Contrary to what you may think, squirrels are actually a tasty dish enjoyed by almost everyone who has tried them.
But what does squirrel taste like exactly? That’s the question this blog post will aim to answer. We will provide information about what type of meat squirrels contains as well as how you can cook them.
What Exactly Does Squirrel Taste Like?
The taste of squirrel can be described as a mild, gamey flavor that is comparable to that of a rabbit. However, unlike rabbit meat, squirrel meat isn’t too gamey. It’s more traditional like chicken meat.
If we were to describe it in a sentence, we would say that it’s a hybrid between chicken and rabbit.
Does Squirrel Taste Good?
Generally speaking, yes, squirrel tastes pretty good. However, as with every other type of meat, different people have different preferences. While some love eating squirrels so much that they make them a regular part of their diet, others want no more after only trying one dish. So there’s no guarantee that you will like the taste of squirrel meat.
But Aren’t Squirrels Rodents?
Yes, squirrels are rodents and because of that many people find the idea of eating them unappealing. But if you can get past that mental image, you will find that eating squirrels is a unique experience — which is exactly what people who’re looking to try something new need.
Is Squirrel Healthy?
Now that you have a better idea of what squirrels taste like, you may now be wondering about the safety of eating squirrel meat. So let us answer that question for you.
Is It Safe to Eat Squirrel?
Yes, it is safe to eat squirrel meat. Squirrels are not known to carry any diseases that can be harmful to humans. So you don’t have to worry about getting sick from eating them.
However, just like with any other type of meat, it’s always a good idea to cook them properly in order to kill any bacteria or parasites that may be present.
Is Eating Squirrel Healthy?
Yes, eating squirrels is healthy because their meat is packed with essential nutrients, including protein, iron, and zinc among many others. So if you’re looking for a healthy alternative to other types of meat like chicken, beef, or pork, squirrels are what you should be eating.
Is It Legal to Eat Squirrel?
Yes, it is legal to eat squirrels in the United States. However, we cannot speak for other countries around the world. So if you’re not living in the U.S., be sure to check with your local authorities to see if it’s legal to consume this type of meat before you try cooking up a squirrel dish.
How Should I Cook a Squirrel?
As with any food, you have multiple options to cook them. You can boil their meat, grill it, or deep fry it — whatever seems like the best option to you.
If you’re looking for a specific recipe, then here are five of the most delicious ones.
1. Squirrel Alfredo
Here’s the list of ingredients you will need:
- Squirrel meat, cut into cubes
- Olive oil
- Garlic cloves, minced
- Onion, diced
- Flour
- Milk
- Parmesan cheese, grated
- Nutmeg, ground
- Salt and pepper to taste
In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté garlic and onion in olive oil until softened. Add flour and continue cooking for one minute while stirring. Pour in milk and whisk continually until the mixture thickens. Add Parmesan cheese, nutmeg, salt, and pepper to taste. Finally, add cubed squirrel meat and cook through. Serve over pasta or rice.
2. Slow Cooked Squirrel With Veggies
Here’s what you will need:
- Squirrel meat, cut into cubes
- Carrots, peeled and chopped
- Celery stalks, chopped
- Onion, diced
- Garlic cloves minced
- Bay leaves (optional)
First place all your veggies inside a crockpot then add the squirrel meat on top of them. Add water until everything is covered by at least an inch or two of liquid. Season with salt & ground black pepper along with bay leaf & thyme if desired. Finally, cook for around four hours on a low heat setting or until done.
3. Barbequed Squirrel
Here’s the list of ingredients you will need:
- Squirrel meat, cut into small pieces
- BBQ sauce of your choice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Thread the squirrel meat onto skewers (if using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes before use). Grill over medium-high heat until cooked through, basting with BBQ sauce occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
If you’re having trouble getting the squirrel meat to stick onto the skewer while barbecuing it, try spraying some cooking oil on the skewer beforehand. This will help keep the meat from sticking. Also, if you’re looking for a slightly different flavor profile, try using teriyaki or honey garlic.
4. Fried Squirrel With Gravy
Here’s everything you will need for this recipe:
- Squirrel meat, cut into small pieces
- Salt and pepper to taste
- All-purpose flour
- Milk
- Oil for frying
In a shallow dish, season the squirrel meat with salt & pepper. Then coat in flour. In another shallow dish, pour milk. Heat up oil in a large skillet over medium heat until hot. Fry the floured squirrel meat until golden brown on all sides and cook through. Serve with gravy made from pan drippings mixed with some of the leftover milk from before.
5. Squirrel Casserole
Here’s the list of ingredients you will need to make a squirrel casserole:
- Squirrel meat, cut into chunks
- Butter or margarine
- Garlic cloves, minced
- Onion, chopped
- Celery stalks & leaves, diced (optional)
- All-purpose flour
- Milk and water combined in a one-to-one ratio mixture of each broth type. Use vegetables for more flavor. However, if going with all milk use four cups instead of two.
In a saucepan over medium heat, add butter until melted. Then, add garlic and onion stirring occasionally until softened about three minutes after starting the process. Sprinkle on some pepper flakes along with celery tops. Add flour and continue cooking for one minute whisking continually and then add milk mixture while continuing to stir.
Bring the concoction to a simmer before adding the meat and cooking until everything is fully cooked. Serve hot alongside a side of veggies or mashed potatoes for an extra special meal that your whole family will love!
Conclusion
In conclusion, squirrels have tasty meat that has several nutritional benefits and can be cooked in many ways as we discussed earlier. That’s why we think everyone should try them at least once in their life.
