Increasingly, people across the country seem to be becoming more receptive to alternative types of meat. To replace beef steak, elk and buffalo are often chosen instead, as well as other types of unusual-to-most-of-us meats such as venison, wild goat, and more – even alligator. Everyone’s looking for lower fat and cholesterol with an eye to keeping protein levels at or above those offered from beef. Instead of steak, elk ranks high as a popular alternative.

In contrast to beef steak, elk steak holds fewer calories, too. A three-ounce serving of beef tenderloin contains 185 calories, while the same cut of meat from elk has only 134 calories. And the fat content? Make that a whopping nine grams for the beef steak; elk claims a mere 2 grams for the same three-ounce serving.

The difference in cholesterol levels, while not so dramatically different as that of fat, still makes a statement about the better nutritional value of elk. With the same three-ounce meat portion, cholesterol figures in at 71 milligrams for beef steak; elk has 62 milligrams. And saturated fats? How about these figures? Four grams for beef steak; elk: one gram.

Okay, so now you’re convinced that elk is better for you than beef. What about the taste? While fat is revered on beef steak, elk fat sometimes gets removed. Granted, elk has little fat, but what fat it does have sometimes gives a strong or “gamey” taste to the meat. Some people, however, prefer this taste and describe it as “rich” and “flavorful” and “unique.” It’s really up to you.

And what about cooking elk? Does it cook the same as beef steak? Elk, to retain optimum tenderness and taste, should be cooked very slowly. Braising in liquid or roasting at a low heat and basting it frequently makes for the tastiest, tenderest elk dishes.

So the next time you’re looking for an alternative to beef steak, elk should be on your list. With many elk-meat sellers on the Internet, it’s just a matter of browsing a while until you find the perfect purveyor for quick shipping and quality elk-meat products.