Venison / Fat Blend Ratio (Pearson Square)
The classic Pearson square method for hitting a target fat percentage when blending lean venison with added fat.
How this works
The Pearson square is a classic ratio technique going back over a century in food science and animal feed formulation: given two ingredients with known fat (or nutrient) percentages, it finds the exact ratio that blends to a target percentage in between them. Here it's applied to blending lean venison with added fat to hit a target fat content for burger, sausage, or other ground blends.
Common target fat percentages
Ground venison burger blends often target somewhere around 15-20% fat for a burger that holds together and doesn't dry out on the grill, while sausage recipes can run higher depending on the style. Adjust the target fat percentage field to match your own recipe's specification.
Frequently asked questions
What fat percentage should I target for venison burger?
Many recipes target roughly 15–20% fat for a burger blend that holds together and doesn't dry out on the grill, though this varies by personal preference and how the meat will be cooked.
Why is venison usually blended with added fat at all?
Wild venison typically runs only 1–3% fat on its own, which is lean enough that straight venison burger or sausage can turn out dry — blending in beef fat, pork fat, or bacon brings it up to a more workable percentage.
Can I use this for something other than venison and fat?
Yes — the Pearson square is a general ratio technique for blending any two components with known percentages to hit a target percentage in between, though this calculator is set up specifically for lean meat and added fat.
Explore the whole Calcs family here.
Not happy with our calculations or how it works? Let us know.
Have a suggestion for a calculator you don't see here? Let us know.
All HuntersCalcs tools
Rifle & Scope
Ballistic Coefficient Estimator Bullet Drop / Trajectory Calculator Barrel-Length Velocity Loss (Estimate) BC Truing from Chronograph Cost per Shot / Cost per Hunt Density Altitude Calculator Scope / Binocular Exit Pupil, FOV & Twilight Factor Maximum Point-Blank Range Mil-Dot / MOA Range Estimator MOA / Mil Calculator Muzzle / Downrange Energy & Momentum Free Recoil Energy & Velocity Sectional Density Calculator Sight-In / Zero Correction Spin Drift & Coriolis (Long-Range) Time of Flight & Moving-Game Lead Twist Rate & Bullet Stability Uphill / Downhill Shot Correction Wind Drift CalculatorMuzzleloader
Muzzleloader Ballistics Muzzleloader Powder: Volume, Shots per Pound & Cost Patched Round Ball: Weight, BC & TwistShotgun
Pellet Energy by Shot Size & Range Crossing-Bird Lead Pellet Count & Pattern Density Slug DropArchery & Crossbow
Arrow Drop, Sight Pin Gaps & Yardage Tape Arrow FOC (Front of Center) Arrow Kinetic Energy & Momentum Arrow Speed Estimator Arrow Spine — General Starting Point Total Arrow Weight & GPP Holding Weight from Let-Off Broadhead Penetration Reference: Energy vs. Momentum Crossbow Bolt Drop with Multi-Reticle Scope Draw Length Calculator Treestand / Angle-Shot Horizontal DistanceReloading
Case Capacity from Water Weight Seating Depth off the Lands (CBTO) Chronograph ES / SD Statistics Load Density / Case Fill % Powder Burn-Rate Reference Reloading Cost per Round & Break-Even Load Data Finder Rounds per Pound of PowderDraw Odds
Tag Draw Odds Estimator (Pilot)Land & Herd
Food Plot Seed, Lime & Fertilizer Mix Hunting Lease Cost per Acre / per Hunter Trail Camera Population Estimate (Jacobson Method)Meat Processing
Cost per Pound of Venison Cure & Salt Calculator Freezer Space Needed per Deer Jerky / Sausage Seasoning Scaler Taxidermy Cost Estimator Venison / Fat Blend Ratio (Pearson Square) Venison Cut Yield CalculatorNo calculators match your search.