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Wild Table

The kitchen has always been where stories are passed down.

Over simmering pots, fresh bread, summer peaches, holiday cookies, and one more glass of wine than anyone planned.

These are the recipes I return to, the drinks that mark a season, and the meals that have become part of my family's story. I hope they'll find a place in yours, too.

Canning + Preserving

  • jar of homemade pickled ramps with fresh wild ramps on a dark wooden surface
    Easy Pickled Ramps Recipe (How to Preserve Wild Leeks)
  • Fork lifting golden pickled daikon radish from glass jar with turmeric brine
    Golden Honey Pickled Daikon Radish (Sweet & Spicy Refrigerator Pickles)
  • Jar of homemade napa cabbage kimchi fermenting with chili paste, garlic, and vegetables.
    How to Make Kimchi at Home (Easy Napa Cabbage Kimchi Recipe)
  • Pressure-canned Mississippi pot roast in a quart jar with beef, onions, and pepperoncini peppers
    Canning Mississippi Pot Roast
See more Canning + Preserving →

Everyday Meals

  • Smoked barbacoa shredded beef on a black platter with lime wedges, corn tortillas, and chipotle braising juices
    Best Smoked Barbacoa Recipe
  • 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)
  • A warm and inviting bowl of hearty fall vegetable beef soup, filled with tender beef chunks, garden-fresh vegetables, and a rich broth. The soup is garnished with fresh herbs and served in a rustic bowl, with vibrant carrots and garlic resting nearby on a light-colored surface, creating a cozy and comforting autumn-inspired scene.
    Hearty Fall Vegetable Beef Soup with Garden Vegetables
  • A rustic bowl of pastina soup with fresh herbs and grated Parmesan, styled on a dark wooden table. The soup is surrounded by scattered dry pastina, lemon slices, and fresh parsley for a cozy and inviting presentation.
    Quick and Easy Pastina Soup | Italian Penicillin Soup
See more Everyday Meals →

Wild Game Recipes

  • 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!)
  • Grilled venison kabobs with zucchini, red onion, bell pepper, and summer vegetables on metal skewers.
    Grilled Venison Kabobs with Summer Veggies
  • A rustic plate of tender, shredded corned venison served with roasted potatoes, sautéed cabbage, and baby carrots. The meat glistens with spices and mustard seeds, creating a hearty, comforting dish with a warm, moody aesthetic.
    Corned Venison Recipe (A Bold, Wild Twist on Corned Beef)
See more Wild Game Recipes →

Sides + Sauces

  • spoonful of wild ramp pesto with pecans over glass jar showing texture.
    Wild Ramp Pesto with Pecans (A Wild Spring Staple)
  • Large cast iron skillet full of smoked mac and cheese topped with freshly grated cheese and crumbled bacon
    Ultimate Easy to Make Smoked Mac and Cheese Recipe
  • Smoked corn on the cob brushed with chili lime butter, served with fresh lime slices and red pepper flakes on a wooden board.
    Best Smoked Corn on the Cob Recipe
  • Grilled potatoes coated in seasoning and parmesan cheese laid out on a plate.
    Best Easy Grilled Potatoes Recipe
See more Sides + Sauces →

Narrow your search:

