Indulge in a Festive Feast: Bacon-Wrapped Venison with Rosemary, Green Beans, and Creamy Mash

Prepare to impress your guests this holiday season with a truly spectacular main course: succulent deer steak infused with fresh rosemary, exquisitely wrapped in crispy bacon. Served alongside vibrant green beans, also wrapped in savory bacon, and a generous helping of creamy mashed potatoes brightened with spring onions, this dish promises a Christmas dinner experience like no other.

When you’re looking to serve something truly exceptional, something that will be remembered long after the last bite, this elegant main course featuring delicious venison skewers is an outstanding choice. The tender deer beef, enhanced with aromatic rosemary and wrapped in smoky bacon, creates a symphony of flavors that is both sophisticated and comforting. What’s more, this recipe is incredibly adaptable, allowing for much of the preparation to be done in advance, ensuring a stress-free experience when it’s time to gather around the table. The cooking process itself is surprisingly quick, making it perfect for busy holiday schedules.

This magnificent venison dish is perfectly complemented by two delightful side dishes: fresh green beans, bundled with garlic butter and bacon, and a rich, creamy mashed potato featuring a delicate crunch from finely sliced spring onions. This combination results in an easy-to-follow, yet undeniably elegant meal. It’s an ideal choice for a grand Christmas dinner, a New Year’s Eve celebration, or any special dinner party where you want to make a lasting impression. Alongside other festive favorites like Baked Ham with Cumberland Sauce and Chicken Breast with Orange Thyme Sauce, this venison main stands out as a personal highlight, offering a unique and luxurious alternative to traditional holiday roasts.

Why Choose Venison for Your Holiday Dinner?

Venison, or deer meat, is often overlooked but provides a fantastic alternative to more common holiday proteins like turkey or ham. It’s lean, rich in flavor, and when cooked properly, incredibly tender. Its distinct, slightly gamey taste pairs wonderfully with earthy herbs like rosemary and the saltiness of bacon, creating a complex and satisfying palate. Opting for venison elevates your Christmas dinner from ordinary to extraordinary, offering guests a gourmet experience they won’t soon forget. Plus, it’s a healthier red meat option, being lower in fat and cholesterol compared to beef.

Crafting the Perfect Christmas Dinner Experience

Creating a memorable Christmas dinner is about more than just the main course; it’s about the entire culinary journey. I’ve enjoyed sharing a diverse collection of recipes designed to build a truly spectacular holiday menu. We started the festive journey with an elegant amuse-bouche of duck breast fillet with cranberry and arugula, setting a sophisticated tone. This was followed by a delightful entrée of smoked chicken and avocado stack—a recipe I genuinely urge you to try for its refreshing flavors and elegant presentation! To warm the soul, we had a creamy broccoli cappuccino soup. And just before the main event, a vibrant pomegranate spoom to cleanse the palate and refresh the senses. Today, we present the star of the show: the exquisite deer beef on rosemary skewers, accompanied by fresh green beans with herb butter and bacon, and fluffy mashed potatoes. And to conclude this festive symphony, a decadent three chocolate mousse recipe, promising a sweet and satisfying finish.

Effortless Elegance: A Make-Ahead Christmas Dinner

The beauty of this Christmas dinner menu, and particularly this venison main dish, lies in its flexibility and ease of preparation. It’s a delicious and elegant meal that can largely be prepared in advance, significantly reducing stress on the big day. Imagine enjoying the festive atmosphere, knowing that much of your culinary work is already done! This approach allows you to spend more precious time with family and friends, rather than being confined to the kitchen. As the holiday season progresses and all the Christmas dinner recipes are unveiled, rest assured that a comprehensive wrap-up will be provided. This will include a detailed grocery list and a precise timetable, ensuring every element of your festive feast comes together seamlessly. But for now, let’s dive into the specifics of this incredible venison recipe.

