periodically. You may even want to inject using the brine during the brining period.

Good luck, barkerb. I hope this helps, and I hope your venison turns out great.

Mark
 
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Here is one I have used a few times and had trouble keeping it long enough to enjoy more than a day or so, course with a teenage boy in the house not much of any food lasts much longer than dinner time.

1/3 cup salt
1/2 cup Brown sugar
1/4 cup molasses
4 cloves garlic-smashed ( or sub 1 1/2 Tbs minced)
1 lemon - sliced, squeeze and add all (or sub some bottled lemon juice)
2 Bay leaves
1 tsp thyme
1 1/2 Tbs black pepper
1/4 cup Worchestershire Sauce
1 large onion - chopped ( I have subbed onion powder, but better with whole)

Mix all together in large zip lock bag, add venison roast, add water to cover. Seal well, shake well to mix. Brine for minimum 12 hrs, shaking bag periodically. You may even want to inject using the brine during the brining period.

Good luck, barkerb. I hope this helps, and I hope your venison turns out great.

Mark

Thanks Mark! I'll let you know if we have success.
 
I'm with klutz on this. Dont wrap with bacon. I smoke my ven roasts at 210-220*. Lower temps keeps the outside from drying out.
 
Results: Went with klutzy's brine, smoked to 145 internal spritzing with apple cider vinegar every so often, let it rest for over an hour and the roast was excellent!  Not at all dry and it was beautifully medium rare on the inside.  I think I need to mess with my rub a bit as it was a bit peppery but that's on me.  Thanks for the advice!
 
That sounds so good. Do you think that would make a good chili? I am looking for something like that.
 
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