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    • Meet Elle McCoy from The Rustic Elk
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Venison, canning, and from-scratch meals made modern.

 
Tagline image that reads "Seasonal recipes, venison, and old skills made modern." This phrase represents the mission of The Rustic Elk blog, focused on canning, wild game, and from-scratch seasonal cooking.

Canning, Venison, and From-Scratch Meals Made Simple

Cook seasonally, preserve with confidence, and turn wild game into meals your family will crave.
From tender venison to pantry-stocking preserves, you'll find trusted recipes, practical skills, and rustic comfort... all rooted in the rhythms of the Midwest.

  • Venison Recipes
  • Preserve the Harvest
  • Cook from Scratch

What to Cook This Month: July Favorites from The Rustic Elk Kitchen

  • Homemade canned salsa in Ball mason jars with green bell peppers and tomatoes on a dark countertop
    Canning Salsa That Tastes Like Summer (Easy + Safe Recipe)
  • Crunchy homemade dill pickles in mason jars with garlic, dill, and pickling spices on a kitchen counter.
    Easy Homemade Dill Pickles (refrigerator or canned)
  • Ladling homemade peach bourbon jelly into a glass Weck jar with fresh peaches and bourbon in the background.
    Homemade Peach Jelly (for Canning or Freezer)
  • Tray of smoked chicken legs with crispy skin, seasoned with dry rub and grilled to golden brown on a pellet smoker.
    Smoked Chicken Legs with Crispy Skin (Easy Pellet Grill Recipe with Dry Rub)

Or Search for your favorites!

Fresh from the Kitchen

  • Close-up of tender venison Salisbury steak smothered in rich onion gravy and garnished with parsley.
    Venison Salisbury Steak with Onion Gravy
  • Fork lifting a cheesy serving of ground venison Philly skillet with red peppers, onions, and melted provolone from a cast iron pan.
    Cheesy Venison Philly Cheesesteak Casserole (Ready in 30 Minutes!)
  • Close-up of homemade vanilla bourbon peach butter in a glass jar with a spoon on top, perfect for canning or spreading on toast.
    Vanilla Bourbon Peach Butter (Easy Recipe for Canning or Freezing)
  • Close-up of juicy smoked chicken thigh with crispy skin and dry rub, garnished with fresh rosemary.
    Smoked Chicken Thighs with Mop Sauce (Juicy & Flavorful)
Persephone from The Rustic Elk canning homemade peach preserves in a real Midwest kitchen, showcasing hands-on food preservation skills and from-scratch cooking expertise.

Hey, I'm Elle!

I’m a Midwest mom of three, passionate about preserving old skills for modern kitchens. Here you’ll find trusted canning tutorials, flavorful venison recipes, and from-scratch meals inspired by the seasons. Every recipe is tested in my own kitchen and rooted in over a decade of seasonal living... from my homestead beginnings to our busy suburban life today.

If you’re ready to preserve more, cook with confidence, and feed your family well, welcome home.

More About Elle

Over 15 years of preserving experience
5 million+ blog readers | Trusted by homesteaders, hunters, and real-food families

These Tried-and-True Favorites Are Always in Season

  • Tender slow-cooked venison roast with baby potatoes and carrots, garnished with fresh herbs, served on a platter.
    Slow Cooker Venison Roast – The Best Tender Deer Pot Roast
  • Close-up of saucy smoked pork ribs on a wooden cutting board, cooked using the 3-2-1 method until tender and falling off the bone.
    Smoked Pork Ribs (the best 3-2-1 baby back ribs)
  • Homemade Christmas Jam
  • A ball of homemade pizza dough resting under a cloth on a wooden board, with a scoop of flour, rolling pin, and vintage scale in the background. A warm and rustic scene perfect for bread and pizza making.
    Easy Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe: Foolproof & Delicious

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