Elk burgers topped with crispy bacon smothered in bbq sauce and, oh yeah, infused with bacon! This recipe is seriously double the bacon, double the flavor, double the fun!

Elk Burger infused with bacon, topped with bacon and served with fries and a pickle spear.

I love a good burger, and it doesn’t matter if its a typical cast iron beef burger or a venison burger; slap that patty of meat between a bun, include your favorite toppings, and you have everything you want in each bite.

So meet me in the kitchen for a heck of a good time as we create just a fantastic elk burger using simple ingredients.

This is undoubtedly one of the best elk burger recipes, arguably the best burger recipe overall. But I’ll let you be the judge.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Get my full disclosure here.

Table of Contents

How to make elk burgers

Now, before you get too antsy, set the ground elk meat aside because we are going to prepare the bacon first.

Step 1: Cook the bacon in a cast-iron skillet until crispy. Cut about half the bacon into little pieces about ¼” or so thick.

Cutting bacon into small bits for the elk burger recipe.

Step 2: In a mixing bowl, combine bread crumbs, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, onion powder, paprika, and a pinch of dried parsley with the ground elk. Add the bacon bits with the meat and mix everything together well.

Elk burger seasoning in a glass bowl with the meat.

A spatula would work ok for this, or roll up those sleeves and go all in, mixing with your hands.

Step 3: Next, separate the meat and shape into four equal-sized patties. Brush each burger patty with a bit of olive oil, then add them to a hot skillet. Once the burgers have a nice sear, flip them over and continue to cook to your liking.

Step 4: Finally, check the elk burger temperature with an instant thermometer for proper cooking temperature.

Serve on a toasted bun (I brush the top of the bun lightly with butter and toast in a skillet for about 20 seconds per side).

Top the elk burgers with several slices of bacon, cover in bbq sauce, and serve with your favorite fixings.

Homemade elk burger cut in half on a wooden restaurant style platter.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Get my full disclosure here.

Hey there, if you find yourself thinking, wait a minute, I don’t have a skillet. Ah, not to worry; check out my favorite cooking skillet, plus everything else needed to make this ground elk burger recipe a success.

Helpful cooking tools

Stovetop burger tips

Tip #1 The perfect burger will have a nice crispy sear to lock in the delightful juices and flavor.

Tip #2 A hot skillet is critical in achieving the perfect stovetop burger. Not only will the flavor be affected, but placing the elk burger patty on a cool skillet that is not preheated will produce a dry, crumbly burger.

Tip #3 Cook the bacon ahead of time! Everyone likes crispy bacon, and to achieve that, you have to cook it directly on the stove, or it will end up soft and chewy. Not cool.

Tip #4 I like a little pink in the middle of my stovetop burgers. The MN Department of health recommends ground elk be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F. So keep an eye on the internal temperature.

Elk burger platter with homemade fries and a pickle spear on wooden countertop.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to add oil to the skillet for the burgers? There is no need to oil a properly seasoned skillet. However, do brush the patty with a little oil. This will eliminate any chances that the meat will stick and will give the burger a beautiful finish.

Why do I have to pre-cook the bacon? If you’re going to cook the burger through, the bacon does not necessarily need to be cooked ahead of time. However, I highly recommend cooking it before regardless, so it crisps up. Otherwise, you’ll end up with chewy bits of bacon in every bite.

Are elk burgers fatty? Elk burgers are much leaner than beef burgers, so if you are looking for higher protein and lower fat, this elk burger recipe is the way to go.

What is the best fat to add to elk burger? Beef fat is the most common, while pork fat is another good option.

How much fat should I add to my elk burger? 5-10% is usually enough fat though this is largely based on personal preference, and you can add as much as you’d like.

How do I keep my elk burger from falling apart? Again, this comes back to fat content. Adding a little bit of beef or pork fat will help hold the patty together. I will say, I have been making elk burgers for many years without adding fat and have not had any issues with them falling apart.

My favorite wild game recipes

Cooking wild game is almost always a healthier option than store-bought meat. I share a number of wild venison recipes, including how to cook backstraps and venison steaks, along with venison stew and roast recipes.

I am constantly adding to my elk meat recipe index, but for now, you can find my favorite elk steak recipe here and my elk tenderloin recipe here.

Elk meat, along with venison, is low in fat (approximately a fifth the fat of beef), low in cholesterol, and full of protein, along with several vitamins and minerals.

So if you are looking for a leaner, meaner option, give it a try!

BBQ smothered ground elk burger with bacon, tomato and a toasted bun.

Do you love bacon? Try this bacon-wrapped juicy lucy burger!

What does elk taste like

Elk meat has a flavor comparable to beef. However, the texture is leaner and has more of a rich taste to it.

It tends to be more tender than venison and, in my opinion, has almost no gamey taste. Overall it has a good flavor, regardless of how it’s served.

I hope you try this elk burger recipe, and if you do, let me know what you think in the comment section below! This is a great recipe that the whole family will enjoy!

And don’t forget to leave a review!

For more cast iron recipes, not necessarily wild game, check out some of these favorites below!