Venison is the meat of a deer. The word venison can be used to refer to any part of the deer, so long as it can be consumed, including the flesh and internal organs. Venison, is very much like beef, is categorized into specific cuts, including roast, sirloin, and ribs. Venison originally described meat of any game animal harvested by

hunting, and was applied to any animal from the families Cervidae (deer), Leporidae (hares), and Suidae (wild pigs). Venison may be eaten as steaks, tenderloin, roasts, sausages, jerky and minced meat. It has a flavor which is very similar to beef, but it is much richer and can have a gamey note. Venison tends to have a finer texture and is much leaner than comparable cuts of beef. But at the same time, leaner cuts can be tougher as well.

Organ meats of deer are eaten, but would not be called venison. Rather, they are called umbles (originally noumbles). This is supposedly the

origins of the phrase "humble pie", literally a pie made from the organs of the deer. Venison is higher in moisture, similar in protein and lower in calories, cholesterol and fat than most cuts of grain-fed beef, pork, or lamb.Venison jerky can be purchased in some grocery stores or ordered online, and is served on some airlines.

Venison burgers are usually so lean as to require the addition of fat in the form of bacon, olive oil or cheese, or blending with beef, to achieve parity with hamburger cooking time, texture, and taste.

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