Ella Walter
Cooking squirrel in a crock pot is a popular method, with many recipes available online. Some people choose to pressure cook the squirrel first to tenderize the meat, before deep frying, while others opt for a slow cooker or stew. One recipe recommends boiling squirrel in a mixture of lemon and orange juice with beer or wine, while another suggests a crock pot with chicken broth, garlic, and butter. Squirrels are a common species in Georgia and are considered a tasty meal by many.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat preparation | Soak in saltwater overnight to get rid of gamey flavor, tenderize the meat, and make it softer |
| Meat removal | Boil the meat until it falls off the bones, then remove the meat from the broth and let it cool |
| Meat cooking | Bake in the oven, fry, air-fry, slow cook, or pressure cook |
| Meat seasoning | Sprinkle with Cajun seasoning, garlic salt, or a rub of choice |
| Meat marination | Marinate in lemon/orange juice with beer or wine |
| Meat tenderizing | Add apple cider vinegar to tenderize the meat before cooking |
| Meat serving suggestions | Serve with sweet potatoes, nachos, or chips |
| Broth | Chicken broth or chicken bouillon |
| Vegetables | Onion, green pepper, celery, carrots, bell pepper, potatoes, mushrooms, garlic |
| Spices | Salt, pepper, hot sauce, curry powder, paprika, thyme, rosemary, sage |
| Sauces | Barbecue sauce, mushroom soup, gravy |
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What You'll Learn
Soak squirrel meat in saltwater to remove gamey flavour
Soaking squirrel meat in saltwater is a great way to remove any unwanted gamey flavour and make the meat more tender. This process is called brining, which helps to flavour the meat from the inside out. It is also a form of tenderisation, as the salt breaks down the proteins in the meat.
To make a saltwater brine, mix a solution of salt and water. The ratio of salt to water depends on the length of time you plan to brine the meat. If you only have a few hours, use less water and more salt—about 1/4 cup of salt for every 8 cups of water. If you plan to brine the meat overnight, you can use less salt—about 1/2 cup of salt for every 4 quarts of water. Ensure the squirrel meat is clean and thoroughly washed before placing it in the brine.
After brining, remove the meat from the saltwater, rinse it, and pat it dry. You can then sear the meat in a pan or place it directly in a slow cooker with vegetables and broth.
If you want to further improve the tenderness of the meat and remove any remaining gamey flavour, you can soak the meat in a vinegar and water solution after brining. Mix 1/2 cup of vinegar with 4 quarts of water and fully submerge the meat in the solution for 1 to 1-1/2 hours.
By following these steps, you can effectively remove any gamey flavour from squirrel meat and ensure a tender and flavourful final dish.
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Browning the meat with Cajun seasoning
To start, cut the cleaned and skinned squirrel meat into pieces. The front legs, meaty hindquarters, and torso rib cage are all suitable for cooking. You can also use a pressure cooker to tenderise the meat before cutting it into strips or cubes if you prefer.
Next, heat a large black iron pot or skillet over medium-high heat. Add a generous amount of oil to the pan—enough to coat the bottom evenly. While the oil is heating up, sprinkle the squirrel pieces generously with Cajun seasoning. Make sure each piece is well-coated.
Once the oil is hot, carefully add the seasoned squirrel pieces to the pan. Be sure to leave some space between the pieces to allow for even browning. Cook the meat for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until it is browned to your desired level. If you are working in batches, transfer the browned pieces to a platter and repeat the process with the remaining meat.
After browning the meat, you can continue with the recipe of your choice. Many people enjoy making squirrel stew, tacos, wraps, or dumplings. No matter the recipe, browning the meat with Cajun seasoning is a crucial step in creating a delicious and flavourful dish.
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Boil until meat is falling off the bone
Cooking squirrel in a crock pot is a great way to prepare this type of meat. It is a popular choice for those who enjoy slow-cooked squirrel, as it results in tender, fall-off-the-bone meat.
Firstly, you'll want to prepare the squirrels. Skinning and cleaning squirrels are tasks best left to experts, but a dressed-out squirrel is said to be worth the effort. Soaking the squirrel in saltwater overnight can help to remove any gamey flavour and tenderise the meat.
