Elk Meat

An Overview of the Process of How Elk Meat Travels From the Woods to the Dinner Plate

The arrival of elk meat on our dinner plates is often taken for granted and yet it is a fascinating journey that begins in the wilds of nature before culminating in the kitchens of restaurants and homes alike. From an ethical, environmental, and nutritional perspective, elk meat is gaining greater attention, curiosity, and respect. For example, elk meat is an excellent source of protein, often providing up to 91.2% lean fat-free protein content (1). The elk’s appearance on our dinner plates is nothing short of a journey of innovation, audacious adaptation of the current market changes and delivery of the highest standards of quality.

To understand the complexity of the elk’s journey to the dinner plate, one must first understand the processes involved in creating elk meat. Elks are hunted according to the state’s regulations, depending on the region of where it is found. In North America, most of states that carry elk hunting regulations require hunters to complete a series of educational classes, licensing tests and field tests in order to be eligible to hunt (2). To ensure a safe and sustainable industry, most states also impose either-sex and bull-only regulations, with an established limit of the number of elk that can be harvested in each season (3).

Once the hunt is successful and a healthy elk is harvested, the animal is brought back to the base camp or landed at a butcher shop. Doing so entails using the correct transport, storage, and preparation methods. This stage plays a major role in the taste of the meat, as improper handling of the game could negatively affect its quality.

The first step in transporting the elk is to properly cool the meat. This can be achieved through immersion in a large cooler with small to medium-sized pieces of ice. The next step is to hang the animal in an area that is out of direct sunlight and is well ventilated. This allows the heat of the animal to disperse within a cold environment. Additionally, the skinning and field dressing of the elk should also begin immediately in order to reduce the risk of contamination. In particular, skinning or gutting the animal can help minimize the temperature caused by the meat being exposed to air, as well as prevent bacterial contamination.

After successfully transporting and cooling the animal, the elk carcass is transported to a USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) inspected butcher shop. At the butcher shop, the animal is inspected for quality, freshness and general health concerns in accordance with department regulations. After passing the inspection, the butcher then begins the process of meat processing.

During the processing stage, the elk is typically separated into cuts which include both the primary and secondary cuts. The primary cuts consist of the basic eight cuts and are further segmented into smaller cuts of steaks, roasts, etc. The secondary cuts are commonly referred to as ‘trim’, and are used to make sausages, ground meats, and jerky.

The butcher then labels and packages the meat with clear information regarding the type of meat, origin and weight before sending it to the food retailer who orders it. Typically, the retailer provides the final deboning and portioning of the meat, followed by packaging and labeling. This is when the meat is ready to be sold and distributed to the public.

It is also important to note that enhanced elk meat is also available at retail stores. This is elk meat that has been injected with a solution of phosphates, salts, buffers and flavorants (4). This added process increases the water-holding capacity and shelf-life of the product, as well as improves its texture, taste, and juiciness.

Now that the elk meat has gone full circle from the process of harvesting and preparing, one must examine how it arrives to the consumer’s table. Quality elk meat can typically be purchased in supermarkets, butcher shops, specialty shops, or online marketplaces. For those interested in purchasing elk meat, the initial step is to research and find a reliable source. The label on elk meat should provide basic information about the product, including the type of elk (whether it is bull, cow, calf) and age. Sources that typically use sustainable and humane practices are usually the best. Besides, it is also wise to ask questions and learn about how the elk is handled and processed, from the game itself to the butchering and transportation.

The final stage is, of course, preparation. As elk meat is usually much leaner than beef, the main challenge lies in keeping the meat tender and moist during the cooking process (5). So, to ensure juicy and flavorful results, the use of low-medium heat, avoiding extremely high temperatures and adding unprocessed fats to the cooking process, like butter or oil, is recommended. Elk being cooked over a grill is also a great way to keep the juiciness while adding excellent flavor to the meat.

To conclude, elk meat has a long and remarkable journey before arriving to our dinner tables. From its harvesting and processing, to its transportation and preparation, there are many steps in ensuring quality and environmental sustainability — something that mustn’t be taken for granted. Being mindful of such a process pays off in an intense satisfaction of the final dish, be it in the form of a steak, a burger or a pot roast, in the end, elk meat promises a nutritious and memorable meal.

References

1. McLane, B. (2017, September 08). Buying & Preparing Elk Meat. Retrieved April 09, 2021, from https://www.elkamerica.com/elk-meat/buying-preparing-elk-meat/

2. Miller, L. (2018, June 18). Learning How to Hunt Elk. Retrieved April 09, 2021, from https://www.elkamerica.com/learning-how-to-hunt-elk/

3. How to Hunt Elk in Wyoming. (2020). Retrieved April 09, 2021, from https://www.travelwyoming.com/story/How-to-Hunt-Elk-in-Wyoming/1446

4. Lehman, T. (2020, June 30). The Incredible Journey of Elk Meat (From the Rockies). Retrieved April 09, 2021, from https://forwild.org/columns/elk-meat/

5. Coates, C. (2019, November 04). Elk Meat Cooking Tips. Retrieved April 09, 2021, from http://www.ak-elks.org/2019/11/elk-meat-cooking-tips/