Marinated Elk Steak

Elk steak just might be my favorite! To me, it's the perfect balance between venison and beef. Elk has a more clean, mild taste compared to venison, but it's still more flavorful than beef! It's very lean and high in protein, making it a great healthy option, too.

As you may already know, we eat a lot of venison in our house because Nate and I both deer hunt, but when it comes to elk, we aren't as fortunate. Being that we live in Minnesota, elk hunting isn't an option. But, I did have the pleasure of trying elk steak a while back, and I remember how much I loved it, so I am so grateful for companies like The Honest Bison where you can purchase elk meat that comes from humanely raised elk that are free to forage as they would naturally.

If you're looking to try elk for the first time, or your freezer is fresh out of elk, I highly recommend giving The Honest Bison a try. I've been loving both their elk and bison!!

Why you'll love this recipe

• Flavorful. The soy sauce, lemon juice and balsamic vinegar in the marinade help to add delicious flavor to the elk without overpowering the meat.
• Tender. Marinating the elk also helps to make it tender and juicy!
• Easy to prepare. The marinade is made with simple, pantry staple ingredients.
• Recipe tips. I included lots of recipe tips to ensure a perfectly cooked elk steak to your liking!

The marinade

I used my go-to venison marinade recipe (which has a 4.9 ⭐️star rating on Google!!), but tweaked it slightly so that it doesn't overpower the flavor of the elk, since elk meat doesn't have as strong of gamey flavor as venison. It's perfect!

It adds zesty citrus notes from lemon juice and balsamic vinegar, salty umami flavor from soy sauce and Worcestershire and a touch of fresh garlic. It creates a crazy delicious, tender and juicy elk steak!!

What does elk steak taste like?

Elk steak tastes like a balance between beef and venison. To me, it doesn't taste as gamey as venison, but it's still more flavorful than beef. It's a great balance between the two!

Are elk steaks tender?

Filet mignon elk steak is extremely tender, especially when marinated and cooked quickly over high heat. Elk is naturally lean, so it can be tough when overcooked. Elk steak is most tender when it's cooked to medium-rare/medium.

Elk steak marinade ingredients

• Olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Balsamic vinegar
• Soy sauce
• Worcestershire
• Garlic
• Black pepper

Let the elk steak marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight, flipping over halfway through to ensure both sides get marinated.

How should elk steak be cooked?

There are two common methods for cooking elk steak:

• Grilled elk steak
• Pan seared elk steak

I enjoy both methods, but I prefer grilling when the weather allows! But both methods truly work great though.

When cooking elk, like most meat, you should use a meat thermometer to ensure you don't overcook the meat, which causes it to become tough and dry.

Pan seared elk steak

1. Heat a cast iron or stainless steel skillet over medium-high heat with a drizzle of olive oil.
2. Sear the elk steak in the hot skillet for 3-4 minutes per side, or until a meat thermometer reads 125-130 degrees for medium-rare. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.

Best internal temperature for elk steak

I highly recommend using a meat thermometer when cooking meat to ensure you don't overcook it, resulting in dry, tough meat. For elk steak, here are the temperatures for degree of doneness:

• Rare: 125 degrees F.
• Medium-rare: 125-130 degrees F.
• Medium: 130-135 degrees F.
• Medium-well: 135-140 degrees F.
• Well: 140-150 degrees F.

I like to cook elk steak to around 130 degrees. As it rests off the grill for 5-10 minutes, it comes up in temperature to around 135 degrees for medium doneness. It's still pink and juicy in the center, but not raw, and browned around the edges.

Why you should let meat rest

Cooking meat draws all of the juices to the surface of the meat, so when you cut into the meat without letting it rest, all of the juices will run out, leaving you with dry meat.

So, let the cooked elk rest for 5-10 minutes after it's removed from the heat source. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in tender, juicy cuts.

Storage & reheating

How to store leftover elk steak

Cooked elk steak can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

How to reheat elk steak

To reheat elk steak, remove from the fridge and allow to come to room temperature, then heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat with a little oil. Add the elk steak and sear for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until heated through.

Alternatively, you can cut the steak into thick slices, then lay the slices in a cast iron skillet heated to medium-high heat with a little oil. Sear the first side for about 30-60 seconds, then flip and sear the other side.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is elk meat?

Elk meat can be harvested by hunting wild elk, or elk meat can be purchased through stores like The Honest Bison, where the elk are farm-raised but free to forage as they would naturally, eating a combination of native grasses, shrubs, leaves, wild grains, bark and berries.

Is elk healthier than beef?

Elk has more protein and less fat compared to beef, making it the healthier option.

Is elk healthy to eat?

Yes! Elk is very lean meat that is high in protein and packed with healthy vitamins and minerals.

Is elk steak expensive?

Elk meat is priced slightly higher than beef. Elk isn't as widely available as beef, and it also has more protein and typically has higher levels of natural vitamins and minerals compared to beef.

How can I make my elk steak more tender?

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.

What herbs go with elk?

Thyme pairs nicely with elk. I like to garnish with fresh thyme and a squeeze of lemon juice.

What temp do you cook elk steak?

Whether grilling or pan searing on the stove, cook elk steak over medium-high heat, about 400 degrees, to quickly sear the meat creating a nice crust on the outside and keeping the inside medium-rare.

Recipe tips

• Let the elk come to room temperature before cooking. This will allow the meat to cook more evenly through to the center.
• Use a meat thermometer. Always use a meat thermometer when cooking meat. This ensures you don't overcook or undercook the steak. There are so many great meat thermometers out there at a great price. I highly recommend an instant read meat thermometer, or even better a bluetooth meat thermometer.
• Sear over medium-high heat. Wait until the grill or pan is preheated to medium-high heat before cooking. This will ensure you get a nice crust on the outside, adding delicious flavor and locking in the juices.
• How to get nice grill marks on the steak. I use a Pit Boss pellet grill and here's how I get nice grill marks! Before adding the steaks, make sure the grill is preheated to medium-high and close the flame broiler cover about halfway, so that full flame isn't coming through. This also works for a Traeger grill. If you have a gas or charcoal grill, it's a little more tricking. You will need to make adjustments so that the flames aren't directly touching the steaks.
• Let the meat rest before slicing. I know it's tempting to cut into the steak right away, but let it rest on a plate for 5-10 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat before slicing, ensuring a juicy steak.

What to serve with elk steak

• Zest Balsamic Marinated Grilled Vegetables
• Best Classic Potato Salad
• Creamy Italian Ranch Pasta Salad
• Crispy Salt and Vinegar Roasted Potatoes

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