An elk roast is one of those dishes that takes a little bit of effort but yields amazing results.
This particular type of roast has been around since ancient times with Native Americans in North America, where they would often hunt this large mammal.
In modern day restaurants, it is still very popular as well.
The elk roast recipe we have here will take less than 50 minutes from start to finish.
You’ll want to make sure your elk roast has plenty of time to rest before serving so it doesn’t dry out too much.
The ideal resting period between preparing and serving an elk roast is about 30-45 minutes.
You might even consider making two roasts if you plan on eating them both right away!
How Do You Cook An Elk Roast?
One of the first things you’ll want to decide on when cooking an elk roast is what kind of meat to serve it with.
An elk roast is traditionally served with wild rice, which makes a great pairing due to their similar flavors.
If you don’t feel like using wild rice, there are many different types of side dishes that work incredibly well with this dish.
One such option is mashed potatoes or sweet potato mash, which adds another layer of flavor and texture to the overall experience.
Other options include cornbread, spinach salad, sauerkraut, or coleslaw.
If you choose not to go with any sort of grain or starch, just keep in mind that your elk roast will likely be quite fatty.
Another important consideration when cooking an elk roast is how you intend to serve it.
For example, you may wish to grill it directly over heat, or you may prefer to pan sear it until golden brown.
Either way works, though grilling tends to yield better results because it allows you to control the amount of fat in the final product.
Some chefs also recommend marinating the elk roast prior to cooking it, although this isn’t necessary.
What Temperature Should An Elk Roast Be Cooked At?
When choosing the appropriate cooking temperature for an elk roast, it really depends on how quickly you want the meat to cook.
Generally speaking, most elk roasts fall into either medium rare (120°F) or medium (140°F).
However, depending on how much time you have available, you may be able to get closer to medium rare without sacrificing tenderness.
For instance, I was able to successfully achieve medium rare on our elk roast after only 20 minutes of cooking.
By contrast, the same roast took 40 minutes to reach medium.
How Long Does An Elk Roast Need To Cook?
Once you have selected the proper cooking temperature, the next step is figuring out exactly how long you’re going to leave it in the oven.
Again, this largely depends on how quickly you want your elk roast to cook.
If you have more time than usual, then you can probably stick with the recommended cooking time.
But again, it all comes down to personal preference.
What Is The Best Way To Season An Elk Roast?
To add extra seasoning, you can always opt for a rub instead of salt alone.
A good rub will help ensure that the meat stays moist while cooking.
Try adding garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, cayenne pepper, chili flakes, smoked sea salt, or dried sage leaves.
Be careful not to overdo it, however, because these spices can easily overpower the elk roast.
What Cut Of Elk Roast Is Best For Cooking?
Most elk roasts come from the leg portion of the animal.
Because this area contains a lot of connective tissue, it helps retain moisture during cooking.
Most elk roasts also come from the loin section, which is usually located towards the center of the back end of the cow.
The rib section of the animal is typically reserved for steaks, but it can be used for roasting as well.
How Do You Know When An Elk Roast Is Done?
As mentioned above, the preferred method of determining whether an elk roast is ready to eat is by its internal temperature.
To check this, insert a thermometer into the thickest part of the meat and read it.
Once you have reached 140°F, remove it from the oven and allow it to sit for 5 minutes before removing.
Then, slice into the roast to see if it appears juicy inside.
If the interior of the roast looks underdone, return it to the oven for an additional five minutes.
After 15 minutes total, you are finished.
What Are Some Common Mistakes People Make When Cooking An Elk Roast?
Many people tend to overcook their elk roast.
They get impatient and try to rush through the process, which causes the meat to become tough.
In addition, some cooks forget to let the roast cool completely before slicing, resulting in a wet mess on their cutting board.
Lastly, some people mistakenly put the roast in the fridge right after cooking.
Doing so prevents bacteria growth and keeps the meat safe to consume.
Instead, wait until the roast reaches room temperature before placing it in the refrigerator.
What Are Some Tips For Cooking An Elk Roast?
Here are a few simple steps you can follow to ensure success when cooking an elk roast.
Don’t overcrowd the pan.
When cooking larger cuts of meat, it’s important to give each piece enough space to properly brown and develop a crust.
Use high quality oil.
While olive oil is a classic choice for searing meats, other oils, including peanut and avocado oil, can provide a deeper flavor profile.
Wipe off excess grease every once in awhile.
Make sure you’ve wiped the pan clean whenever you pull the meat out of the oven.
This ensures that no unappetizing bits remain behind.
Cooking temperatures vary greatly among different brands of stoves.
Always test your stove before starting a new project.
And remember to preheat your oven beforehand.
Add aromatics early.
Cooking an elk roast isn’t difficult once you understand the basics, but getting started can sometimes prove challenging.
Adding aromatics like onions, carrots, celery, peppers, etc., toward the beginning of the cooking process helps bring out the full flavor of the meat.
What Are Some Common Accompaniments To An Elk Roast?
While many recipes call for accompanying an elk roast with a variety of sides, you can skip the carbs and simply pair it with something like roasted vegetables.
Roasted root vegetables are a favorite among vegetarians, so this is a nice alternative.
Another tasty side dish is collard greens.
These leafy greens contain a fair amount of iron, calcium, and vitamin K, which is especially beneficial for pregnant women and young children.
Collards are also rich in fiber, which aids digestion.
Finally, you could try some grilled fruit, such as peaches, plums, or apples, to round out the meal.
Also, don’t overlook dessert!
Many cultures have made a tradition of offering desserts following meals, and this is certainly true of elk roast.
Traditional favorites include pies, cakes, ice cream, cookies, and candies.
Don’t worry if you aren’t up to baking anything yourself; frozen treats are readily available at grocery stores.
Just make sure you select products with fewer ingredients and sugar content.
What are some creative ways to use leftover elk roast?
Leftover elk roast is a versatile ingredient.
Leftovers can be transformed into everything from breakfast sandwiches to soups. Here are three ideas for using leftovers:
Elk stew: Chop the roast into bite sized pieces and stir fry it in vegetable broth with fresh herbs. Add whatever veggies you desire to create a comforting soup. Serve it topped with croutons.
Egg rolls: Tear the roast into strips and form thin patties. Fry them in a skillet with eggs, soy sauce, sesame seeds, scallions, and ginger. Top with green onions.
Meatloaf: Combine the remaining meat scraps with ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, parsley, and milk. Shape it into a loaf, wrap it tightly in foil, and bake it slowly in the oven for 45 minutes. Season it with ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce before serving.
Have fun experimenting with different combinations of foods and flavors.
Think outside the box and find inspiration wherever you look.
Equipment
- 1 Oven
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Elk
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp parsley
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp garlic
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp rosemary
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Combine the parsley, oregano, minced garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper in a small bowl with the unsalted butter. After applying the butter mixture all over the elk roast, let it sit for 30 minutes.
- Set the oven’s temperature to 425.
- An oven-safe skillet is warmed up over medium heat. The roast should be carefully added to the heated skillet and seared for 8 minutes total, or about 2 minutes per side. Place the skillet in the oven after turning off the heat. Until the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees, bake for 20 minutes. Take the food out of the oven and give it a 10-minute rest.
- Serve the roast by cutting it against the grain.
Video
Nutrition
My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.