Squirrels are a game of prey found in some parts of Europe, but in the United States you have to hunt yourself if you want to eat a squirrel. Squirrel meat is dense in texture with a much more savory taste than rabbit or chicken. Old squirrel meat is best when cooked long and slow. If you have freshly cleaned squirrel meat, try one of these delicious cooking methods: fry, boil, or roast.
Ingredients
Fried Squirrel
- 2 cleaned squirrels, cut
- Salt and pepper
- 1 cup flour
- 2/1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- Cooking oil
Boiled Squirrel
- 1 cleaned squirrel, cut into 4 centimeters
- 2/1 cup flour
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Water
- 1 tbsp thyme
- 1 cup potatoes, cut into 4 centimeters
- 1 cup fresh corn kernels
- 2 onions, chopped
- 2 cups canned chopped juicy tomatoes
- Salt and pepper
Grilled Squirrel
- 1 or more cleaned squirrels, each cut into quarters
- Salt
- Water
- Salt and pepper
Step
Method 1 of 3: Fried Squirrel
Step 1. Place the squirrel pieces in a large saucepan and fill with water
Place the pot on the stove and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer when the water boils. Allow the squirrel meat to simmer until tender, about an hour and a half.
- Make sure the water boils slowly, without boiling the meat; or the meat won't be tender when you're done.
- If you have an old squirrel, it may take longer to cook the meat to make it more tender.
Step 2. Dry the squirrel meat
Pat dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Arrange the meat pieces on a plate.
Step 3. Mix flour, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and a few pinches of salt and black pepper in a bowl
Step 4. Pour the oil into the pan
Heat the oil over medium high heat.
- The oil should cover the bottom of the pan and about 1/4 of the way on each side.
- To fry the squirrel pieces, heat the oil in a Dutch oven or large saucepan.
- To test if the oil is hot enough for frying, dip the handle of a wooden spoon in the oil. When the oil bubbles rapidly around the spoon, it is ready for frying.
Step 5. Dip the squirrel pieces in the flour mixture
Layer one piece at a time, then place in the pan. Repeat until all the squirrel pieces have been floured and cook the squirrel in a saucepan.
Step 6. Turn the squirrel meat over to the other side
Cook until golden brown.
Step 7. Arrange the squirrel pieces on the paper towel, and let the oil soak in
Serve with foods that are usually served with fried chicken: mashed potatoes, corn, or green beans. Be careful when eating because squirrel meat has small bones.
Method 2 of 3: Boiled Squirrel
Step 1. Mix flour and a few pinches of salt and pepper in a bowl
Dip squirrel pieces in batter, coating all sides. Arrange the meat pieces on a plate.
Step 2. Place the Dutch oven or pot over medium heat
Melt the butter in a saucepan.
Step 3. Place the squirrel pieces in the pan
Let them cook on each side for two to three minutes, until they are completely brown.
Step 4. Cover the squirrel pieces with 7 cups of water
Be careful, as the water will bubble when it hits the hot pot.
Step 5. Add the thyme, potatoes, corn, onions, tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and pepper
Bring the contents of the pot to a boil.
Step 6. Reduce heat slowly and cover the pot
Cook the stew until the squirrel meat is tender, about 2 hours. Serve with bread. Eat carefully, because squirrel pieces have small bones.
Method 3 of 3: Baked Squirrel
Step 1. Place the squirrel pieces in a large heatproof bowl
Add water and a few teaspoons of salt. Cover the bowl and refrigerate overnight.
- This step can help tenderize the meat. If you have young squirrel meat, you can skip this step.
- You can skip this step if you want to grill the squirrel over a forest fire and don't have time to soak the meat first.
Step 2. Turn on the grill fire
Set the charcoal grill on a low, steady heat.
If you're camping in the woods, make a fire and burn it until you have hot coals, to cook slowly
Step 3. Dry the squirrel meat and season with salt and pepper
Step 4. Place the squirrel pieces on the grill
Cook over low heat for an hour, turning occasionally.
- If you are cooking over an open flame, pierce the pieces of meat with a cleaned metal or wooden skewer. Cook for an hour, turning occasionally.
- To grill squirrels, coat the squirrel pieces with barbecue sauce every fifteen minutes until the meat is cooked through.
Tips
- Keep the squirrel in a cool place after killing and soak the squirrel in water before skinning for easy removal of the skin and fur.
- Older squirrel meat may take longer to tenderize and cook.
- A squirrel usually consists of 6 pieces of meat, 4 legs and 2 pieces of back flesh, although some people also enjoy the head, which usually has some flesh on the "cheeks" and brain.
Warning
- Squirrel meat should be thoroughly cooked to ensure that there are no bacteria in the meat.
- Make sure squirrel meat and other game is sourced from reputable sources that are legal and properly cleaned.
