You’ll think you’re dining at a mountainside restaurant in Wyoming with these succulent grilled elk chops. They are encrusted with a juniper berry and thyme crust to vividly accentuate the red meat’s subtle sweetness and dressed with juniper pickled onions for a sweet acidic bite.
4.15 from 14 votes
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By Christie Vanover | Published June 1, 2016 | Last Updated February 16, 2023

You’ll think you’re dining at a mountainside restaurant in Wyoming with these succulent grilled elk chops. They are encrusted with a juniper berry and thyme crust to vividly accentuate the red meat’s subtle sweetness and dressed with juniper pickled onions for a sweet acidic bite.

two elk chops topped with pickled red onions on a slate tile

Elk is definitely something you should try sometime in your life. It cooks up similar to a beef steak, but it’s leaner so you want to make sure you don’t overcook it. A couple of minutes on a flaming hot grill is all it takes.

two elk chops grilling on a grill

Whenever I’m in Jackson Hole, I stop by Local Butcher. They carry a variety of fresh elk chops and sausages. A few years ago, the butcher recommended I add crushed juniper berries to my rub to complement the chops. He was spot on with his advice.

two elk chops topped with pickled red onions on a slate tile

Grilled Elk Chops with Juniper Pickled Onions

You’ll think you’re dining at a mountainside restaurant in Wyoming with these succulent grilled elk chops. They are encrusted with a juniper berry and thyme crust to vividly accentuate the red meat’s subtle sweetness and dressed with juniper pickled onions for a sweet acidic bite.
Recipe by Christie Vanover
4.15 from 14 votes
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings 2
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Ingredients
 

  • 2 8-ounce elk chops
  • 2 tbsps olive oil
  • 1 tbsp juniper berries
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp fresh cracked black pepper

Juniper Pickled Onions

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp juniper berries
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp fresh cracked black pepper
  • 1 red onion thinly sliced

Instructions
 

  • Rub each elk chop with about one tablespoon of olive oil. Coarsely chop the juniper berries and thyme and sprinkle on the chops along with the salt and pepper. Let rest for 45 minutes. You can make the Juniper Pickled Onions and heat the grill to 500 degrees during this time.
  • Place the steaks on a 500-degree grill over direct heat. Grill for two minutes. Rotate a quarter turn and grill for two minutes. Flip and grill for two more minutes.
  • Remove from the grill and let rest for 10 minutes. Top with Juniper Pickled Onions and a few fresh thyme leaves.

Juniper Pickled Onions

  • In a saucepot, combine all of the ingredients except for the onions. Heat over high heat, until the sugar is dissolved. Add the onions, turn off the heat, and let steep while the elk is marinating and cooking.

Nutrition

Calories: 650kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 53gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 124mgSodium: 1888mgPotassium: 809mgFiber: 1gSugar: 52gVitamin A: 165IUVitamin C: 9.7mgCalcium: 44mgIron: 7.1mg

This estimate was created using an online nutrition calculator

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