If you've ever had friends or family members that are avid hunters, you may have had the opportunity to try some game meat they've brought back. Most game meats are wonderful replacements for more traditional, fattier meats and offer a more complex flavor. Elk is one such popular game meat that is used in various recipes.
While most elk steak recipes tend to focus on grilling as the primary way of cooking, you can cook it in diverse ways to broaden your culinary experience. Dive into these 10 tantalizing ways to prepare elk steak!
Elk steak can often be cooked much like beef but with a shorter cook time given how lean it is. In this recipe, a hard sear on the steak seals in the distinct flavor of the elk while the other ingredients serve to build upon this flavor. Don't forget to let the steak rest after cooking!
Elevate your elk steak strips by using them as a vehicle for delivering a creamy artichoke filling. Once you sear the meat until golden brown, slice the rolls about one inch thick - too thick will be too much of a mouthful, too thin and it won't hold together even with toothpicks. Serve with a fresh green salad.
Bell peppers, onions, chilis, and more go into making these colorful, sizzling fajitas. Thinly slicing your elk reduces the cooking time and makes for tender strips that fit perfectly in your flour tortilla. These fajitas are best enjoyed with cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime right before serving.
Sous vide is one of the best ways to cook gamey meat to tender perfection. Season your elk tenderloin with blackened seasoning and cook it with thyme sprigs in a sealed vacuum bag to seal in all the moisture and flavor. It'll take about 4 hours to cook, but the meat will be melt-in-your-mouth tender and juicy. Serve with a creamy sweet potato mash to enjoy.
This recipe features a zesty marinade that infuses the elk meat with delightful flavors. Make it with canola oil, Worcestershire sauce, minced onion, garlic powder, soy sauce, black pepper, and lemon juice. Short on time? You can make this marinade in advance and quickly grill the elk steak to enjoy it with a fresh salad.
Do you like a challenge when you cook? Elk Wellington is harder than its traditional beef counterpart because it is leaner and less forgiving during cooking. But, cook it well and your efforts will be rewarded with an incredibly juicy and flavorful meal only found in fine dining establishments. Serve with an onion bourbon marmalade or a simple garden salad.
You may already be stepping out of your comfort zone by trying elk steak, so use this comfort-style cooking to bring some familiarity to your meal. The key to getting the perfect breading is to dredge your steaks in the seasoned flour mixture and buttermilk twice. Pan fry until you get that golden brown crunch and serve with a drizzle of gravy.
Elk steak au poivre, making peppered steak, is a classic French recipe for pan frying your steak. The coarsely ground black pepper forms a crust across the surface of the elk and gives it an aromatic spice. The cognac, cream, and beef broth form a thick sauce that begs to be glazed over the steak, ready to be served.
Originally developed as a dish meant for the Russian upper class, today stroganoff has an air of simplicity that everyone can appreciate. Fried elk steak is simmered with a silky mushroom sauce. Pay attention to your sauce because heating it too long can break it. Serve it over cooked pasta for a hearty, filling meal.
You may not think of adding jam as a sauce for your elk steak but when it is as good as this smoky bacon bourbon jam, you'll wonder why you've never done it before. Grill your elk steaks with a simple seasoning of cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Once done, spoon a generous helping of the caramelized onion bacon bourbon jam and dig in!