Delicious air fryer venison steak bites featuring tender venison filet mignon bites and fresh portobello mushrooms cooked right in your air fryer in under 10 minutes. Enjoy two sauce options for an easy yet flavorsome meal!
This recipe was developed in partnership with The Honest Bison. All opinions are my own.
Hands down one of our favorite venison recipes! Juicy venison filet mignon cut into bite-sized pieces and cooked in the air fryer for a tender, juicy, and EASY dinner recipe. The “filet mignon” of venison is also known as the venison backstrap, which is a very tender cut of meat from the loin that follows the deer’s spine. There’s less connective tissue, therefore making it tender. It’s the perfect cut of meat for steak bites!
If you’re like us, the backstraps are the first cut of meat eaten up. But, luckily you can order venison filet mignon from The Honest Bison and keep your freezer stocked all year round!
Ingredients needed
Steak Bites:
- 9 oz The Honest Bison Venison Filet Mignon
- 4 oz portobello mushrooms
- ¼ cup Santa Maria seasoning
- ¼ cup olive oil
Creamy Horseradish Sauce:
- 1 cup sour cream
- ¼ cup prepared horseradish
- 1 Tbsp. dijon mustard
- 1 tsp. white wine vinegar
- ½ tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. pepper
- ½ tsp. worcestershire sauce
Garlic Butter Sauce:
- 10 Tbsp. unsalted butter – melted
- 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
- ¼ tsp. chopped parsley
- ¼ tsp. pepper
- 1 Tbsp. minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp. dijon mustard
How to make air fryer venison steak bites
- Cut the venison filet mignon into large chunks.
- Add the venison filet mignon chunks, mushrooms, Santa Maria seasoning, and olive oil to a large bowl and toss to coat.
- Combine the sauce ingredients and set aside until ready to serve. Choose one or both, whichever is preferred.
- Transfer the steak and mushrooms to the air fryer basket.
- Cook in the air fryer at 400 degrees F. for 5-7 minutes or until the venison filet mignon reaches an internal medium-rare temperature of 135 degrees F.
- Remove the venison steak and mushrooms from the air fryer and serve immediately with your sauce(s) of choice.
Recipe FAQs and Variations
Where is the filet mignon on a deer?
The “filet mignon” of venison is also known as the venison backstrap, which is a very tender cut of meat from the loin that follows the deer’s spine. There’s less connective tissue, therefore making it tender.
What cut of meat is the backstrap?
The backstrap is the loin that runs along the deer’s spine. Underneath the loin is a very tender meat, known as the filet mignon of deer.
What is the best way to cook deer backstrap or filet mignon?
Lightly oil and season the meat and cook to just on the medium rare side. This usually only requires 4-6 minutes of cooking time and you can either grill, broil, pan sear, or even cook in the air fryer and reach the desired level of tenderness.
Recipe Variations
- Choose your own sauce option or use the two provided.
- Be sure not to overcook.
- If you do not have access to Santa Maria seasoning, use a basic steak seasoning or coarse salt & pepper.
- Omit the mushrooms, if preferred.
Recommended kitchen resources for this recipe
Primal Pioneer participates in the Amazon affiliate program. Please see my affiliate disclaimer. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Enjoy these other venison recipes!
- Venison Stuffed Shells – the flavors in this dish are out of this world delicious!
- Venison Taco Ring – a wild game twist on this popular recipe
- Venison Philly Cheesesteak Sliders – the perfect party appetizer
- Venison Stuffed Jalapeño Peppers – another wild game party app!
Air Fryer Venison Steak Bites Recipe
Air Fryer Venison Steak Bites
Delicious air fryer venison steak bites featuring tender venison filet mignon bites and fresh portobello mushrooms cooked right in your air fryer in under 10 minutes.
Ingredients
- Venison Steak Bites:
- 9 oz The Honest Bison Venison Filet Mignon
- 4 oz portobello mushrooms
- ¼ cup Santa Maria seasoning
- ¼ cup olive oil
- Creamy Horseradish Sauce:
- 1 cup sour cream
- ¼ cup prepared horseradish
- 1 Tbsp. dijon mustard
- 1 tsp. White wine vinegar
- ½ tsp. Salt
- ½ tsp. Pepper
- ½ tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- Garlic Butter Sauce:
- 10 Tbsp. unsalted butter - melted
- 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
- ¼ tsp. Chopped parsley
- ¼ tsp. Pepper
- 1 Tbsp. minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp. dijon mustard
Instructions
- Cut the venison filet mignon into large chunks.
- Add the venison filet mignon chunks, mushrooms, Santa Maria seasoning, and olive oil to a large bowl and toss to coat.
- Combine the sauce ingredients and set aside until ready to serve. Choose one or both, whichever is preferred.
- Transfer the steak and mushrooms to the air fryer basket.
- Cook in the air fryer at 400 degrees F. for 5-7 minutes or until the venison filet mignon reaches an internal medium-rare temperature of 135 degrees F.
- Remove the venison steak and mushrooms from the air fryer and serve immediately with your sauce(s) of choice.
Notes
- Choose your own sauce option or use the two provided.
- Be sure not to overcook.
- If you do not have access to Santa Maria seasoning, use a basic steak seasoning or coarse salt & pepper.
- Omit the mushrooms, if preferred.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 3 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 390Total Fat: 20gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 90mgCarbohydrates: 3gSugar: 1.5gProtein: 29g
The recipes included on this website are written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist or medical professional, and the nutritional data on this site have not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist, registered dietician, or other medical professionals.
Primal Pioneer is a food blog and public land hunting resource by Mike and Jennifer Shreckengost. We’re a husband and wife team who combined their two passions – a love of the outdoors and food – into a joint effort with Primal Pioneer! You’ll find resources on planning and executing your own DIY over-the-counter public land big game hunt, along with wild game recipes featuring mostly venison and elk.
5 stars for me!!- I always looking for different recipes to use our backstrap with, this one is a keeper!!