Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Elk burger recipe

I keep my elk burger recipe pretty simple - I take my pound of thawed ground elk and let it sit for a few to get closer to room temp, then hand mix it with an egg, a splash of milk, an even smaller splash of liquid smoke, then either some salt and pepper, or sometimes some of that Montreal steak seasoning - but really you can add whatever seasoning you like with red meat. I prefer a patty that is not too thick, but with a larger circumference. That way it's easier for me to get away with a flame-kissed patty that isn't too raw in the middle and I don't dry out the outside.

I mix pork fat trimmings. Really brings out flavor
The b fat is the most flavourful part. Why do you think Ribeyes or waygu is so good. Fat.
I like my burgers 15-20% fat

I've tried it a bunch of ways: no added fat, 10% beef fat, 10% pork fat, 10% bacon ends, and this year went to 20% beef fat. I didn't care for the pork or bacon. 10% beef fat worked for me but not the wife. 20% beef fat is where I'll stay as both the wife and I like it.

My wife and I much prefer about 9% beef suet. If we are planning on a trip/hunting trip or traveling for work we will thaw make patties with paper between them and bundle up a dozen. Years ago we used bacon bits and ends in burgers but it doen't freeze that well long term.

I think adding beef or pork suet to elk completely misses the point of wild game.

Which is partly why Eileen and I don't.

But have also noticed over the decades that many hunters feel the need to add "tame" fat in order not just to satisfy their taste-expectations, but those of family members. Which in today's America often means plenty of fat.

Yes - its like recipes that wrap a piece of bacon around a grouse or pheasant breast!

My wife tried a new burger recipe last night. She put them on the grill, then her phone rang. I didn't know she'd put them on or I could have rescued them. Let's just say they were less than optimum.

Diced onion mixed with the burger then sprinkled with some johhnys seasoning salt and broiled.