Instant Pot Venison Roast with BBQ Sauce

Name: Instant Pot Venison Roast with BBQ Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h 30 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 Whole Head Garlic; 1 Small Onion or Shallot; 1/2 Tsp Black Pepper; 1/2 Tsp Salt; 1 Medium Deer Roast; 3 Cups Water; 1 Bottle BBQ Sauce; Hamburger or Slider Buns

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Last Updated on January 20, 2024 by Allison Lancaster

When you need an easy, hands-off dinner that the whole family will love, try this Instant Pot Venison Roast with BBQ sauce. Smokey BBQ sauce with flavorful fork-tender venison makes a flavor combination that can’t be beaten.

A delicious BBQ pulled venison sandwich slider on foil, next to potato chips in a paper bag.

These BBQ venison sandwiches are so simple to make in a fraction of the time thanks to the trusty Instant Pot! Just a few ingredients into your Instant Pot set it, and you have dinner on the table in no time at all. They are perfect for sharing at a summer picnic, or a family gathering, and leftovers are amazing as well.

Want to make it even a step better? Try adding some homemade coleslaw on top when serving! Creamy, crunchy, and smokey flavor is all you need to bring a smile to your family’s face.

Instant Pot Venison Roast with BBQ sauce loaded onto a fresh hamburger bun with a brown paper packet filled with crisps.

Instant Pot Venison Roast with BBQ Sauce Ingredients & Substitutions:

Instant Pot Venison Roast with BBQ Sauce recipe ingredients on a marble countertop.

Garlic – A whole head of garlic. Garlic powder could also be used which is my personal preference.

Raw Onion or Shallot – Cut into pieces. Add some onion powder for a deeper flavor. I prefer onions for this recipe.

Deer Roast – You can also make this Instant Pot venison roast with beef roast instead of deer meat.

Water – You’ll need about 3 cups of water as the cooking liquid. For extra flavor, replace some of the water with 1-2 cups of beef broth. Worcestershire sauce, red wine, or balsamic vinegar can also be included in the cooking liquid for an added layer of flavor.

BBQ Sauce – Only added at the end of this venison recipe. You can also leave this off, this venison roast recipe has enough flavor of its own and is delicious with or without the BBQ sauce.

Slider or Hamburger Buns – Homemade or store-bought. You can also leave the buns/bread off if you prefer a healthier recipe. Simply serve with potatoes, carrots, or your favorite vegetables!

How To Make Instant Pot Venison Roast with BBQ Sauce

Peel and cut the garlic and onion into pieces. Place it into the bottom of the Instant Pot.
Add water, seasonings, and venison pot roast.
Place the lid on the pot and make sure the valve is in the sealing position. Cook on high pressure for 90 minutes and allow to cool and allow for a natural release.
Remove the tender roast from the bottom of the pot and place it on a plate. Using two forks, pull apart the tender venison roast. It should be super soft and easy to shred/pull apart.
After you have it all shredded, return it to the pot with the liquid. Allow it to rest for 10 minutes. You can stir in 1/2 cup of the BBQ sauce at this time if you would like extra sauce in this Instant pot venison roast recipe.
Remove a portion at a time and place it on buns or sub rolls with some BBQ sauce. Top with coleslaw if you like, and serve.

Instant pot venison roast ingredients on marble counter top

Venison with garlic and shallots in the Instant Pot.

Serve

We love ours with plain potato chips, but you can add homemade fries, baked beans, or even a side salad. Other sides to try that go well with a venison roast:

How To Store Instant Pot Venison Roast with BBQ Sauce

If you want to make this venison roast instant pot recipe in advance for a party, simply allow it to cool completely after cooking.

Wrap in aluminum foil, then place in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months, or simply store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.

To reheat, place the red meat back into the Instant Pot with a bit of water and reheat for 5 minutes (for fridge) or up to 20 minutes (for frozen) on full-pressure cooking mode.

Release pressure naturally, add in BBQ sauce, and serve.

Can I make venison roast in the slow cooker?

Sure! You can simply add all of these ingredients to your slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

Recipe FAQ’s:

What is venison?

Venison is the meat of a deer. It’s a lean meat that’s a healthy and delicious alternative to beef or pork. The taste of venison can vary depending on the type of deer it comes from, but it is generally considered to be slightly gamey with a rich flavor.

Venison is a great alternative to beef if you have some readily available. It’s a low-fat meat that is so versatile, too – perfect for a low-calorie diet.
One of our favorite ways to enjoy venison is with these BBQ-pulled sandwiches.

How can I change this up a bit?

Try different BBQ sauces for a twist on flavors. If you like it spicy, add ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes with the salt and pepper when cooking.

Skip the hamburger buns and serve on tortillas for pulled venison tacos! Serve with brown rice and refried beans for a full meal, make a burrito bowl, or make Instant Pot venison stew.

What if I don’t have access to venison?

No worries! You can use pork butt or a beef chuck roast for these sandwiches. You’ll get the same yummy sandwich with beef pot roast but with a bit of a different flavor. You can also use chicken breasts or thighs for another fun sandwich! Try them all!

How can I thicken the pulled venison mixture without adding more BBQ sauce?

If the pulled roast mixture is too runny for you, simply mix in a cornstarch slurry or onion soup mix. Mix well with a wooden spoon to prevent any clumping in the mixture.

How long does venison last in the fridge?

Cooked venison will typically last for 3-4 days in the fridge.

More Delicious Instant Pot Dinner Recipes

I hope you enjoy this mouth-watering Instant Pot Venison Roast with BBQ Sauce! If you try it, please come back and leave me a comment letting me know how you liked it. And if you have any questions, please feel free to ask! I love hearing from you!

Instant Pot Venison Roast with BBQ Sauce

Yield: 8 sandwiches

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Additional Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

1 Whole Head Garlic
1 Small Onion or Shallot
1/2 Tsp Black Pepper
1/2 Tsp Salt
1 Medium Deer Roast
3 Cups Water
1 Bottle BBQ Sauce
Hamburger or Slider Buns

Instructions

Peel garlic and onion. Then cut the onion into pieces. Put everything other than the BBQ sauce into the Instant Pot.
Place the lid on the pot and make sure the valve is in the sealing position. Push manual and select high pressure and cook time of 90 minutes. When it is finished carefully release the pressure.
Remove the roast and place it on a plate. Using two forks, pull apart the roast. It should be super soft and easy to shred/pull apart.
After you have it all shredded return back to the pot with the liquid. Allow it to rest for 10 minutes.
Remove a portion at a time and place it on a bun with some BBQ sauce. Top with coleslaw if you like and serve.