Elk steak is a lean cut of meat from deer, which you need to cook properly as it will get dry within a short period. Elk Steak is highly rich in protein and contains very low cholesterol and fat levels. This article will teach you how to cook elk steak in the oven.
Since many people mention that when comparing elk and beef in equal portions, elk steak is better than beef as it comparably contains a higher amount of protein, iron, and B12. The steak will be a good option for those working on a diet plan.
If you have never cooked elk steak, then by reading this article, you will understand how to cook elk steak in the oven. Before stepping into the cooking process, it is often better to know how to do it so you can make the meal delicious without losing its flavors.
There are several methods to cook elk steaks, such as grill, frying pan, open flame, smoker, and oven. Among these methods, this article will significantly focus on cooking elk steak in the oven as it is one of the easiest ways, which requires low maintenance.
You will be able to get preserved and packaged elk steak in the stores, especially in the USA, as it is immensely popular there. If you bought elk steak to cook on your own for the first time and wondering about the cooking process, then you’re in the right place as this article will explain how to cook elk steak in the oven.
Many prefer making elk steak in the oven rather than other methods when making it at home, as the process will be easy and convenient. Overcooking elk steak is also not good, so let’s look at how to cook this meat to taste excellent.
How To Cook Elk Steak In The Oven?
Whenever you are planning to cook a meal, make sure that you have all the necessary ingredients that you will need to make an appetizing meal. To make elk steak in the oven, you will need the following ingredients so ensure that you checked all from the list.
Ingredients
- The first thing that is mandatory is a portion of elk steak.
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic cloves
- Oregano
- Tomato sauce
- Onion
Preperation
Now you will have to make the garlic clove into a paste. When the garlic gets roasted with the oil, it will give good flavor; when it is in the paste form, the meat will quickly absorb the flavor.
Then you can cut the elk meat into steaks that will be convenient for serving and consuming.
Ensure you preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Here you will learn the process of cooking a one-pound elk steak.
Slightly Cook the Elk Steak in a Pan
This is an optional step. You can also place the elk steak directly in the oven, but slightly cooking it in the pan will be best.
After heating the pan, you must pour some oil and then slowly place the elk steaks in the pan, cook it for two minutes, flip the steak to the other side, and leave it for around two minutes.
When the steaks turn a golden brown, remove the pan from the heat and transfer slices to a baking tray that you can place in your oven.
Making the Sauce
Do not place the baking tray in the oven yet, as there is one more step.
Now you must peel the onion and chop it well.
Then place the pan on the stove, heat it, and add some olive oil.
Once the oil is heated, put the garlic paste. After it turns golden brown, add the chopped onion and some salt, pepper, and oregano. Stir it well using a wooden spoon.
Then lastly, you can add the tomato sauce, stir it again and remove the pan from the heat.
The sauce is ready, and you can pour it on the elk steak you placed on the baking tray.
Cooking Elk Streak in the Oven
After adding the sauce, you can put the tray in the oven.
When choosing a baking tray, it is better to get one with a lid, as you will need to cover the tray before placing it in the oven.
If you don’t have such dishes, you can cover them with aluminum foil.
The cooking process will be slow as it will take more than 45 minutes to cook the steaks completely.
Serving
Before serving, you need to clarify whether the steak is cooked well.
So, you will have to take the baking tray out of the oven and insert a fork into the steak to check whether it is cooked well and has tenderness.
If the steaks shred, it is in the best state, so you can start serving and enjoying the meal.
To ensure the steak’s temperature, you can use an instant thermometer during the cooking process.
The ideal temperature of the meat is 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
The cooking process will take longer if you don’t pre-cook the steak in the pan before placing it in the oven.
You will need around two hours to completely cook the steaks at 35 degrees Fahrenheit.
Why You Must Not Overcook Steaks?
You cannot make steak in a hurry just by leaving it in the oven for five to ten minutes, and now you might have an understanding that steaks will require some time to cook well.
If you think placing the steak in the oven for a longer time than required will increase the cooking, then most people advise not to do so.
Overcooking the steak will reduce the flavor, and you will observe a pink fluid leaking from the steak cut in.
How To Make Elk Steaks More Tender?
Suppose you try cooking elk steaks and find that they are hard and you want them to be more tender. So first try following the process mentioned in the article and check on the tenderness.
There are a few hacks if you need to make it more tender.
Before cooking, you can marinate the steaks and let them sit for some time. Adding a bit of vinegar during marination will help to soak the steak faster. So, after cooking, you will notice that the steaks are softer.
Alternatively, you can also try adding kosher salt to make the elk steak tender or physical tenderizing will also be useful.
We hope this article on how to cook elk steak in the oven was helpful.
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