Step 1
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Step 2
In a mixing bowl, combine ground venison, kimchi, grated onion (with juice), garlic, egg, panko, sesame oil, soy sauce, gochujang (if using), salt, and pepper.
Step 3
Mix until just combined — avoid overmixing to keep meatballs tender.
Step 4
Form into 1½-inch meatballs and arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
Step 5
While meatballs bake, combine soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice vinegar into the cooked rice, folding to coat evenly.
Step 6
In a separate bowl, toss cucumber slices with rice vinegar, sugar, and sesame seeds.
Step 7
To serve, spoon sesame-soy rice onto plates and arrange meatballs on top of the rice. Garnish each plate with cucumber salad and additional sesame seeds.
Nutritional Analysis Per Serving:
Calories: 520 Total Fat: 22g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Cholesterol: 100mg, Fiber: 3g, Protein: 34g, Carbohydrates: 42g, Sodium: 850mg, Sugars: 5g, Net Carbs: 39g
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When I’m cooking, I’m thinking about how to build meals that actually support strength and energy.
When you’re choosing animal protein, quality matters. How the animal was raised and what it ate can shape the overall nutrient profile, which is part of why I like
Maui Nui. Their venison comes from 100% wild-harvested deer on Maui, roaming freely and feeding on a wide range of plants in nutrient-rich volcanic soil.
It’s a lean, nutrient-dense protein that naturally provides heme iron, B12, zinc, and all the essential amino acids your body needs, including leucine, one of the key amino acids that helps support muscle protein synthesis, especially if you’re focused on maintaining strength and metabolic health.
This week, I’m featuring one of their delicious recipes I’ve been making recently—Spicy Venison & Kimchi Meatballs—which is a great way to bring something new into your routine without overcomplicating things.
If you’re looking for something even easier, I’d recommend trying their jerky sticks. They’re a simple way to keep high-quality protein on hand. They taste great, travel well, and make it easy to reach for something that actually supports your energy instead of working against it.
They’re offering a
free 6-pack of Wild Venison Jerky Sticks with your first order at mauinuivenison.com/hyman, along with plenty of recipes to help you get started if you want to try it for yourself.
