Delicious Recipe for Elk or Venison (2024)

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I frequently hear how people plan on "hunting" for their food in a crisis or they are stocking up on the fruits of their present hunting endeavors but seem to be finding it difficult to make creative dishes. So I thought I'd provide one of my go-to methods for cooking elk or venison. I

will also add that this recipe is surprisingly good over salmon cakes. (I know! Who knew that salmon and cranberries got along so well?!) I adapted this recipe from one I found in an old cookbook of a famous restaurant in Denver, CO. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it too.

Game Medallions in a Cranberry Cream Sauce

1 t. sea salt (fine is better)

1 t. lemon zest

1 T. ground black pepper

12 2-ounce game medallions such as elk or venison

2 T. butter

½ cup of whole cranberry sauce

1 t. grated ginger

1 t. chopped green onion (freeze-dried is fine)

1 t. serrano chili—found in jars in the Hispanic food section of your grocery store

1/3 cup red wine or red wine vinegar

1/3 cup chicken broth

¾ cup of reconstituted sour cream, whole milk, or cream (I just use the powdered non-dairy creamer sold in the big containers at Sam’s Club)

4 cups of cooked rice (jasmine or brown rice is my favorite)

At least a 12 inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
Combine the sea salt, lemon zest, and pepper and rub it on each of the medallions, on both sides. (Be sure your medallions are patted dry before doing this step.)

Melt the butter in the skillet and then gently place the medallions in the skillet; don’t crowd them. Sear on both sides to medium rare. (If you need to do this in batches, set the cooked medallions aside.) Set aside medallions on a clean plate to rest and restore their natural juices.
Put the red wine in the skillet to deglaze the fond for a moment then add the cranberry sauce, ginger, green onion, and Serrano chilies. Simmer for about 5 minutes to reduce and blend the seasonings together.

Add the cream and simmer another 5 minutes. The sauce should be a medium-thick texture which will cling to the protein.
Add the medallions and any juices to the skillet and the sauce and let simmer for 1 minute.
Serve warm over your choice of rice.

Category:

  • Recipes

Tags:

  • cooking
  • elk
  • Recipe
  • venison

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I follow the 80/20 rule. 80% of the calories on my plate have to be absolutely premium kind of health, 20%--not. If you can find a solution short of having one's own dairy cow to create cream with that's shelf-stable, then I'm all ears. Furthermore, I don't believe in superimposing MY preferences for food on others.

We have several readers and Facebook fans who can their game meat all year round.

Rachel, in the future I'd encourage you to use the Search Bar feature and look for the topic you're interested in because it's very likely that I've already answered such a question, but also, when the question is asked on an article that isn't relevant to the article it makes it so that I still have to take the time to address the question but no one else gets to benefit from that time. When we first started out, that was fine, but now that I'm having to sift through literally hundreds of e-mails daily, my time is at a premium.
As noted on each pressure canning and cooking article I've posted, the glass top stove does not impact the safety and usability of pressure canning so long as such a stove isn't a first generation model. The only problems I've had was y overhang for the lights/venting getting in the way of the height of the canner. As such, I use the 921 model on my glasstop and the 941 on my turkey fryer burner outside. Hope that helps.

Kellene, I'm am interesting in getting a American canner and I'm not sure which one to purchase. I have a glass top stove and was interested in the 30 quart or 41.5 quart but I'm not sure about weight issuses being to heavy. I know you use this pressure canner and I'm not sure which quart size you have, but being that you have experience with this canner on a glass stove maybe you could help me with weight issuses. I would just like to be able to can more at a time. Thanks for any advice in advance.
Rachel

This recipe made my mouth water! We are unable to hunt large game any longer due to our age and our health. Also that fact creates possible future problems for us if meat supplies dry up. I think we would be limited to small game that we could trap.

Thanks for the recipe and your on-going dedication to the cause.

My husband is big into hunting here in CO, and he has gotten me hooked too! We have elk in our freezer right now. I'll have to try this. Thanks! I'm wondering how it would do with canned game though. I haven't canned any yet, but I learned how to can meat with Zaycon chicken :) and I would like to try game now too.

I have one package of tenderloin and about 25 packs of ground elk left from last fall. I'll try this with the tenderloin.

The more I read about our traditional (read: multi-nationals trying to make money [a traditional system would be "real" food]) food system, the more outraged/angrier/sadder I get. I buy/grow/raise as close to organic and natural as possible - and I get the feeling you are like that, too. That being said, have you ever read the ingredients list on non-dairy creamer? Fake food and full of GMOs from the corn/soy/canola.

The non-dairy creamer. Thanks. I'll clarify that in the article.

kellene ~ in your recipe you said you use the powdered cream they sell in the big containers at sams club ~ are you talking about the non-dairy creamer? or the powdered non-fat dry milk? or do they really sell powdered cream? thanks.

I dry ginger coins and store them vacuum sealed in jars and I also pickle ginger. Either way is wonderful and the "pickled ginger juice" is wonderful for other recipes too!

