Meat Processors in Minnesota
392 processors across 84 counties · 279 take custom orders · 6 handle wild game
Browse by county
- Aitkin (4)
- Anoka (2)
- Becker (6)
- Beltrami (5)
- Benton (7)
- Big Stone (1)
- Blue Earth (5)
- Brown (3)
- Carlton (4)
- Carver (3)
- Cass (3)
- Chippewa (1)
- Chisago (3)
- Clay (4)
- Clearwater (4)
- Cottonwood (4)
- Crow Wing (5)
- Dakota (14)
- Dodge (1)
- Douglas (5)
- Faribault (3)
- Fillmore (5)
- Freeborn (9)
- Goodhue (5)
- Grant (3)
- Hennepin (20)
- Houston (3)
- Hubbard (1)
- Isanti (4)
- Itasca (6)
- Jackson (2)
- Kanabec (3)
- Kandiyohi (4)
- Kittson (2)
- Koochiching (2)
- Lac qui Parle (3)
- Le Sueur (5)
- Lincoln (1)
- Lyon (2)
- Mahnomen (1)
- Marshall (2)
- Martin (5)
- McLeod (6)
- Meeker (3)
- Mille Lacs (2)
- Morrison (9)
- Mower (5)
- Murray (2)
- Nicollet (2)
- Nobles (5)
- Norman (1)
- Olmsted (6)
- Otter Tail (7)
- Pennington (3)
- Pine (8)
- Pipestone (3)
- Polk (1)
- Pope (4)
- Ramsey (9)
- Red Lake (1)
- Redwood (5)
- Renville (8)
- Rice (11)
- Rock (2)
- Roseau (3)
- Scott (3)
- Sherburne (5)
- Sibley (7)
- St. Louis (15)
- Stearns (22)
- Steele (2)
- Stevens (2)
- Swift (3)
- Todd (11)
- Traverse (1)
- Wabasha (3)
- Wadena (3)
- Waseca (2)
- Washington (6)
- Watonwan (6)
- Wilkin (1)
- Winona (4)
- Wright (13)
- Yellow Medicine (2)
Common questions
- How much does deer processing cost in Minnesota?
Minnesota has 279 confirmed custom processors listed here, and each shop sets its own price. For the 2025-2026 season, basic deer processing (skinning, cutting, grinding, wrapping) typically runs $100 to $150 at most Midwest shops, with the full national range roughly $75 to $250. Some processors charge per pound instead, commonly around $3.50 per pound of finished meat with minimums near $180. Specialty products cost extra: summer sausage and brats often add $50 to $100, jerky $30 to $75. Vacuum sealing usually costs more than paper wrap. Prices vary by shop, so call ahead and ask what's included.
Prices as of the 2025-2026 season. More on deer processing cost.
- How long does deer processing take?
Most shops run 2 to 3 weeks during the season, longer at peak (November). Popular lockers book out weeks ahead, and some stop taking deer when full. Call before you drive.
- When is deer season in Minnesota?
Deer season dates in Minnesota are set each year by Minnesota DNR, and they change from season to season. Check the Minnesota DNR deer page for the current archery, firearm, and muzzleloader dates before you plan a hunt.
- What do USDA inspected, state inspected, and custom exempt mean?
USDA inspected means a federal inspector is in the plant and the meat can be sold across state lines. State inspected means the state program inspects the plant and the meat can be sold inside that state. Custom exempt means the shop processes your own animal for you, and the meat comes back marked Not for Sale. Most small town lockers are custom exempt. How listings work.