[hadmanysons]

My father-in-law killed an elk and sent us about 25 lbs of meat. However, it's horrible (bless his heart). It tastes like someone sewed a bunch of cardboard together. Is there any way to make the meat more like beef? Tender? HELP!?!?:uhoh:

[Grizfire]

Did you try it as burger. FWIW, you can't beat tacos made with ground elk, hmmm.

You could try a tenderizer.

[Big Daddy Grim]

I agree also hit it with a meat hammer then let it marinate over night in a a marinate mix or with a little beer and season all.

[Rembrandt]

???? Elk is generally some pretty good eat'n.....either you have finicky tastes or the meat has been poorly handled.

[Sunray]

Game meat will never taste like beef. Much less fat and no assorted meds, growth hormones, etc. It's better and better for you than the best beef you can buy, if it was handled correctly in the field. Mind you, how it was shipped can make a difference too. If your pop-in-law shipped it frozen and it got thawed in transit then re-frozen, it's scrap. However, if was shipped correctly and handled properly in the field, marinate it or stew it, slowly. There are lots of game recipes on-line.

[qajaq59]

Look for a crock pot recipe.....

[exflatlander]

Go to the butcher and buy some good beef fat trimmings and grind them up with the meat.

If you still don't like the taste in hamburger form make it into chili.

[ultradoc]

load it up with terriaki sauce

[wankerjake]

I agree it may have something to do with how it was handled, but you could try jerky... I don't know that I've heard someone say they outright dislike elk meat. Also +1 for having it made into burger, you just absolutely can't go wrong with elk burger.

[dogrunner]

Have a friend that shot an old and TOUGH buffalo couple of years back. Most cuts were so tough that they'd wind up as dog food unless marinaded in an acidic mix. Best we found was a straight Coca Cola overnite soak!...........tendered it right up. Also have used straight apple juice for the same result with venison.

[cassandrasdaddy]

papaya juice will tenderize a boot

[Husker1911]

Don't overcook it. It's not beef, if you cook it to the same color as your favorite beef cut, it's long past the shoe-leather stage. Venison is naturally a redder meat than beef. Again, don't overcook.

If all else fails, send it to me! Good luck!

[pmeisel]

My never fail tough meat generic recipe:

Marinate overnight. If you like wine use that, with some seasoning (anything you like, salt & pepper is OK, I like Tony Cachere's myself). If you don't like the wine flavor, use Italian salad dressing, or vinegar and oil.

Put the meat in a crockpot, Nesco cooker, or covered roasting pan for the oven. Smother with diced tomatoes (a can or two from the dollar store) mixed with instant onion soup mix. For additional liquid you can use more wine, or beer, or coca cola.

Cook low and slow -- maybe 250 degrees for 3 or 4 hours. Make sure there is liquid, don't let it dry out.

You can adjust this to suit your taste and improve it a lot, depending on your cooking skills.

[mbt2001]

Elk is usually tasty meat, I wonder if it wasn't spoiled or something...

If it is spoiled there is nothing you can do.

[chrisb507]

Another vote for a crock-pot or long-cooking stew. A few hours on a low heat (with plenty of liquid) will soften up anything and diffuse the flavor of the meat throughout the stew...

[oregonhunter]

I prefer elk over beef, so in that case send it to me:D

[hadmanysons]

I thought I did like elk meat until this. I will try all of these. Thanks

[bang_bang]

Even though it says I live in Elk Creek, the name is a lie. Elk haven't been around this area in a while, although a few counties over, closer to the Kentucky border, some elk have been taken.

My brother was in a long distance relationship with this girl from CO. Her father sent a huge bag of jerky from an elk he had taken. That was the best jerky I have ever put in my mouth. I'd love to get my hands on elk meat, preferably from my bullet.

[hotlead]

I have had some GOOD ELK for meals. You may have got a hold of some spoiled meat. Toss it if it rank OR , jerk it. You will know when you get a bite of some good Elk or Deer meat cooked w/out nothing but a tad of salt and a couple pinches of pepper. It is good.....

[fireman 9731]

I would try marinating it in Worcestershire sauce with a lot of fresh ground black pepper. Then either grill it, or turn it into jerky with a few more seasonings.

[Monkybrainz]

crock pot or make great chillie

!. big pot
2. cube and brown meat
3. add texas style chilie mix (comes in brown box, says TEXAS style on it)
4. add 2 cans of pinto beans, 2 cans of stewd tomaters, 1 can tomater sause, garlic, celery, cilantro, and anything ya can dream of!! (its chilie dont be shy be creative)
5. cook low an slow fer a while....it'll make road kill edibale....

[Big Bill]

Make jerky out of it...

[pmeisel]

5. cook low an slow fer a while....it'll make road kill edibale....

Experience, or did someone tell you about it? :-)