On the hunt for an easy, affordable, and delicious elk burger recipe? You’ve come to the right place. This recipe starts off with ground elk meat, simple spices, and a secret trick for cooking the juiciest elk burger! The combination of salt and pepper gives the elk burgers a great flavor. This is a recipe that all lovers of big game meat should try at least once.
Elk burgers are easy to make with simple prep work and a little help from some spices. Go ahead and tell your friends how easy these elk burgers are to make! The process is the same as making regular beef burgers, but a bit healthier. It’s always fun to try something new, too.
Cooking them flat on the stove-top means you can enjoy a juicy elk burger any night of the week. And, if you are ready to take your elk burger to the next level, kick it up a notch by throwing it on the grill. Cook to your liking and top with your favorite burger toppings like lettuce, tomato, and onion.
What is Elk Meat?
Elk meat is low in calories and cholesterol. It has nearly the same amount of iron as beef but is lower in fat, higher in lean protein, and lower in calories. Elk meat is on the sweet side and is often compared to beef and venison.
Elk meat has a milder flavor than wild venison but is similarly dark in color and softer than moose meat. In general, it may be used in place of beef in any recipe, however, because of its decreased fat level, you must be careful not to overcook it.
Elk meat may be less popular than other meats, but it’s still delicious and a very healthy alternative to beef. Not only is it fun to mix up your diet, but it’s beneficial to your body to eat a well-balanced diet with many different meats, fruits, vegetables, and grains.
What You’ll Need
- Grill, cast iron skillet, or flat top
- Mixing bowl
- Spatula
Juicy Elk Burger Recipe
Course: MeatCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings10
minutes10
minutes382
kcalLooking for a way to spice up your cookout? Try making these delicious, juicy elk burgers with salt, pepper, and butter.
Ingredients
1 pound 1 ground elk meat
1 teaspoon 1 salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons 3 grated butter
Sliced cheese of choice
4 4 hamburger buns
Optional – onion, mayo, lettuce, tomato, mustard, ketchup
Directions
- Preheat the grill, cast iron skillet, or flat top to medium-high.
- Combine the elk, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl and stir until well combined.
- Form the ground beef into four equal-sized patties.
- Sprinkle a quarter of the grated butter on the center of each patty and fold the butter in. Reshape the patties back into circles.
- Place the burgers on the grill and cook for 4 minutes per side, or until medium (140-145F). Check the burgers to make sure they’re done inside.
- Add a slice of cheese to each burger during the last 2 minutes of the second side so that it has just enough time to melt.
- Serve on a bun with lettuce, tomato, and onion.
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Tips & Tricks
- Use your extra elk meat to make meatballs, pasta, or tacos!
- Some folks may be surprised by this suggestion: adding cold, grated butter to burgers makes them so much juicier. Use grass-fed butter or a dairy-free version with ghee to keep it as healthy as possible. This technique evenly distributes fat throughout the meat, making each mouthful luscious and moist.
- If you’re seeking the health benefits of elk meat, skip the butter step. This obviously takes away some of the nutritional aspects of elk meat that you may be hoping for.
- Elk meat is easily overcooked because it’s so low in fat. When your burgers reach an internal temperature of 140F-145F – medium – take them off the grill. It will continue to cook for a while longer afterward.
- Use a fun sauce on your burgers like spicy mayo, mayo-chup, yum-yum sauce, or barbeque sauce.
FAQs
Savoring a juicy and flavorful elk burger is about as close as you can get to an elk hunting campfire experience without having to sleep in your rig. Here are some frequently asked questions for your reference.
How long is elk meat good in the fridge?
Cooked elk meat can be kept in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days or frozen for 2 to 3 months. Refrigeration, unlike freezing, cannot stop bacteria from growing. As a result, refrigerated food should be consumed within the specified time frame.
How do you freeze elk meat?
Wrap the elk in a plastic wrap that seals as you wrap it. Roll the meat and freezer wrap together from one corner to the other, folding in the corners. You can also use a vacuum sealer.
What does elk meat taste like?
Elk meat has a similar flavor to beef. Because of its dark red color, it has a distinct appearance. It is, however, leaner than beef and, when cooked properly, it is very tender. Elk meat is tasty and low in fat, making it ideal for individuals trying to lose weight.
Where can you buy elk meat?
You can purchase elk meat at most butcher shops. I’ve also seen it for sale at Whole Foods. It’s important to purchase elk meat from a reputable seller that knows where it came from. This can help to ensure the elk meat is high-quality and does not taste too gamey.
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Conclusion
If you’re lucky enough to have the wild game on hand, elk burgers are the perfect dish for a burger night. They’re packed with nutrients and taste so yummy. Adding a bit of extra fat and the right seasonings ensures the perfect burger every time.
Consider this elk burger recipe if you love meat, burgers, and spending time with your loved ones. It’s incredibly simple and will quickly become a staple in your household! Not to mention, this elk burger recipe is sure to please any palate.
It’s a healthy alternative that can be paired with just about any toppings you desire.
