Venison Meatballs with Spiced Salad (Printable Version)

Spiced venison meatballs paired with vibrant salad and creamy hummus for a balanced Mediterranean-inspired meal.

# Needed Ingredients:

→ Venison Meatballs

01 - 1 lb 2 oz ground venison
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 1 large egg
05 - 1.4 oz breadcrumbs
06 - 1 tsp ground cumin
07 - 1 tsp ground coriander
08 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
09 - ½ tsp ground cinnamon
10 - ½ tsp salt
11 - ¼ tsp black pepper
12 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
13 - 2 tbsp olive oil for frying

→ Salad

14 - 3.5 oz mixed salad greens
15 - 1 small cucumber, diced
16 - 10 cherry tomatoes, halved
17 - ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
18 - 2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
19 - Juice of ½ lemon
20 - 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
21 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Hummus

22 - 8.8 oz cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed
23 - 2 tbsp tahini
24 - 1 garlic clove
25 - Juice of 1 lemon
26 - 2 tbsp olive oil
27 - 3–4 tbsp cold water
28 - ½ tsp ground cumin
29 - Salt to taste

# Steps:

01 - In a large bowl, combine ground venison, onion, garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, salt, pepper, and parsley. Mix until just combined without overworking the meat.
02 - Shape the mixture into 16 meatballs, approximately 1 oz each.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook for 8–10 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Set aside and keep warm.
04 - In a food processor, combine chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, cumin, and salt. Blend until smooth, adding cold water gradually to achieve a creamy consistency. Adjust seasoning to taste.
05 - In a large bowl, toss salad greens, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and mint. Drizzle with lemon juice and olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss again.
06 - Spread a generous spoonful of hummus on each plate. Add a portion of salad, top with meatballs, and garnish with extra parsley or mint if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The venison stays incredibly tender because the spices and egg keep everything moist without being heavy.
  • You get protein, crunch, and creaminess all on one plate, so it feels complete without needing sides.
  • The warm spices make your kitchen smell like a Mediterranean market in the best way.
  • Its easy to prep ahead and assemble quickly when youre ready to eat.
02 -
  • Dont skip wetting your hands before shaping the meatballs, it makes the process so much smoother and prevents sticking.
  • Venison cooks faster than beef, so keep an eye on the meatballs to avoid drying them out.
  • Add the water to the hummus slowly, you can always add more but you cant take it back once its too thin.
  • Let the meatballs rest for a minute after cooking so the juices redistribute and they stay moist when you bite in.
03 -
  • Toast the cumin and coriander in a dry skillet for 30 seconds before adding them to the meat, it wakes up the oils and makes the flavor more vibrant.
  • Use a small ice cream scoop to portion the meatballs evenly so they cook at the same rate.
  • Make the hummus a day ahead and let it sit in the fridge, the flavors meld and it tastes even better the next day.
  • If the meatballs start to brown too quickly, lower the heat and cover the skillet for the last few minutes to cook them through gently.
Go Back