Recipe: Crispy Orange Elk

by
posted on February 27, 2021
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
recipe-crispy-orange-elk_lead.jpg

A hot rice bowl is an excellent idea for lunch, dinner or hunting camp after a long day afield. Extra meat and flavorful sauce are hard to beat. Vegetables could be added to this recipe, but tangy orange meat, fried with a crisp edge, can easily stand alone.

This recipe works well with any wild game, and experimenting will make it better every time the dish is prepared. From goose to moose, it is sure to please. Make extra, as the sauce and meat reheat well for a quick meal of leftovers. To ensure the meat stays tender, do not overcook it in the frying oil.

Ingredients
• 2 lbs. elk sirloin or round roast
• 2 Tbsp soy sauce
• 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
• ⅓ cup cornstarch
• ⅓ cup rice flour
• 4 cups of oil, for frying 

Directions
1. Cut meat into strips ½-inch wide and 2 inches long. Add soy sauce and oil to the meat pieces and toss to coat evenly.

2. Mix the starch and flour in a sealable bag or container and add meat pieces. Toss to coat the meat evenly.

3. Using a wire rack on a cookie sheet, spread the meat pieces out in a single layer. Freeze for 45 minutes. A quick freeze will dry the meat and make it crispy when fried.

4. Heat the oil in a large Camp Chef cast-iron pan or Dutch oven. Bring oil to 375°F and add small batches of meat so they are not touching. Fry until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes, depending on size. Continue cooking in small batches until all the meat is fried.

Sauce Ingredients
• 2 Tbsp cornstarch
• ⅔ cup fresh orange juice
• juice from 1 lemon
• 3 Tbsp molasses
• 1 Tbsp rice vinegar
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced
• ¼ cup of orange zest

Garnish
• ¼ cup green onion, finely chopped
• 2 Tbsp sesame seeds, toasted 

Directions
1. In a medium saucepan, combine all sauce ingredients and whisk them together while being brought to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until thickened (about 3 minutes).

2. Place the cooked meat in a serving bowl and pour the sauce overtop. Toss to coat all pieces, then garnish with green onion and sesame seeds. Serve with rice.

For more delicious wild-game recipes, click here.

Latest

2W H2026 03 Hardware W3772 TAH 9510Lead
2W H2026 03 Hardware W3772 TAH 9510Lead

Hardware Review: Christensen Arms Evoke .375 H&H

A .375 H&H Magnum for less than $1,000 is a win for hunters on any continent, especially when it comes packed with features and has the sub-MOA accuracy potential of the American-made Evoke from Christensen Arms.

New for 2026: Avian-X Waterfowl Backpacks

Expanding its assortment to include soft goods in 2026, waterfowl brand Avian-X has announced an all-new lineup of packs specifically designed to keep waterfowl hunters organized, mobile and ready for anything.

Behind the Bullet: The .308 Norma Magnum

Norma’s ballistician Nils Kvale saw the wisdom of having the velocity and horsepower of the .300 H&H Magnum, but in a shorter, more affordable receiver, and used the H&H case to develop his .358 Norma Magnum in 1959 as well as the .308 Norma Magnum one year later. The .308 Norma Magnum closely resembles the wildcat .30-338 cartridge, though the shoulder of the former is located a bit more toward the base than that of the .308 Norma Magnum. Intrigued? Read on about this often unfairly overlooked hunting classic.

New for 2026: Browning Trail Cameras Defender Pro Scout Max HD-DV

The Defender Pro Scout Max HD-DV, from Browning Trail Cameras, promises direct video transmission and streamlined setup without adding complexity.

Is Wildcatting Right for You?

Dennis Bradley explores the potential benefits of going with a wildcat cartridge, using the .375 Raptor as a case study.

New for 2026: The Chiappa M1-22 Bushranger

Chiappa Firearms expands its rimfire lineup with the introduction of the Bushranger M1-22 Semi-Auto, a .22 LR rifle built to bridge familiar sporting ergonomics with modern accessory capability. The Bushranger is intended for recreational shooting, skill development and range use, but could also excel in the hands of any small game or varmint hunter.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.