Step 1

Whisk Fry Sauce and Tabasco until combined. Set aside until needed. You'll use some on the burger and the rest to dip fries into. If you're not serving fries with your burgers, make less sauce.

Step 2

Microwave wine and cherries for 15 seconds to help the cherries soften. Set the cherries aside while you grind the elk or deer meat (if needed). Add cherries, wine, bacon, minced onions, garlic, and sage to a food processor. Pulse until you have a paste.

Step 3

Add paste mixture to ground venison along with salt, pepper, paprika, bread crumbs, and egg. Mix with your hands until combined. Do not overwork the mixture.

Step 4

Form the meat into 4 patties either free-hand or using a hamburger press.

Step 5

Form a dent in the center of each patty and fry in a hot cast-iron skillet for 3 to 4 minutes per side, depending on how well you like your burger cooked. Top with a slice of your favorite cheese during the last minute of cooking. Grill buns in the same pan.

Step 6

Serve the venison burger with sliced onions, tomatoes, pickles, lettuce, and spicy fry sauce.