A Most Delicious Elk Burgundy

Rich and Full-Bodied Elk Burgundy – Beef bourguignon, also referred to as beef Burgundy, is a standard in French cuisine. It’s a hardy dish, traditionally made with cuts of beef braised in dry red wine, beef broth and garlic and then complemented with pearl onions, mushrooms and bacon. Julia Child described it as “one of the most delicious dishes concocted by man.” I’d have to agree.

Instead of using beef, I prefer, of course, to use elk—bottom round, top round or eye of round. But my favorite cut to use is backstrap because it starts out tender and stays that way when braising.

When you braise a piece of meat, you do two things. First you sear it at a high temperature. Then you add it to a pot where it will cook in wine and beef broth at a very low temperature until you can cut it with a fork. The liquid reduces and creates a rich sauce, or if you prefer, gravy.

Served over mashed potatoes or all on its own with sliced French bread, elk Burgundy will delight family and friends.

Rich and Full-Bodied Elk Burgundy

Heat a heavy pot over medium-high heat (I use a 7-quart enameled Dutch Oven) and cook bacon until lightly browned. Remove and drain on a paper towel. Leave bacon drippings in the pot. Sear cubed elk meat in bacon drippings until browned on all sides. Do this in batches and try not to crowd the pan. Remove meat and set aside.

Add chopped onion and garlic, then sauté until translucent. Add meat back to Dutch oven with onions. Sprinkle flour over meat and stir to coat. Place in oven uncovered for 5 minutes. Stir meat and continue to bake for 5 more minutes. Remove and reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees.

Add bacon, beef stock, brandy, red wine and tomato paste over meat mixture and gently combine ingredients. Add the thyme sprig and cover with a lid. Place pot in oven and bake for 2½ – 3 hours.

An hour before the dish is complete, melt butter in a pan over medium-high heat and sauté mushrooms until browned. Add mushrooms and pearl onions to meat mixture and continue to bake in oven for remaining time or until the meat is tender. Remove from oven and season with salt and pepper if needed.

Serve and garnish with chopped green onions.

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Rich and Full-Bodied Elk Burgundy

Made with cuts of Elk braised in dry red wine, beef broth and garlic and then complemented with pearl onions, mushrooms and bacon.

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Prep Time: 45 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours hours

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: elk bourguignon, elk burgundy, elk meat recipes

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 lbs elk backstrap, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 4 slices thick bacon, coarsely chopped
• 1 white onion, chopped
• 1 shallot, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 tbsp flour
• 2 cups beef stock
• 2 cups red wine, ideally Cabernet - or 1 cup Brandy
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 sprig of thyme
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 16 oz mushrooms, sliced
• 1 cup pearl onions, skin removed
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 4 green onions, chopped

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
• Heat a heavy pot over medium-high heat (I use a 7-quart enameled Dutch Oven) and cook bacon until lightly browned. Remove and drain on a paper towel. Leave bacon drippings in the pot. Sear cubed elk meat in bacon drippings until browned on all sides. Do this in batches and try not to crowd the pan. Remove meat and set aside.
• Add chopped onion and garlic, then sauté until translucent. Add meat back to Dutch oven with onions. Sprinkle flour over meat and stir to coat. Place in oven uncovered for 5 minutes. Stir meat and continue to bake for 5 more minutes. Remove and reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees.
• Add bacon, beef stock, brandy, red wine and tomato paste over meat mixture and gently combine ingredients. Add the thyme sprig and cover with a lid. Place pot in oven and bake for 2½ - 3 hours.
• An hour before the dish is complete, melt butter in a pan over medium-high heat and sauté mushrooms until browned. Add mushrooms and pearl onions to meat mixture and continue to bake in oven for remaining time or until the meat is tender. Remove from oven and season with salt and pepper if needed.
• Serve and garnish with chopped green onions.

Video

Notes

You can make this dish using a slow-cooker as well. Follow the procedures for searing using a cast-iron skillet. When it comes time to place the pot in the oven for 3 hours, simply use a slow-cooker and set on low for 6-8 hours or until tender.

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