Max Hale Fitness

Lean & Green

Elk / Bison

Elk or bison meatballs over sautéed mushrooms and green peppers

Reset Elk or Bison Meatballs

1 serving · Reset Lean & Green

Ingredients

  • 7 oz cooked elk or bison, formed into meatballs
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp dried basil
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp tomato paste
  • 2 tsp olive oil, divided — 2 healthy-fat servings
  • 1½ cups chopped mushrooms
  • ½ cup diced green bell pepper

Directions

  1. Combine the elk or bison with the seasonings and tomato paste.
  2. Form into meatballs.
  3. Bake at 400°F for about 12–15 minutes, or until cooked through.
  4. Sauté the mushrooms and bell pepper in the measured olive oil.
  5. Serve the meatballs over the vegetables.

Reset count: 7 oz cooked elk/bison = leanest protein + 2 healthy-fat servings. The vegetables provide your three vegetable servings. Keep the meatballs free of breadcrumbs, oats, flour, cheese, or other uncounted ingredients — each ingredient needs to sit inside the Lean, Green, condiment, and fat portions.

Bowl of Cincinnati-style elk chili with tomatoes, mushrooms, and peppers

Cincinnati-Style Elk Chili

About 6 servings · Crockpot

Cacao, cinnamon, and clove are there for depth — not to make the chili taste like chocolate or dessert. Start with the amounts below. Taste toward the end and add a tiny extra pinch of clove or cinnamon if you want more of that Cincinnati character. Elk stays the star.

Ingredients

  • 3 lb ground elk
  • 74 oz no-sugar-added diced tomatoes
  • 3 cups sliced mushrooms
  • 2 large red bell peppers, diced
  • 1 cup diced celery
  • 6 Tbsp chili powder
  • 4 tsp cumin
  • 2 Tbsp cacao
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp clove powder
  • 2 Tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 Tbsp minced garlic
  • ½ tsp sea salt
  • ½ tsp cayenne
  • Black pepper to taste

Directions

  1. Brown the elk and transfer it to the crockpot.
  2. Add all remaining ingredients.
  3. Stir thoroughly.
  4. Cook 4–6 hours on LOW or 2–3 hours on HIGH.
  5. Taste toward the end. If you want more Cincinnati character, add a tiny additional pinch of clove or cinnamon rather than a large amount.

For Lean & Green portions, keep the 7 oz cooked elk + 3 vegetable servings + 2 healthy-fat servings structure. Check cacao and spices against your condiment allowance rather than assuming unlimited amounts.