Recipes
Smoky Elk & Mushroom Meatballs
These tender, smoky meatballs blend wild elk with earthy mushrooms and a touch of spice for a rich, flavorful dish. Serve them as an appetizer with a dipping sauce or over mashed potatoes, pasta, or wild rice for a hearty meal.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C), or heat a skillet over medium heat if pan-frying.
- Mix the dry ingredients:
- In a large bowl, combine the ground elk, chopped mushrooms, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, onion, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, pepper, thyme, and chili flakes. Mix gently until well combined but avoid overworking the meat.
- Form the meatballs:
- Roll the mixture into small meatballs (about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter) and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Cooking options:
- Baking: Bake for 18–22 minutes or until browned and cooked through (internal temp of 160°F/71°C).
- Pan-frying: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook the meatballs for about 10–12 minutes, turning occasionally until evenly browned and cooked through.
- Optional smoky glaze:
- While the meatballs cook, mix the BBQ sauce, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, and smoked paprika in a small saucepan over low heat. Simmer for 2–3 minutes, then brush over the meatballs in the last few minutes of cooking.
- Serve:
- Serve hot with your choice of sides or dipping sauce.
Enjoy these bold, smoky elk meatballs for a taste of the wild! 🦌🔥
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground elk
- 1/2 cup finely chopped mushrooms (cremini or wild mushrooms work well)
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (or panko)
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for frying, if pan-cooking)
For the Smoky Glaze (Optional):
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 tbsp maple syrup or honey
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
Serving Suggestions
- Over mashed potatoes with a rich gravy
- Tossed with buttered egg noodles or wild rice
- As an appetizer with a smoky chipotle aioli or cranberry chutney