The Art of the Dish: Deconstructing the Flavors

Bacon-Wrapped Rosemary Venison Steaks: A Culinary Masterpiece

The star of our Christmas dinner, the venison steak, is prepared in a way that maximizes both flavor and tenderness. By cutting the deer steak into cubes and wrapping each piece with a thin slice of bacon, we introduce a layer of rich, smoky flavor and prevent the lean venison from drying out during cooking. The addition of fresh rosemary sprigs as skewers not only infuses the meat with its fragrant, piney notes but also makes for a beautiful, rustic presentation. When seared quickly, the bacon becomes deliciously crisp, while the venison remains wonderfully tender and juicy, cooked to a perfect medium-rare or medium, depending on your preference. This method ensures every bite is bursting with taste and texture, making it a truly gourmet experience for your holiday table.

Green Beans with Garlic Butter & Bacon: A Perfect Pairing

These aren’t just any green beans; they are a delightful ensemble of fresh, crisp beans, rich garlic butter, and savory bacon. The green beans are first blanched to retain their vibrant color and slight crunch, then nestled with a dollop of fragrant garlic butter and wrapped in a slice of bacon. This creates individual bundles of deliciousness that are then baked until the bacon is perfectly rendered and crispy. The garlic butter melts into the beans, adding depth and a lovely aroma, while the bacon provides a salty, irresistible crunch. They are then tied with chives for an extra touch of elegance and fresh flavor, turning a simple vegetable into an exciting side dish that complements the venison beautifully.

Creamy Mashed Potatoes with Fresh Spring Onions: A Comforting Classic

No elegant dinner is complete without the ultimate comfort food: mashed potatoes. Our version elevates this classic with the addition of fresh spring onions, adding a delicate, mild onion flavor and a touch of freshness that cuts through the richness of the main course. Using floury potatoes ensures a wonderfully fluffy and creamy texture, while a touch of warm milk and butter makes them incredibly smooth and decadent. The spring onions are stirred in at the end, providing a subtle aromatic lift and a hint of green. Seasoned simply with salt and pepper, these mashed potatoes are the ideal canvas to soak up all the delicious flavors of the venison and green beans, creating a harmonious and utterly satisfying plate.

Expert Tips for a Flawless Holiday Meal

Choosing Your Ingredients

• Venison: Look for high-quality deer steak (often called venison loin or tenderloin) from a reputable butcher. Wild venison can be tougher, so farm-raised is often preferred for tenderness.
• Bacon: Thinly sliced streaky bacon works best for wrapping, as it cooks up crispy and adheres well.
• Rosemary: Fresh rosemary is essential for its potent aroma and flavor. Choose sprigs with firm, green needles.
• Potatoes: Floury potatoes like Russet, Maris Piper, or King Edward are ideal for mashing, giving you that wonderfully creamy texture.
• Green Beans: Fresh, crisp green beans are key. Avoid any that are limp or discolored.

Make-Ahead Mastery

To truly embrace the stress-free aspect of this recipe, here’s how you can prepare ahead:

• Venison Skewers: Assemble the bacon-wrapped venison skewers with rosemary up to 24 hours in advance. Store them covered in the refrigerator. Just before serving, sear them.
• Green Beans: Blanch the green beans a day ahead and cool them immediately in ice water. Drain thoroughly and store in the fridge. You can even assemble the bacon-wrapped bundles with garlic butter and chives in advance, ready to bake.
• Mashed Potatoes: Prepare the mashed potatoes entirely a day before. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk or in the oven, stirring occasionally, before adding the fresh spring onions.

Cooking Perfection

• Venison: Venison cooks quickly due to its leanness. Be careful not to overcook it, as it can become dry. Aim for a medium-rare to medium internal temperature (around 130-140°F / 54-60°C). Rest the meat after cooking to keep it juicy.
• Bacon: Ensure your oven is preheated to the correct temperature for the green beans so the bacon crisps up nicely without burning the beans.
• Mashed Potatoes: Don’t over-mash your potatoes, as this can make them gluey. Mash just enough until smooth. Adjust milk and butter amounts to reach your desired creaminess.

📖 Recipe