Whiskey-Marinated Grilled Elk Steaks

Name: Whiskey-Marinated Grilled Elk Steaks
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 38 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/4 cup bourbon or rye whiskey; 3 tbsp soy sauce; 2 tbsp olive oil; 2 tbsp brown sugar; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce; 1 tsp Dijon mustard; 1 tsp coarse black pepper; 2 sprigs fresh rosemary; 4 elk steaks (6-8 oz each, 1 inch thick); 2 tbsp butter; 1/2 tsp kosher salt

38 min 4 servings medium

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Whiskey-Marinated Grilled Elk Steaks

Lean elk steaks marinated in whiskey, soy, and garlic, then grilled to medium-rare — a bold, gamey steak with deep, complex flavors.

Prep

20 min

Cook

10 min

Total

38 min

Servings

Difficulty

medium

Elk is one of the leanest and most flavorful game meats available. Its rich, slightly sweet flavor pairs beautifully with a robust whiskey marinade. Because elk is so lean, the marinade adds moisture and flavor, while grilling to medium-rare keeps the meat tender and juicy.

Ingredients

Servings

Whiskey Marinade

Elk Steaks

Instructions

Make the marinade

Whisk together whiskey, soy sauce, olive oil, brown sugar, garlic, Worcestershire, Dijon, pepper, and rosemary sprigs until the sugar dissolves.

Marinate the elk

Place elk steaks in a zip-lock bag with the marinade. Refrigerate for 4-8 hours, flipping the bag halfway through. Do not marinate longer than 12 hours — the acid will break down the texture.

Pro tip: Elk is very lean and absorbs marinade quickly. Even 4 hours makes a significant difference in flavor.

Temper

Remove elk from marinade 30 minutes before grilling. Pat dry and season lightly with salt. Discard the used marinade.

Grill hot and fast

Grill over high heat (500°F) for 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare (130°F internal). Elk is lean and cooks faster than beef — do not walk away from the grill.

Butter baste and rest

Place a pat of butter on each steak immediately after removing from the grill. Rest for 8 minutes — the butter will melt into a rich sauce that compensates for the lean meat.