Ground elk is a versatile ingredient, a delightfully earthy protein that can enrich your usual recipe rotation.
Leaner than beef yet richer than turkey, it presents a unique twist to familiar dishes and an exciting venture into new culinary territory.
Whether you’ve been cooking with ground elk for years or you’re just starting to dip your toes into this flavorful stream, our roundup of recipes has something for everyone.
Here are our best 18 ground elk recipes you should consider trying today!
Sweet Potato Mango Bowl with Ground Elk
This dish is an innovative, one-pan recipe that marries the mild, lean flavors of ground elk with the savory, earthy taste of sweet potatoes.
The mango salsa adds some nice sweetness that is balanced by the zesty lime and fresh cilantro.
For those craving a quick, healthy, and unique meal, this recipe ticks all the boxes.
Ground Elk Tacos
Using ground elk, this recipe introduces a unique twist to traditional tacos.
The elk meat, when cooked with the blend of classic spices like chili powder, cumin, and paprika, has a delicious, robust flavor
Top with your classic cheese, onion, and a squeeze of lime add a refreshing contrast.
Whether you’re looking for an easy weekday meal or an alternative to the usual beef tacos, this recipe might just be your new favorite.
Elk Lasagna Recipe
Elk Lasagna introduces a novel twist to a beloved Italian classic by incorporating ground elk and Italian sausage.
It also changes things up, replacing the standard marinara and ricotta with some creamy alfredo sauce, plus a cream cheese and ricotta herb blend that makes the dish taste so much richer.
It’s a perfect choice for those seeking to explore the culinary possibilities of game meats in the familiar and beloved format that is lasagna.
Elk Ragu
Elk Ragu offers a wild spin on the well-loved classic pasta dish.
The red wine, tomato sauce, and beef stock work in harmony to develop a rich and robust sauce that pairs wonderfully with a broad, flat pasta-like tagliatelle.
A garnish of freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano and optional Italian parsley adds the perfect finishing touch.
It’s an excellent choice for a cozy, satisfying dinner any night of the week.
Ground Elk Quesadillas
These Ground Elk Quesadillas transform your average, potentially bland quesadilla into an intriguing, flavor-packed dish.
The key lies in the ground elk meat filling, amplified by ingredients like taco seasoning, peppers, onions, garlic, tomato paste, and stock.
Together, these create a saucy, flavorsome mixture that ensures your quesadilla is anything but dry.
The vibrant flavors could breathe new life into your quesadilla routine.
Elk Shepherd’s Pie
The Ground Elk Shepherd’s Pie reinvents a traditional comfort food with a wild game twist.
The dish incorporates mixed vegetables and parsnip, enhancing the nutritional value and delivering a gratifying crunch.
A top layer of homemade mashed potatoes, golden-browned in the oven gives a delightful creaminess to counterbalance the savory elk and veggie filling.
The addition of Italian seasoning infuses a hint of herby depth into the elk meat, elevating the overall taste
If you want a classic, comforting dish with a unique spin using ground elk, this is a must-try.
Elk Meatballs with Sweet & Spicy Sauce
These meatballs combine ground elk meat with spicy Italian sausage.
With some addition of minced garlic, onion, and mushrooms, you have a tons of depths of flavor.
The sweet and spicy dipping sauce really stands out in the recipe, using apple cider vinegar, coconut aminos, and blackstrap molasses to add a flavor punch that perfectly complements the meatballs’ robust taste.
Elk Chili
This Ground Elk Chili does things a little differently, substituting beans with fresh vegetables like sweet potatoes and zucchini.
The use of ground elk meat gives the chili a distinct flavor that sets it apart from traditional beef chilis.
Whether it’s cold outside or you’re simply craving something wholesome and flavorful, this elk chili is a comforting choice that is sure to satisfy.
Elk Pizza
This pizza combines ground elk with the traditional pizza toppings of mushrooms, black olives, onions, and an abundance of cheese.
It also has a lovely homemade tomato sauce that uses carrots for a natural sweetness.
Like all pizzas, its super flexible. And when you need a whole family to feed, this is the kind of meal that will keep them satisfied!
Chicken Fried Elk Steak
The Chicken Fried Elk Steak is a Texan recipe that uses a buttermilk marinade to tenderize the lean elk meat.
The steaks are then coated in a seasoned flour and egg wash and adding a nice golden, crunchy exterior.
The finishing touch of Southern Country Gravy, made from pan drippings.
Serve with some green beans, potatoes and enjoy!
Elk Burger Bowls
This Elk Burger Bowl makes use of elk patties served on a bed of mixed greens with roasted sweet potato fries.
