Elk Eye Burger

[Smoke Dawg]

There is a Throwdown going on “2016 July Burger Blowout”
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=232740
And I have a hankering for Elk Burgers. The last time they kind of fell apart because the meat was too lean even though we ground in some Bacon ends – Just not enough.
Follow along and see what we did to fatten it up to stay together and taste wonderful.
Disclaimer that it will take two posts to get it all in. the first is the cook and the second is the burger build. Here we go!

Start with most of the players. I did forget to show a few items but they will make their appearance.

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You always need Bacon so I got a couple of thick sliced bacon weaves and some ½ slices on the GMG. Bacon and Smoke is a very good smell!

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Here is the magic addition. Fatty trimmings from a Rib Eye we cut into steaks but it had an excessive amount of fat to be trimmed.

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Used the Kitchen Aid grinder attachment for this small amount. Here is the Ground Fatty Goodness

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Here is the ground Elk that already has a small amount of Bacon ends in it.

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Re-ground the Rib Eye Fat and Elk together and made it up into four good sized patties and off to the freezer for a quick chill. I’ll call it Elk Eye Burgers!

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Got some poppers going, mostly Jalapenos and a few Fresno’s with Cream Cheese, Bacon, and Cheddar cheese.

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Here’s the burger grilling hardware a #14 CI 15-1/4” pan. One of my favorites

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It is seasoned up pretty good

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Got some onions grilling up in Butter. Nice tender grilling not burnt up

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Coals are ready in the kettle

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Melt down some Bacon grease to start

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Get the pan good and hot

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And the Burgers are on. Won’t take long at > 700°

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Almost ready to flip

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Flip for side #2 to grill up

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Two slices of Provolone on each Pattie and cover to melt up

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Burgers are done!

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Thanks for lookin at the cooking part of this meal. The Burger build is coming up right away
SD

 

[ssv3]

Smoke Dizzle!! Love the thread bro. Always love your drink choices also BTW. :thumb: Waiting on the assembled pics.

I always add fat to game meat and it's the best of both worlds as you already know.

 

[cowgirl]

You're killin me! Elk is one of my favorites. Looks amazing as is, you don't even need to add a bun, I'd eat mine like that. Well done Sir!

 

[Smoke Dawg]

Part 2 The Build

Here is Part 2 of the Elk Eye Burger build. Thanks for coming along for the journey!


We’ll get right to it. Start with Toasted Onion buns. There were fresh and super soft. And big!

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Mayo and Mustard of course. This Portland Mustard is real good as is their Ketchup

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The Bacon Weave! There will be Bacon in EVERY Bite!

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Avocado slices

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The main attraction – The Elk Burger with Bacon ends and Rib Eye Fatty Goodness. Now called the Elk Eye Burger.

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The Jalapeno Poppers

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Grilled Onions

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Hot Mama Pickles with Jalapeno slices

I could stop right here and just eat

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But just add Lettuce and sliced onion

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And the lid goes on!

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This Big Ole Elk Eye Burger is ready to Eat

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But first…………………………………………… The Smash!

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It’s a two hander so I gotta cut it in half

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Closer look

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And the other side

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And Eat!

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This was one of the best Burgers I have had. You could taste the Elk, and the added fattiness from the Rib Eye (I gotta do this again). There was Bacon in every bite, the cream cheese and slight heat from the Poppers, the Provolone, onion both grilled and raw, the tender toasted onion bun, and those Hot Mama pickles set it off. This thing was a party in my mouth for sure.

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And I ate it all! – Time for a Nap!
Thanks for Lookin
SD

 

[ssv3]

My kinda burger. Outstanding brother!

Oh... and beer.

 

[Smoke Dawg]

Thanks Neighbors! That is funny that you two were the first to respond!

Had one picture that would not load and it took me awhile to figure out which one

Kinda slow being all full right now!

 

[cowgirl]

Wow! That's a thing of beauty. Outstanding Neighbor!!

 

[ssv3]

Thanks Neighbors! That is funny that you two were the first to respond!

Had one picture that would not load and it took me awhile to figure out which one

Kinda slow being all full right now!

Happens. If I had a burger out bounds like that it'd take me a while to focus. :thumb:

 

[2000milesofsmoke]

Well done Sir.

 

[jsperk]

Great looking burgers. This like the third burger post I have seen this evening. I definitely have to do burgers this weekend.

 

[Big George's BBQ]

Outstanding I will be glad to take the other half if still there That looks fantastic

 

[Smoke on Badger Mountain]

That is totally freaking fantastic! Elk is in my top three for sure. That is a great post. Thanks for sharing. I am a fanatic for elk steaks. Never had it as burger but I would sure eat one of those.

 

[Titch]

That looks very Fine.
Does Elk taste Like Beef?
I was expecting eyes in the Burger

 

[Sleepy Smoker]

I've never had elk before and I think I might be missing out. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Smoke Dawg]

Thanks everyone - Elk is much leaner than beef. It tastes closer to Bison than beef but a little gamey - not as much as venison.

I like Elk steak but it does not have the rich flavor you get with beef because of the fat that tastes so good on beef. You don't want to eat elk fat - it is super greasy and coats the roof of your mount 1,000 time more than a greasy strudel.

I have always added fatty pork or bacon ends to my ground elk but the fat from the Rib Eye was so much better. you could taste both the lean Elk and fatty goodness of the Rib Eye

 

[KORND4WG X]

Awesome cook. I think I could eat a patty of that ribeye fat :grin:

 

[ShadowDriver]

That's a thing of beauty!

 

[Inthewoods]

Looks Fantastic! I'll have try the ribeye grind!
-D

 

[Stingerhook]

I'd devour that without all the fixin's. Nice burger.

 

[Al Czervik]

Mic drop... SD has left the building. :hungry: