Perfect Elk Meatballs Recipe with Barbeque Sauce

ByAnn Woo Stephenson
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Photos by Marie-Catherine Dubé

I love cooking with elk because it has a ton of flavor and is low in fat, making it easy on little tummies. I added breadcrumbs and egg to bind everything together and my favorite BBQ sauce for additional flavor.

From start to finish the whole thing takes less than 30 minutes and most of that time is spent in the oven.

For little ones aged 6 to 12 months old, serve as is and for the rest of the family serve over pasta with sauce for complete and filling meal. 

These also make a great appetizer served with a side of bbq sauce. You can’t go wrong with little two-bite morsels of yum!

❤️ Why You’ll Love Elk Meatballs

  • These elk meatballs have an incredibly rich flavor and are high in protein.
  • Elk has the lowest fat content among wild game meat.
  • Very minimal prep time.
  • Less than 5 ingredients.
  • Soft texture that is perfect baby led weaning recipe.
  • Dairy-free recipe and can be made gluten-free.
Photos by Marie-Catherine Dubé

🍲 Ingredients

Ground Elk – I like Force of Nature

Panko Bread Crumbs

Egg

BBQ Sauce – I like Good Food for Good

Spices: black pepper and garlic powder

👩‍🍳 How to Make Elk Meatballs

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients.

3. Gently mix the meatball ingredients until they are well combined. be careful not to overmix, as this can make the meatballs tough.

4. Grab about two tablespoons of meatball mixture and shape into 1-inch balls. 

5. Place meatballs on baking sheet over parchment paper and set in oven to cook for 25 minutes.

🪄 Tips and Tricks

  • Do not over-mix your meatball mixture. The gaminess of the elk will make it become very tough if mixed too much.
  • BBQ sauce can have many different flavor profiles. Make sure you choose one you love as it will heavily flavor your meatballs.


🗒 Substitutions

  • Use ground pork, ground beef, ground turkey or ground venison.


🗒 Best served with

  • Egg noodles, spaghetti or penne pasta.
  • As cocktail meatballs with a side dipping sauce.
Photos by Marie-Catherine Dubé

👝 How to Store Leftovers

Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up the three days or in freezer for up to three months.

🤔 Common Questions

Can I cook these over the stove?

Absolutely! Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook meatballs until cooked through, about 5-10 minutes depending on the size of your meatballs. Make sure to rotate often to ensure an even cook.

Do I have to use elk?

Not at all! Use any ground meat you prefer. These meatballs are so easy and basic and go with just about any ground meat out there.

Elk Meatballs

These elk meatballs are incredibly flavorful and filled with healthy protein. Made with ground elk meat, your favorite barbecue sauce and a few simple ingredients, you have an easy to make meatball that will have you hooked after the first bite. 
Print Pin
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Snack
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. ground elk
  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 tsp. black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1 egg
  • 2 Tbsp. bbq sauce

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients.
  • Gently mix the meatball ingredients until they are well combined. Be careful not to over-mix, as this can make the meatballs tough.
  • Grab about two tablespoons of meatball mixture and shape into 1-inch balls. 
  • Place meatballs on baking sheet over parchment paper and set in oven to cook for 25 minutes.
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