Timber 2 Table - Sorghum Pickled Deer Heart

The combination of pickling spice and sweet sorghum gives this heart a sweet and savory flavor that makes it the perfect camp snack

Sorghum Pickled Deer Heart


30 Min

Prep Time


45 Min

Cook Time


Easy

Difficulty

Deer heart gets a bum rap. So many hunters I talk with recoil at the mere mention of saving the heart from their kills. It'll taste like liver or It will be tough and chewy are two of the main responses I get. Neither is correct.

Venison heart is pure muscle. It has a slightly denser texture than a roast from the same animal. The flavor is rich, not livery at all, and most folks would be hard pressed to tell it from top or bottom round slices when deep-fried (one of our favorite heart prep methods).

If you are looking for a different way to prepare your deer hearts, try pickling them. The sliced heart will keep for weeks in the refrigerator. Pickled deer heart makes an outstanding sandwich or a great deer camp snack when served with saltine crackers.

Eat the heart straight from the jar or serve it up on saltines with sharp cheddar and a slice of jalapeno.

Make up a batch and stick them in the refrigerator at your next deer camp. You'll be amazed at how quickly they disappear once your hunting buddies give them a try. The combination of flavorful heart, tart vinegar and pickling spice, and sweet sorghum makes for an addicting snack.

Vinegar, pickling spice blend, and sweet sorghum give the heart a sweet and savory flavor that makes it the perfect snack food.

Ingredients

1 or 2 deer hearts

1 large red onion, thinly sliced

Pickling Brine:

2 quarts apple cider vinegar

1 cup sorghum molasses

1/2 cup water

2 tablespoons salt

1 tablespoon pickling spices

6 garlic cloves, minced

Hot pepper flakes to taste

Cooking Instructions

Trim the fat cap from the top of the heart. Remove any fat from the heart's outer portion. Place the heart (or hearts) in a large pot. Cover completely with cold water and turn the heat to medium-high. Watch the pot, and once it reaches a simmer, reduce the heat to low to hold the temperature at a simmer for 45 minutes.

Trim all fat and outer connective tissue from the heart before cooking.

While the heart simmers, in a separate pot, mix the pickling brine ingredients. Bring the mixture to a boil, stir well to blend, then remove from heat and allow to cool.

Bring the pickling solution to a boil, then let it cool.

After the heart has finished simmering, rinse it under cold water until it is cool enough to handle. Using a sharp knife, slice the heart into medallions of about 1/4-inch thickness. Trim away and discard any connective tissue that lines the inner chambers of the heart.

Slice the red onion and simmered deer heart thinly before adding to the jar.

In a 2-quart jar, add a layer of sliced heart, then a layer of sliced onion, then heart, and so on until all the heart is in the jar. Pour over the cooled pickling brine.

Layer the heart and onion in a clean jar before pouring over the pickling brine.

Shake well and refrigerate for 4 to 6 days before eating. Serve as a sandwich or atop saltine crackers with a bit of sharp cheddar and a slice of jalapeno pepper as a snack or appetizer.