Once your squirrel is prepared, you can begin the cooking process. Place the squirrel in a saucepan and cover it with water. Bring the water to a boil and continue boiling until the meat is tender and falling off the bone. This can take some time, and you may need to check the progress to avoid overcooking.
Once the meat is cooked, remove the squirrel from the broth and allow it to cool. You can then remove the meat from the bones, ensuring that you get rid of all the small bones. This process should leave you with a good amount of tender meat.
At this stage, you can choose to add the meat back to the broth or create a new sauce or gravy. Some recipes suggest making a gravy with vegetables, spices, and herbs, while others recommend creating a dip with cream cheese, ranch dressing, hot sauce, and cheese.
Finally, serve the meat with your chosen sauce and enjoy!
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Slow cook with chicken broth, garlic and butter
Slow cooking squirrel in a crock pot with chicken broth, garlic, and butter is a great way to prepare this meat. This method will result in tender meat that falls off the bone. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
Preparation:
Before slow cooking, you can prepare the squirrel meat in a few different ways. Some people suggest soaking the meat in saltwater overnight or for a couple of days to remove any gamey flavour and tenderise it. You can also marinate the meat in buttermilk for an hour or more, and then coat it in a flour mixture before frying. This will give the meat a crispy crust. Alternatively, you can marinate the meat in olive oil, teriyaki sauce, oregano, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper before grilling.
Slow Cooking:
For slow cooking, you will need a crock pot or slow cooker. Place the squirrel meat in the pot, and add chicken broth, garlic, and butter. You can also add vegetables like onions, carrots, potatoes, and celery to create a heartier stew. Cover the pot and cook on low heat for an extended period, typically around 6-8 hours. The long cooking time will ensure that the meat becomes tender and can be easily pulled from the bone.
Final Steps:
Once the meat is tender, you can remove it from the crock pot and debone it. The meat can then be returned to the pot with the vegetables and cooking liquid to keep it moist and warm. Season the dish with salt and pepper to taste. You can also thicken the cooking liquid by stirring in some flour to create a gravy.
Serving Suggestions:
Slow-cooked squirrel can be served in a variety of ways. You can simply enjoy the meat and vegetables as is, or you can get creative and make dishes like squirrel pot pie, tacos, or sandwiches. For a heartier meal, serve it with cooked noodles, rice, or mashed potatoes.
Remember, it is important to handle and cook wild game meats like squirrel properly to ensure food safety. Enjoy experimenting with this unique and tasty dish!
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Serve with acorn squash and pumpkin pie
To cook squirrel in a crock pot, first prepare the meat by soaking it in saltwater overnight. This helps to get rid of the gamey flavour and makes the meat more tender. Then, place the squirrel in a crock pot with enough water to cover it. Add some bouillon, and put it on high for at least 4 hours, or longer if the squirrel is older. You can also add other ingredients to the crock pot, such as chicken broth, garlic, and butter. Cook until the meat is tender and falling off the bone.
Now, for the acorn squash and pumpkin pie! Acorn squash is a great side dish or dessert and can be easily prepared in a Crock-Pot or slow cooker. Start by cutting the acorn squash in half and removing the seeds. Place the squash halves in the Crock-Pot with a little water and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. The squash is fully cooked when a knife can easily slide through the outer skin and into the inner meat. Remove the squash meat from the skin and serve immediately, or allow it to cool and store in an airtight container.
To make a pumpkin pie, you can actually use a pumpkin pie recipe and simply substitute cooked acorn squash for the pumpkin. Add a little melted butter and salt for an easy and delicious side dish.
For a heartier meal, you can stuff the acorn squash with seasoned ground beef and serve it as a main dish. Alternatively, blend the cooked acorn squash into a warming winter squash soup or mix it into a spicy chilli.
There you have it! A delicious and unique meal of crockpot squirrel served with acorn squash and pumpkin pie.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the recipe. Some recipes recommend cooking squirrel in a crock pot for about 8 hours, while others suggest cooking it for 6 hours on High and then an additional 2 hours after adding flour.
You can add chicken broth, garlic, and butter to the crock pot when cooking squirrel. You can also add vegetables like potatoes, onions, carrots, bell peppers, and celery.
Before cooking, you can soak the squirrel in saltwater overnight to get rid of the gamey flavor and make the meat tender. You can also marinate the meat in a mixture of lemon and orange juice with beer or wine to tenderize it.
