How to Cook Venison Inside Loin

By: Fred Decker

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Whether from a farm-raised yearling or a wild-caught trophy buck, the tenderest cut of all venison is its tenderloin. Sometimes called the "inside loin" because of its position inside the body cavity and under the spine, it's a small oblong muscle about the same size and shape as a pork tenderloin. It's remarkably tender even in a mature animal and lean even by venison standards. It's best when cooked to no more than medium-rare, either as a whole tenderloin or as medallions.

Preparing the Tenderloin

Step 1

Lay the tenderloin on your cutting board and use a sharp, thin-bladed knife to trim away any seams of surface fat.

Step 2

Locate the thin, gray sheath of filmy connective tissue, called silverskin, that covers the tapered end of the tenderloin. Slide the tip of your knife underneath the silverskin and cut away a strip, keeping your knife angled toward the silverskin to minimize waste.

Step 3

Continue to take off the silverskin in thin strips, until the surface of the tenderloin is bared.

Cooking the Whole Tenderloin

Step 1

Season the tenderloin liberally with salt and pepper or other flavorings, if you wish. Fold the thin, tapered ends underneath the loin and tie them with cotton butcher's twine so the whole tenderloin is approximately the same diameter from end to end.

Step 2

Place the tenderloin on your oven's broiler pan. Position a rack in the top third of your oven, so that when the pan sits on the rack the tenderloin is 4 to 5 inches from the element. Remove the pan and preheat the broiler.

Step 3

Brush the tenderloin lightly with oil or melted butter. Slide the broiler pan back into the oven once it's heated, and broil the tenderloin for a total of seven to 10 minutes, depending on its size and the degree of doneness you prefer. Turn it halfway through its cooking time to ensure even cooking.

Step 4

Remove the tenderloin from your oven and let it rest, loosely covered with foil, for at least five to eight minutes before serving.

Cooking Medallions

Step 1

Trim away the thin ends of the tenderloin, and cut the rest into medallions 1 1/2 to 2 inches thick. The ends can be reserved for another use, or you can use cotton butcher's twine to tie two or more pieces together and make medallions similar in size to the others.

Step 2

Preheat a grill or heavy skillet to medium-high heat. Lightly brush or spray the medallions with oil, and season them with salt and pepper.

Step 3

Sear the medallions until well browned, approximately three to four minutes. Turn them and cook for another two to three minutes or until they reach your desired degree of doneness.