Kellene, I searched "ginger" and this was the first post to pop up. I was wondering if you store ginger root in vodka. I was thinking of doing just that, pulling a vacuum on the jar.

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Delicious Recipe for Elk or Venison (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to cook elk? ›

Elk is very lean, and as such is best enjoyed rare to medium-rare. When cooking elk steaks, a short duration, high-temperature sear is ideal, locking in the elk's natural juices without drying it out. An internal temperature of 120-125 degrees is best, with a resting period of at least 5 minutes.

Does elk taste better than deer? ›

Choosing Between Venison and Elk: A Matter of Preference

Venison offers a bolder, more pronounced gamey taste, while elk presents a sweeter and milder alternative. When it comes to salami, both meats contribute unique qualities, and the decision depends on the flavor profile that aligns with your palate.

What flavors go well with elk? ›

Mushrooms and swiss cheese, onions and roasted red bell peppers, or roasted chile, bacon, and cheese; there are endless flavor combos for your elk meat.

Do you soak elk meat before cooking? ›

Yes, it is often recommended to soak game meat before cooking. Soaking game meat, especially wild game, can help to remove any blood, gamey flavor, and potential bacteria. Soaking in water or a marinade with acidic ingredients like vinegar or buttermilk can help tenderize the meat and improve its flavor.

What is the best way to tenderize elk meat? ›

To make elk more tender, marinate the meat overnight. If desired, you can also physically tenderize the meat by using a meat mallet or piercing the meat with a fork to help break down the connective tissue. For the most tender meat, I recommend cooking elk to medium-rare/medium.

How do you cook venison so it's not gamey? ›

the 'gamey' taste is usually from the tallow and silver skin. Trim off ALL of the white tallow that looks like fat and the silver skin all you want is good red meat. Next DO NOT over cook, medium rare to medium at most. I grill mine low and slow, turning often.

How is venison best cooked? ›

Naturally tender cuts like loins and tenderloin take well to high heat grilling, pan searing, or stuffing and trussing and should be served rare to medium rare. Here's my recipe for how to cook Chili Cocoa Crusted Venison Loin. Tougher muscles from the shoulder, shank or neck should be braised or stewed slow and low.

How do you cook venison so it's not tough? ›

I like to cook venison on low heat because I am less likely to over cook it. Venison should only be cooked to about a medium doneness. Anything further will get really tough. I cook the venison on the top rack of my grill and turn it only once before it is done to perfection.

How do you get the gamey taste out of elk? ›

The distinct game flavor of either birds or animals will be milder after soaking the meat overnight in the refrigerator in either a salt or vinegar solution. 2. Vinegar solution - 1 cup per quart of cold water. Use enough solution to cover the game completely.

What is the best tasting deer in the world? ›

Axis venison is considered by many to be the finest venison in the world. A native of India, the Axis deer was introduced to ranches in the Texas Hill Country in the 1930's.

Is elk healthier than venison? ›

Even better, Livestrong.com explains that the meat is high in protein, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc. Most game tends to be healthier for us than store bought meats, but elk is even better for you than venison! And that's just the actual nutritional value of eating your harvested meat.

What is elk meat called? ›

Venison comes from animals such as our native whitetail deer, reindeer, moose, elk, and several non-native animals such as red deer, axis deer, fallow deer, sika deer, blackbuck antelope, and nilgai antelope.

Is elk meat healthy to eat? ›

Elk meat is healthy and has a delicate, mild flavor. It has low in fat, provides plenty of protein, and is easy to cook.

What part of the elk is best to eat? ›

1) The loin, aka, backstrap, runs the length of the backbone and provides the best steaks known to man, save for maybe the tenderloins, which are found opposite the backstrap, tucked up under the spine, just forward of the pelvis. These tender cuts should be cooked fast, with dry, high heat.

What do you soak elk meat in? ›

Whisk together canola oil, onion, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, garlic powder, and pepper in a small bowl until combined. Place elk steak in a large resealable plastic bag and pour in Worcestershire mixture. Coat steak with marinade, squeeze out excess air, and seal the bag.

Is elk the best meat to eat? ›

Elk meat has a higher proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), which are healthier. Grass-fed animals like elk provide meat that might protect against chronic disease. Their lower fat content prevents the rise in total and LDL cholesterol. High levels of these lipids are linked to heart disease.

Can you eat elk medium rare? ›

It has a mild flavor and is a good source of lean protein. If marinated, even the "tougher" cuts come out great. I recommend cooking to medium/medium rare for ideal tenderness, but I have had it cooked well done and it is still tasty.

Is elk better for you than beef? ›

You can enjoy more protein and vitamins and minerals like B12, iron, zinc, niacin, phosphorus, thiamine, and riboflavin from an average cut of elk than you could from chicken, lamb, or beef. This nutritious bite helps lower the risk of heart disease, boosts your immune system, and can improve your overall health.

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