My neighbor "blessed" me with some Elk tenderloins. He suggested that I soak them in ice water to remove some of the wild game taste, then pr

Not really a red meat eater, but he was so proud, I feel compelled to try.

Chef Lisa
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15 Comments

SKK November 4, 2014
Elk is a blessing, and if there is wild game taste it means the elk was not taken care of after the kill. It should be dressed (bled) immediately and butchered for hauling. Elk is also very, very tender if taken care of correctly.
 
aargersi October 28, 2014
Love Sam's method! I made milanesa last time someone gave me elk - I didn't soak it, but some time in milk or buttermilk will mellow it out if you think it's going to be gamey - mine actually was not. If you think this might be a regular thing you might check out Afield by Jesse Griffiths - game galore!!!

https://food52.com/recipes/2948-elk-milanesa-with-lemon-caper-bechamel
 
Chef L. October 28, 2014
Thanks to all. Abbie, I saw your recipe earlier and it looks great! You used backstrap. I thought the tenderloin might be too tough. What do you think? I was under the impression that these should be served on the rare side with a flash sear. Just can take that wild game taste.
 
aargersi October 28, 2014
The tenderloin shouldn't be tough (I don't guess you know how old that elk was? :-) I did a venison tender last year (similar) much how Sam described - a marinade of olive oil, strong herbs and spices(rosemary, juniper, garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper - blended to a paste) and did the fast/hot grill, served it just below medium with a lemon / horseradish / sour cream. Delicious. Season opens here soon so I am hoping the nephews bring me some deer and some hog - if I come up with any tasty new recipes I will post them!
 
Chef L. October 28, 2014
I do not know the age of the elk. I do know it was alive 48 hours before I got the tenderloins.
 
Sam1148 October 28, 2014
I see aargersi mentioned juniper. In a pinch I've used a splash of gin in a marinade. Well, actually tossed a martini on a grill when there was a flair up but the results turned out good.
 
Sam1148 October 27, 2014
Do the soaking in icewater for a bit. Then dry them and marinade in a basic type marinade. Vinegar/oil/garlic/herbs/mustard powder/onion powder.

Then truss them up with twine if they're rather loose.
Give them a rub of green peppercorns mashed up with mustard and white wine. Rub that on. (don't forget adding salt and pepper before you do the bondage thing with the twine).

Give it a blast of high heat 400-500 to bake it all on..and then reduce to 325 to get internal temp right.

Okay now you should have a 'log' of nicely crusted and well cooked to med-rare Elk part.

Slice it in disks and plate and use a Chimichurri sauce.

Chimichurri Sauce:
Parsley, lemon juice and/or lime juice, garlic, olive oil, Mint (if you have it). and red chili peppers or red pepper flakes to taste.

I'd serve it with a rice..a seasoned squash...and a latin fruit salad of melon cubes, orange slices, red onions, cucumbers, green chili, dressed with lime/oil/cumin/ and cilantro chopped.

Oh...BTW...Up the dosage of the Mint in the Chimichurri for game meat.

 
ktr October 27, 2014
I love that I can learn things from other people's questions! I am going to have to give the baking it on high heat first a try.
Thanks!
 
Chef L. October 28, 2014
Thank you. Think I'll try the Chimichurri!
 
ktr October 27, 2014
I don't soak mine but I don't think soaking it in milk would hurt at all.
Our favorite way to eat it is to rub the meat with a little olive oil, then salt and pepper both sides, spread Dijon mustard on the top followed by a sprig or two of rosemary (or dried rosemary if that is what you have around). Then bake it in the oven on 350 and either use a meat thermometer to make sure you don't overcook it or check on the meat every 5 minutes. Just remember, you want the meat closer to rare than to medium done because if you overcook it, it will be tough. The key to most wild game is to not overcook it, and because they are very lean they overcook very quickly.
Oh, and I almost forgot the best part. Mix together sour cream or plain greek yogurt and horseradish (use whatever ratio tastes best to you, I probably do about 1/4 cup yogurt to a heaping tsp of horseradish) and use this as a dip for the meat.
 
Sam1148 October 27, 2014
That's good advice and good flavor.
Horseraddish sauce LOVES game stuff. So does mustard a mustard rub.
 
ktr October 27, 2014
That is my bastardization of a recipe I found in a Saveur years ago. The original was much more involved so I've simplified it over the years.
 
Sam1148 October 27, 2014
If you're not a red meat eater. That's going to be pretty challenging.
While it might be sacralige to a game hunter to make a chili out of a tenderloin.
it might be the beast option for one of the item.
I really like game chili...game tenderloins are a bit gamey.
Game sausage is great too if you make sausage.

Now..if you want to go full tenderloin..hang on and I'll make second post.

 
ktr October 27, 2014
I have to say that I never ate meat when I first met my husband (lots of poorly cooked meat in my childhood) and a fresh venison tenderloin changed my mind in a hurry!
 
Jess October 27, 2014
Never heard about soaking in ice water. However, some soak game meat in milk for a while to remove, or reduce, the game-y taste. Otherwise, I suggest a marinade. Elk can be pretty tough (it's very lean) so for best result you might want to marinate for several days.
 
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