Chicken Fried Elk Steak

Here in Texas, you don't see herds of elk out grazing in the pastures but thanks to a recent hunting trip my husband and his friends took to Colorado, I now have elk meat in my freezer. Yay!

This Chicken Fried Elk Steak recipe is similar to my Chicken Fried Deer Steak and just as delicious! You start by marinating the steaks in buttermilk, which tenderizes the meat and helps remove the "gamey" flavor. Next, the steaks are battered in seasoned flour and egg wash before being pan fried to a golden perfection.

Since elk meat is leaner than red meat, it can overcook and become tough and dry a lot easier. That is not the case in this recipe. These pan-fried elk steaks are so tender and juicy that you can simply cut them with a fork.

Unless you're like my husband, you just can't eat chicken fried steak without gravy on top! Be sure to save your pan drippings to make my rich and creamy Southern Country Gravy to drizzle over your elk steaks.

If you love venison as much as we do, be sure to also try my Award-Winning Deer Chili, Slow Cooker Venison Stew, Venison Jalapeno Poppers, and juicy Deer Burgers Recipe!

Also, click HERE to find all my best, most popular venison recipes in one simple list!

Ingredients for Chicken Fried Elk Steak

Here is a quick overview of the ingredients used in this recipe. Measurements can be found in the recipe card below.

• Elk Steaks - backstrap, hindquarter, or tenderloin
• Buttermilk - tenderizes the meat and helps remove the "gamey" flavor
• Flour - only all-purpose flour will work for this recipe
• Seasonings - seasoned salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and salt.
• Cooking Oil - use a flavorless cooking oil like vegetable or canola oil
• Butter - added to the cooking oil for flavor and to give the steaks a golden brown color

How to Make Chicken Fried Elk Steak

Here are the steps and process images for how to make this recipe. More detailed instructions can be found in the recipe card below.

• Start by laying the elk steaks flat between 2 sheets of plastic wrap. Using a meat mallet, tenderize and flatten to ¼-inch thickness. (Be careful not to tear the meat.)

• Pour buttermilk (reserving 1 ½ cups for the batter) into a shallow bowl or container. Place steaks into the buttermilk, making sure they are completely covered, and store in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 2 hours.

• In a medium bowl or small pan, mix flour, seasoned salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and salt together until well incorporated.

• In another medium bowl or small pan, whisk the egg and 1 ½ cups of buttermilk together until well combined.

• Remove steaks from the buttermilk one by one, allowing excess buttermilk to drip off. Coat both sides of the steaks in the flour mixture...

• Then in the egg wash...

• Then back into the flour mixture.

• Set steaks aside for 15 minutes to allow the batter to set.

• Pour canola or vegetable oil into a large skillet until ½-inch deep. Add butter and place skillet over Medium heat. When butter has melted and oil has reached 350°F, you're ready to fry!

• Fry 2-3 steaks at a time, 2 to 3 minutes on the first side, until blood starts to surface.

• Flip over and fry for 1 to 2 more minutes until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (don't overcook!).

• Remove fried steaks and place on a paper towel lined plate. Cover with foil to keep warm until ready to serve.

• Save the pan drippings to make my Country Cream Gravy to drizzle over your chicken fried elk steaks. Serve and enjoy!

Substitutions

If you don't have elk meat on hand but still want to make this recipe, deer meat can be used instead.

Equipment

• Tenderizing Meat Mallet - Since elk meat is so lean, it needs to be tenderized for this recipe. Be sure to flatten the steak to ¼-inch thickness to ensure a tender texture.
• Large Skillet - A cast-iron skillet works best for pan-frying meat but any heavy skillet will do.

Storage

Store leftover steaks in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

Other Recipes You'll Love!

• Country Cream Gravy
• Chicken Fried Deer Steak
• Award-Winning Deer Chili
• Slow Cooker Venison Stew
• Juicy Deer Burgers
• Venison Jalapeno Poppers

Be sure to check out all my best, most popular venison recipes in one simple list!

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