Bread + Dough
Cocktails
Desserts + Treats
Everyday Meals
Pantry Staples
Sides + Sauces
Wild Fish + Seafood
Wild Game Recipes
Wild Mushroom Recipes
  • Fresh peach margaritas made with real peach puree and reposado tequila, served in coupe glasses with Tajín rims and fresh peach garnishes.
    Fresh Peach Margarita (Made with Real Peaches)
  • Close-up of a strawberry lemon drop martini in a coupe glass with a sugared rim and fresh strawberry garnish, photographed against a dark moody background.
    Strawberry Lemon Drop Martini (Easy Summer Cocktail Recipe)
  • A glass of homemade Irish cream liqueur served over ice in a moody forest-print tumbler, with warm lighting and cozy, rustic background elements.
    Homemade Irish Cream Recipe (Better than Store-bought)
  • 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
  • Venison burger on a brioche bun topped with condiments, tomato, lettuce, and onion.
    The Best Venison Burger Recipe | Juicy Deer Burgers
  • A rustic display featuring a log of sliced venison summer sausage on a dark slate surface. The sausage, with its rich, deep red color, is accompanied by neatly arranged slices of cheddar and white cheese. A few round slices of the summer sausage are placed beside the log, highlighting its texture. The scene is accented with a sprinkle of coarse salt, adding a touch of rustic charm to the composition.
    Homemade Venison Summer Sausage Recipe (Smoked & Savory)
  • Two small glass jars filled with golden dandelion-infused honey, one with a honey dipper dripping amber sweetness. Dried chamomile and a soft golden cloth add a cozy, seasonal touch to the rustic dark wood background.
    Dandelion Honey
  • Close-up of tender, sliced venison steak served on a rustic plate with mashed potatoes and garnished with fresh rosemary and a sprinkle of salt. The warm, hearty meal is set against a dark, textured background.
    Perfect Marinated Venison Steaks | How to Cook Deer Steak
  • 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)
  • Spring honey cake with lemon buttercream frosting topped with lemon zest and fresh lemon slices on a wooden cake stand.
    Honey Cake with Lemon Buttercream
  • A rustic close-up shot of homemade venison jerky pieces scattered on a dark slate surface. The jerky, showcasing rich shades of brown and red, has a slightly glossy texture. Fresh red chili peppers are placed in the background, adding a vibrant splash of color and hinting at the spiciness of the jerky. Sprinkled coarse salt enhances the visual appeal, while the overall composition exudes a warm and inviting atmosphere, perfect for food enthusiasts.
    Homemade Venison Jerky Recipe (Easy & Flavorful!)
  • Pan-fried deer heart slices garnished with fresh parsley on a black plate, showcasing a rustic and adventurous dish.
    Easy Pan-Fried Deer Heart Recipe
  • Bowl of hearty venison chili with kidney beans, topped with shredded cheese and green onions, served in a black bowl on a dark plate.
    Best Venison Chili Recipe (Hearty & Flavorful)
  • Easy Canned Venison Recipe
  • A close-up shot of smoked venison jerky pieces arranged artfully on a dark slate surface, surrounded by fresh rosemary and vibrant red chili peppers. The jerky exhibits rich, deep brown and reddish tones, highlighting its smoky texture. The sprigs of rosemary add a touch of greenery, enhancing the rustic and inviting feel of the composition, perfect for showcasing the savory appeal of homemade jerky.
    How to Make Smoked Venison Jerky
  • Raising Geese on The Homestead
  • Braised Rabbit in Cream Sauce
  • Venison stroganoff in a skillet on a table.
    Creamy Venison Stroganoff Recipe with Mushrooms
  • Easy Ground Venison Shepherd's Pie Recipe
  • Perfectly seared medium-rare venison steak on a rustic cutting board with rosemary and flaky salt.
    How to Cook Venison So It Actually Tastes Good
  • Photo of roast duck topped with fresh thyme sitting on a cutting board.
    Best Honey Roast Duck Recipe | Whole Roasted Duck
  • Sous vide venison roast sliced on a cutting board with au jus.
    Sous Vide Venison Roast
  • Fried bluegill on a plate
    Pan-Fried Bluegill Recipe
  • The Ultimate Guide to Game Meats
  • Three ground venison tacos in warm tortillas topped with tomatoes, cilantro, and cheese, surrounded by lime and avocado on a dark rustic background.
    Easy Venison Tacos Recipe Using Ground Meat
  • How to Cook Venison Liver
  • Venison Fat & Rendering Deer Tallow
  • Jars of venison bone broth on a counter
    How to Make Venison Bone Broth | Deer Stock Recipe
  • Venison bolognese plated on top of spaghetti and topped with fresh basil leaves.
    The Best Venison Bolognese | Classic Meat Sauce
  • Baked venison enchiladas topped with melted cheese and sliced jalapeños in a glass pan.
    Cheesy Venison Enchiladas with Homemade Red Sauce
  • Slice of venison lasagna on a white plate topped with two fresh basil leaves and shredded parmesan cheese.
    Venison Lasagna
  • Crab roll on a plate with lemon and bowl of crab roll mixture in the background.
    The Best Crab Roll Recipe
  • Hearty venison stew in a white bowl topped with parsley and surrounded by a green towel and fresh garlic
    Ultimate Hearty Venison Stew
  • Smoked and sliced venison backstrap on a cutting board.
    The Best Venison Backstrap Recipes
  • Venison meatloaf topped with a tangy sauce sitting on a serving board.
    Easy Classic Venison Meatloaf with Ground Deer Meat
  • A glass jar filled with pressure-canned mini bella mushrooms, with a fork lifting mushrooms from the jar; whole mushrooms and jars blurred in the background.
    Canning Mushrooms (Sliced or Whole) the Safe + Simple Way
  • Smoked lobster tails on a serving board
    Smoked Lobster Tails
  • Three rabbit tacos laid on a table ready to be served.
    Easy Rabbit Tacos Recipe
  • Grilled rabbit ready to be cut and served
    The Best Garlic Herb Grilled Rabbit Recipe
  • Venison fajitas filling in a cast iron skillet
    Venison Fajitas | How to Make Deer Steak Fajitas

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About

Elle McCoy, author of The Rustic Elk, with long wavy hair reflected in an ornate vintage mirror, sitting at a candlelit vanity with makeup brushes, perfume, and dried flowers.

I'm Elle,

the voice behind The Rustic Elk. I believe every place has a story and every season has something worth noticing. This is my journal of food, travel, books, photography, and a life spent looking a little closer.


→ Meet Elle

Currently...

📖 Reading: We Used to Live Here
🎵 Listening: Church Bells + Cicadas
🍸 Savoring: Fresh Peach Margaritas
🌿 Growing: My Curiosity
🗺️ Planning: Salem, MA
📺 Watching: Oddity

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  • Fresh peach margaritas made with real peach puree and reposado tequila, served in coupe glasses with Tajín rims and fresh peach garnishes.
    Fresh Peach Margarita (Made with Real Peaches)
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"If we are not remembered, we are more than dead, for it is as if we had never lived." Karen Maitland

Found Along the Way

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Apparently, my entire personality now fits on one coffee mug. Magic. Coffee. Cats. I can't really argue with it.

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