elk meatloaf green chiles

elk meatloaf

Dinner Ideas

Elk meat is perfect for elk meatloaf recipes. This super healthy tasty elk meatloaf recipe is a favorite dinner idea. Venison meat is powerfully healthy!

Sometimes we just get stale when thinking of dinner ideas. Especially if you’re cooking more in your kitchen during this pandemic of Covid 19. And, most of the world in 2020 is cooking more at home. That’s a good thing because home cooking is always the best. Knowing what ingredients are going into your food means you’re in control. And, if you’re looking for inspiration for new dinner ideas, then maybe venison is on the menu. Sometimes when I can source venison, especially ground venison, I’ll happily create new dinner ideas. 

Venison

When we’re spending time in Colorado it’s really easy to find venison meat, organic and natural, at grocery stores and farmers’ markets. However, if you’re not able to find it locally, you can always order online and have it shipped. It’s worth the adventure and trying something different. That’s why so cool about food. Take the risk and try something new!

What exactly is venison? According to some of my research on the Internet, venison is basically meat of deer or antelope. But, venison also can be meat from moose and reindeer. 

Here’s what Wiki describes venison as: Venison originally meant the meat of a game animal but now refers primarily to the meat of elk, deer, or antelope (in South Africa). Venison can be used to refer to any part of the animal, so long as it can be consumed, including the internal organs.

Elk Recipes

Elk recipes may not be the most searched on the Internet nor the most abundant when you search. But, it should be.  Elk meat is healthy. It’s good for you. It’s also very tender and doesn’t need marinating. Plus, if you get the farm-raised, you don’t have the ‘gamey’ taste that may turn off your tastebuds! Now this elk meatloaf & green chiles is just fabulous with some creamy mashed potatoes, maybe some green peas or green beans. The ultimate in comfort food!

Here’re just a few reasons why you might want to check out elk meat and elk recipes.

  • Elk is high in lean protein
  • Elk (3 ounce serving) has 7 grams of fat and 18 grams of protein
  • Compared to most beef, elk is higher in protein and lower in fat per 3-ounce serving

Another great reason to check out elk recipes is that elk meat, besides less fat, it’s lower in cholesterol (per equal serving) than veal, chicken, beef or pork. And, if you’re talking about ‘fat’ in elk recipes then we’re talking ‘healthy fat’, Omega 3. Throw in the iron, magnesium, phosphours, potassium and zinc, and, well, you know you’re eating healthy and healthIER.  

Meatloaf Recipes

Meatloaf recipes typically use ground meat, and this ground meat for meatloaf recipes is popularly beef and pork. You’ll also find meatloaf recipes with ground turkey and chicken. However, if you get a tad bit adventurous, you’ll venture into ground elk, venison or even bison. 

Among avid hunters, elk is one of the best wild-game meats. Elk has little to no gamey flavor and that makes it perfect for meatloaf recipes. You’ll use elk basically the same way you would beef. So why not add something actually healthier to your next meatloaf recipe. 

If you’re looking for a few more of my best meatloaf recipes, then check out my Grandma’s Cajun Meatloaf!

Quinoa

Oh, yeah, one more health booster in this meatloaf recipe. Quinoa! Yes, I usually keep some cooked quinoa in my refrigerator for using in recipes, tossing in salads and more. So, adding this quinoa is another bonus. 

Quinoa is a seed that’s eaten like a grain. Rather than using something like rice or oatmeal in this recipe, you’ll never know that healthy quinoa is in there adding subtle delicious texture to this meatloaf recipe. 

elk meatloaf
 
 

elk meatloaf

elk meatloaf green chiles

Yield: 4-6 servings

Elk meat is perfect for elk meatloaf recipes. This super healthy tasty elk meatloaf recipe is a favorite dinner idea. Venison meat is powerfully healthy!

Ingredients

  • Preheat oven to 350
  • 1 lb. ground elk (or you can use the more traditional beef or bison)
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. Italian seasoning, dried
  • 1 tsp. onion powder
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1/3 cup flat parsley, roughly chopped
  • ¾ cup quinoa, cooked 
  • 2 tsp. garlic, minced
  • 1 Tbl. hot sauce 
  • 3 Tbl. Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 cup Italian bread crumbs
  • 1/3 cup chopped tomatoes, drained
  • ¼ cup fire-roasted green chiles, drained

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine the elk, salt, Italian seasoning, onion powder, eggs, parsley, quinoa, garlic, hot sauce Worcestershire sauce and bread crumbs. Using your clean little hands, blend all together well—this could take a few minutes.

Put into a baking dish and shape into a loaf. On the top make about a 1/3 inch deep cavity, like a trough, leaving the sides higher. Put the chopped tomatoes in this trough then top with the chiles.

Cover loosely with doubled foil and bake in a preheated 375 oven for about 40 minutes. Remove the foil and cook another 10-15 minutes letting the top brown and the tomatoes/chiles char just a tad.

Remove, let rest about 5 minutes, then serve and enjoy!

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elk meatloaf

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4 Comments

  1. Just wanted to let you know I made this and it was delicious, will definitely make it again! The only change I made was that I doubled the garlic and Italian seasoning. Thanks for the recipe, looking forward to next time!

    1. Dearest Lynn! You’ve made my week, luv! Thank you! And, you’re a seasoned home cook (I can tell!). You’ve tweaked to make it better for your tastebuds, and that’s awesome! If you haven’t tried some of my other meatloaf recipes, take a look. And, I love meatballs, which to me are just small round baby ‘meatloafs’ (lol!), so you could certainly adapt those recipes! I look forward to hearing from you often! Thanks so very much! xox ~ally
      https://allyskitchen.com/?s=meatloaf
      https://allyskitchen.com/?s=meatballs

  2. Merry Graham says:

    Save me a plate-full! Looks so delicious. I have not tried elk ~ I’ll put it on my bucket list!

    1. Mare! You’ll luv it!Whip up some mashed taters w/it and some peas…comfort food xox luv ya!

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