Elk steak is a lean meat that's high in protein, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and zinc, according to the USDA. While grilling elk steak is a viable cooking method, proper preparation and attention to timing are essential to enhance flavor and keep the elk steak from becoming dry.
The University of Minnesota Extension recommends first marinating your meat for elk recipes to help flavor and tenderize your meat. Use an oil-based marinade — then grill to no more than a medium well level of doneness.
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Prepare and Marinate Steaks
Step 1: Choose Your Base
Add marinade base to a small mixing bowl. Elk steak requires an oil base, both to enhance flavor and to help prevent the steak from drying out on the grill.
Olive or sesame oil is a good choice as they are healthy cooking oils and provide a flavor of their own.
Step 2: Mix Your Seasoning
Mix in flavor enhancing seasonings such as soy sauce, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, onion slices and/or pepper, adjusting the combination to suit your personal taste.
Step 3: Add the Tenderizer
Add tenderizing ingredients — acidic liquids such as vinegar, lemon juice and garlic that function by breaking down the protein bonds that can make meat tough.
Step 4: Store Meat Safely
Set the elk steaks in a stainless steel, plastic or glass dish with an airtight cover or place them in a plastic food bag with zip closure.
Step 5: Marinate the Meat
Pour in the marinade and refrigerate the elk steaks for no more than 24 hours, turning the meat every four to five hours. Marinating the meat for a longer time can cause the acidic marinade ingredients to turn the meat mushy.
Grilling Elk Steak
Step 1: Prep the Grill
Spray the grill grates with vegetable oil spray and prepare your grill for cooking with indirect heat. If you are using a gas grill, set the temperature on one side to high and the temperature on the other side to medium, close the cover and preheat for about 15 minutes.
If you are using a charcoal grill, heat the coals until they turn to a gray ash color. Divide the coals so about three-fourths are on one side and about one-fourth of the coals are on the other. Set an aluminum foil drip pan in the middle.
Step 2: Remove From Marinade
Remove the elk steaks from the marinating dish or bag using tongs to prevent piercing the meat. Discard the used marinade.
Step 3: Heat on Hot
Set the steaks on the hot side of your grill and cook for about one minute on each side, turning by using your tongs.
Step 4: Move to Medium
Move the steaks to the medium hot side of your grill, close the grill cover and cook an additional minute or two on each side for a medium rare doneness to an additional three to four minutes for a medium well done elk steak.
Step 5: Rest and Serve
Remove the elk steaks from the grill to a serving platter with your tongs and allow the juices to reabsorb into the meat for about five minutes before serving.
According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, game meat such as elk should be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit to help prevent growth of harmful bacteria.
Read more: How Healthy Is Venison Meat?
Things You'll Need
Mixing bowl
Mixing spoon
1/2 cup olive or sesame oil
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons
Worcestershire sauce
1 onion, sliced
1 tablespoon pepper
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 cloves minced garlic
Plastic bag
Vegetable oil spray
Tongs
Aluminum foil drip pan
Serving platter