Game, or wild meat has been climbing the popularity ladder slowly and steadily over the past couple of years. In comparison to commercial meats, like chicken, beef and pork, game meat draws attention now more than ever in conversation about sustainability and conscious eating. So you might have seen pheasant recipes popping up more than you’re used to.
Why is wild or game meat so popular now? Things like pheasant recipes and venison recipes are becoming more commonplace for many reasons. Not only is game meat harvested in a manner that’s kinder to the environment, but it also tends to be free of antibiotics, hormones and other additives used in many different meat products. So basically, it’s good for the environment, and it’s good for you. A perfect combo! Not to mention, it’s delicious! Wild meat has a rich and more intense flavor – perfect for when you’re craving a taste of something different.
What is game meat?
When we say game meat, we mean the meat of animals that haven’t been raised domestically and sold commercially. Those are usually wild animals such as rabbit, deer (venison), boar, wild turkey etc. Another quite popular wild meat is pheasant meat.
It comes from the pheasant (obviously), a bird of a larger size, which is native to the Asian continent. Since its introduction to the Western cuisine, it’s become a key ingredient not only in home-cooking but in fine dining as well. Yep, pheasant recipes are taking over in all sorts of places!
Are pheasant recipes good to eat?
Well, it all depends on your personal preference and your openness to experiment with food. If you just need a little nudge, we say – go for it! You’re in for a treat! In comparison to chicken, for example, pheasant meat has a much deeper taste. It’s sweeter and more tender. At the same tame, this large bird’s meat is low in fat and high in protein. It can help tame your cholesterol levels and help you build up muscle.
Since pheasant meat can be prepared in numerous ways (grilled, roasted, cooked), we’ve collected some amazing pheasant recipes that show just how versatile this game meat is.
1. Pheasant Pie
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3 pheasants meat removed and bones discarded
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3 tbsp plain flour
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2 tbsp olive oil
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100 g streaky bacon finely chopped
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200 g button mushrooms
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1 onion large, finely chopped
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2 garlic cloves crushed
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15 g butter
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100 ml madeira
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250 ml chicken stock
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4 juniper berries lightly crushed
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3 fresh thyme sprigs leaves picked
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1 egg medium, free-range, beaten
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225 g plain flour plus extra for dusting
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25 g semolina
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100 g unsalted butter chilled, cut into cubes
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1 egg yolk medium, free-range
What a dish to start off this list! Because who doesn’t like pie? They convenient, you can play around with the ingredients, serve them both cold and hot. Meat pies can be a great lunch option or an even better dinner. And this flavorful Pheasant Pie is no different. We’re not sure who invented the pheasant-bacon combo, but we are forever grateful!
The smokiness and saltiness of the bacon add so much to the overall taste of this dish. And the Madeira wine! Oh, the fragrance! Since this pie takes around 2 hours to make, we recommend saving this recipe for the weekend. That way to can immerse yourself in the cooking process completely, and do everything at your own pace.
2. Pheasant Pot Pie
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1 tbsp olive oil
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4 pheasant breasts
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0.25 tsp salt
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0.25 tsp pepper
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3 sprigs fresh thyme
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3 sprigs fresh sage
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4 tbsp unsalted butter
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0.33 cup white onion diced
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0.33 cup flour
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1 cup whole milk
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2 cups chicken stock or bone broth
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2 carrots large, chopped
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3 celery ribs chopped
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1 cup broccoli florets
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0.25 tsp dried sage
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0.25 tsp dried thyme
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1 sheet puff pastry dough
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1 egg
Another pie recipe, but this time more on the classic side – the Pheasant Pot Pie. Pot Pie, in general, has become a staple dish in many American households since the beginning of the 20th century. It was a dish that could combine leftovers that would otherwise be wasted, then give them a glow-up. And we’re all for sustainability and reducing waste, especially when it comes to food!
Pot pies usually invite different meats and vegetables, and this Pheasant Pot Pie recipe is no different. We’ve got carrots, broccoli, celery, and tons of fresh herbs. And of course, pheasant meat. What’s not to like? The flaky crust covers all the yummy ingredients and gives you those contrasting textures we all love
3. Creamy Pheasant Wild Rice and Mushroom Soup
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2 PHEASANT BREAST MEAT
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0.5 tsp salt
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0.5 TSP GARLIC POWDER OR 1 CLOVE FRESH GARLIC -SLICED
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2 TSP CHICKEN BOULLION OR 2 CANS CHICKEN BROTH
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black pepper to taste
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8 oz mushrooms fresh sliced
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0.5 c onion chopped
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2 stalks celery finely cut
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2 t butter
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0.33 C JASMINE RICE UNCOOKED
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1.5 C WILD RICE COOKED
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2 TSP chicken bullion powder
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2 T PARSLEY FINELY CHOPPED, FRESH, OR DRIED
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0.5 TSP poultry seasoning or other seasonings of your choice
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1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
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1.5 C HALF AND HALF CREAM
Fall is just around the corner. And when it arrives, you are going to want some new recipes to keep you warm and cozy. Thankfully, we’ve got just the right one. Meet this amazing creamy Pheasant soup recipe. Along with tender meat, this soup combines ingredients like mushrooms, different veggies, fresh herbs and two types of rice. You can serve this creamy goodness with garlic bread, or let it shine on its own.
4. Pheasant Stew
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1 pheasants whole, skin-on or skinless
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0.33 pound diced bacon
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1 pound mushrooms
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1 sweet onion large, sliced thick
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2 carrots large, sliced into coins about the thickness of your pinky finger
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1 head garlic cloves peeled but whole
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2 tablespoons flour
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salt
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black pepper
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1 tablespoon dried thyme
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2 bay leaves
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2 tablespoons fresh parsley minced fine
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1 bottle red wine decent, something you would drink
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0.5 cup brandy
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Pheasant broth or chicken
We are on a roll with fall and winter pheasant recipes, friends! But it’s good to be prepared. We couldn’t imagine talking about pheasant meat, or any game meat for that matter, and not mentioning a single stew recipe. Why are these wild meats popular ingredients in stews?, you may ask. Well, in our humble opinion, there are lots of reasons.
Stews are usually cooked on low temperature for a long period of time. The simmering allows the ingredients to soak up all the flavors, which deepens their taste and keeps the meat soft, which is great for game meat. They’re also usually served with nice comforting sides like rice or potatoes, which go well with the rich taste of pheasant meat. Honestly, it’s hard to go wrong with a stew! Though this particular Pheasant Stew recipe doesn’t call for potatoes, you can definitely add them either into the dish or as a side. Our advice is to keep the veggies in larger chunks, so that there’s less chance that they overcook and fall apart.
5. Roasted Pheasant
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1 tbsp vegetable oil
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1.5 pound pheasant breast and thighs separated from carcass
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salt
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black pepper
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2 tbsp olive oil
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3 carrots peeled & chunked
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2 yukon gold potatoes chunked
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1 onion thick slices
Cooking dinner for your friends and family, but no idea what to make? We’ve all been there! But what if we told you we have a unique dish that will blow your guests away? And this Roasted Pheasant is just that. You might consider making it in double batches because we guarantee everyone is going to be asking for seconds.
If you want to make it more “Mediterranean-style”, you can throw in some cherry tomatoes and sprinkle everything with olive oil instead of plain vegetable oil. Serve it with fresh basil on top, and there you have it! The perfect dinner! Plus, nobody will be expecting a pheasant recipe, so you’ll certainly never be accused of throwing boring dinner parties!