The typical burger toppings of cheese and mayo are ingeniously replaced by cashew cream and tahini, offering a source of good fats alongside avocado slices.
Pickled cucumbers and carrots add some extra crunch to the dish.
With a delightful blend of different textures and flavors, this is ideal if you’re looking for a light, summer-friendly bowl full of veggies and protein.
Kashmiri Elk Curry
This intriguing dish takes the best from both North Indian and Moroccan cuisines.
The ground elk is shaped into meatballs and then simmered in a sauce, the result being a mildly spiced curry that highlights the unique flavor profile of the game meat.
The sauce features traditional Indian spices, including cloves, bay leaves, cardamom, and coriander.
Pair with a side of rice or naan for a hearty, comforting meal that breaks from the everyday routine.
Ground Elk Stuffed Acorn Squash
Great as a Thanksgiving meal, but Instead of the usual turkey or ham, ground elk is used.
It is combined with herbs like rosemary and thyme, maple syrup, and dried cranberries.
This filling is used to stuff roasted acorn squash that’s both delicious but also looks fantastic.
The dish is versatile enough to serve as an appetizer, a side, or even the main course.
The result is a wholesome, satisfying meal that brings a sense of adventure and novelty to your holiday table.
Elk Unstuffed Peppers
Stuffed peppers using ground elk? Yes please!
The combination of bell peppers and elk meat is very satisfying together with some extra flavors coming from the tomato sauce and fire-roasted tomatoes.
Got some leftover veggies or rice you want to use up? Stuffed peppers are always super versatile, so feel free to throw them in.
Savory Garlic Mushroom Ground Elk over Rice
This dish gives ground elk a savory twist by combining it with sautéed garlic mushrooms and fresh sage.
It’s a simple, but hearty dish where earthy mushrooms and aromatic sage amplify the unique flavor of the elk.
A dash of Worcestershire sauce brings an extra depth of umami.
Once browned and simmered with canned mushroom soup, the mixture is served over rice.
It takes a familiar comfort food, like stroganoff, and elevates it by using game meat.
Elk Swedish Meatballs
Infused with a traditional twist, this recipe revamps ground elk into savory Swedish meatballs.
Featuring classic ingredients like nutmeg, allspice, and mustard, the recipe promises a rich blend of flavors.
The meatballs, made with ground elk and breadcrumbs, are then cooked in a butter and olive oil combination.
The addition of a thick, homemade broth that incorporates beef broth, sour cream, and Worcestershire sauce is both unique and delicious – we can definitely recommend!
Serve atop egg noodles or mashed potatoes to complete the dish!
Ground Elk Stroganoff
The Ground Elk Stroganoff is an inviting spin on traditional stroganoff dishes.
It’s not just the meat that gives this dish its distinct character, but also the combination of fresh ingredients such as mushrooms, onions, and garlic, all enveloped in a rich sauce made from beef broth, heavy cream, and a hint of Worcestershire.
The sour cream adds a tangy note, marrying well with the hearty flavors, and the egg noodles serve as a pleasingly soft and neutral base.
We love this fresh take on a classic!
Elk Meatloaf
Elevating the classic meatloaf, elk pairs with ground pork that keeps it both juicy and healthy.
Customize it by adding your favorite ingredients like green chili, bacon, or Worcestershire sauce.
Give this flavorful and nutritious elk meatloaf a try—you won’t be disappointed!
18 Best Ground Elk Recipes to Try Today
These ground elk recipes are perfect if you're new to this meat. There are plenty of healthy variations on classic dishes that you already love.
Ingredients
- Sweet Potato Mango Bowl with Ground Elk
- Ground Elk Tacos
- Elk Lasagna Recipe
- Elk Ragu
- Ground Elk Quesadillas
- Elk Shepherd’s Pie
- Elk Meatballs with Sweet & Spicy Sauce
- Elk Chili
- Elk Pizza
- Chicken Fried Elk Steak
- Elk Burger Bowls
- Kashmiri Elk Curry
- Ground Elk Stuffed Acorn Squash
- Elk Unstuffed Peppers
- Savory Garlic Mushroom Ground Elk over Rice
- Elk Swedish Meatballs
- Ground Elk Stroganoff
- Elk Meatloaf
Instructions
- Choose your favorite recipes.
- Get ingredients and follow the instructions.
- Create a tasty ground elk recipe.
Whether you’re looking for a delicious twist on your classic meatballs or tacos and quesadillas that really utilize this delicious game meat, there’s something to choose from for everyone here.
Pick your favorite and enjoy these stress-free ground elk recipes.
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