Full Guide To Squirrel Meat Taste, Safety&Cooking

If you have ever asked yourself what does squirrel taste like, you are not the only one. This is the same question that many hunters, outdoor enthusiasts, and curious foodies ask.

Some people may not like the idea of eating squirrel meat. Yet meat is not a new product in the human diet. It is super slim, high in protein, and surprisingly tastes good.

We are going to take a closer look at the taste and how people consume it. We will also address how to cook squirrel meat and make it safe and tasty at the same time.

A Quick Overview

Do People Eat Squirrels?

Yes, people eat squirrels and have been eating them for hundreds of years. Actually, the history of squirrel meat in North America and Europe is long. Squirrel meat was used by the early settlers, pioneers, and rural families as a common source of protein.

Squirrels are also still hunted in most southern and midwestern states in the United States. It is particularly popular in Kentucky, Tennessee, and a section of Texas. Other communities also conduct squirrel cook-offs with their family recipes that date back several generations.

Consumption of squirrels in these areas is not a weird practice. It is an outdoor life for many hunters. They hunt, clean, and cook the squirrels themselves, usually preparing them as stews, pies, or grilled foods.

So yes. People in the U.S. still eat squirrels, and it remains a part of certain local cultures.

Can You Buy Squirrel Meat on The Market?

You may ask yourself whether you can purchase squirrel meat even when you are not a hunter. The answer is yes, but not very common in ordinary grocery stores.

Squirrel meat is sometimes available in specialty butchers, online retailers of wild meat, or at local farmers’ markets that stock exotic meat.

Squirrel meat is becoming more popular in Europe, especially in the UK, due to its leanness and sustainability.

Nevertheless, the majority of the consumers of squirrels in the U.S. continue acquiring them by hunting. When you are going to hunt on your own, be sure you have checked local hunting regulations and dates to ensure it is legal in your location.

What Does Squirrel Taste Like?

Now to the main question — what does squirrel actually taste like?

The majority of individuals refer to the taste as rabbit and chicken blended with a faint game and nutty taste. The squirrel meat has a mild sweetness and a clean, earthy flavor due to the squirrels’ diet. They feed on nuts, seeds, and fruits.

This is also determined by the cooking texture. Squirrel meat is tender and juicy when it is slow-cooked or stewed. When roasted or fried, it is firmer yet tastes good.

Here’s a simple breakdown of its taste profile:

Flavor: Mild, nutty, and a little gamey.
Texture: Firm but tender when cooked slowly.
Color: Light to medium brown when cooked.

Do Different Squirrel Species Taste the Same?

Not exactly. There are subtle differences.

Gray squirrels, the most common in the U.S., have a mild flavor and are often preferred for cooking.
Fox squirrels tend to be a bit stronger in flavor and slightly tougher.
Red squirrels, though smaller, can have a richer, more intense taste.

Generally, any given species of a Squirrel is consumable. Their variations are very slight, like those of chickens raised on a different farm.

Do People Like The Meat?

Some people are pro-squirrel meat, and those who are anti-squirrel meat. It is delicious to some, and some are afraid of the thought of eating a little woodland animal.

Does Squirrel Meat Have Any Nutrition?

Squirrel meat is full of protein and vitamins. Here’s what you get per 100 grams of squirrel meat (roughly):

Calories: Around 170
Protein: About 30 grams
Fat: Around 3 grams
Iron, Vitamin B6, and Niacin: Good levels for daily needs

Squirrels are also popular among the hunters of wild game because of the taste of nuts. It is a luxury in Southern food. There are also old recipes of squirrel stew or fried squirrel, which have been used in many families.

If you are new to game meat, a good first choice is squirrel due to its mild flavor.

How Does Squirrel Compare to Other Game Meats?

Let’s see how squirrels stack up against other wild meats like rabbits, deer, and coyotes.

Meat Type	Flavor	Texture	Nutrition	Notes
Squirrel	Mild, nutty, slightly gamey	Firm but tender	Lean, high protein	Best when slow-cooked
Rabbit	Very mild	Tender	Very lean	Similar to chicken
Deer (Venison)	Strong, earthy	Firm	High protein	Great for roasting
Coyote	Gamey, tough	Stringy	Lean	Needs heavy seasoning

To put it simply, the squirrel is the most similar to the rabbit, but it has a bit more flavor. It is one of the lighter and cleaner-tasting wild meats.

Is Squirrel Meat Safe to Eat?

Mostly, yes. There is no harm in eating squirrel meat, provided that it is handled and cooked. But of such wild game, as with all such, there are safety precautions.

Parasites or diseases carried by the squirrels include tularemia or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. But these are extremely rare. The trick is to ensure that the meat is cooked to death in order to destroy any bacteria or other pathogens.

It is best not to eat the brains of squirrels and spinal tissue since these are the parts that may pose a health risk. Use the muscle meat – legs, shoulders, and back.

When field dressing the small game in the wild, remember to:

Wear gloves while cleaning and field dressing.
Clean the animal quickly to prevent bacterial growth.
Keep the meat cool if you’re not cooking right away.
Wash thoroughly with cold water before cooking.
Cook completely— at least to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

How to Prepare and Cook Squirrel?

Squirrels are easy and delicious to cook. The meat is lean, and, therefore, slow-cooking or stewing makes it soft.

Here are a few popular cooking methods:

Frying: Classic southern-style fried squirrel.
Stewing: Perfect for a hearty squirrel and vegetable stew.
Roasting: Simple with herbs and butter.
Grilling: Adds smoky flavor, though the meat can be a bit chewy.

Step-by-Step Squirrel Stew Recipe

Let’s go through an easy Squirrel Stew Recipe that’s beginner-friendly.

Ingredients:

2 cleaned squirrels (cut into pieces)
1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, sliced
2 potatoes, diced
2 cups chicken broth
2 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 bay leaf
½ teaspoon thyme

Instructions:

Brown the Meat: Heat butter in a large pot. Add squirrel pieces and brown them lightly on all sides.
Add Vegetables: Stir in onions, carrots, and potatoes. Cook for 5 minutes.
Thicken the Base: Sprinkle flour over the mixture, stirring until evenly coated.
Add Broth and Spices: Pour in chicken broth, then add salt, pepper, thyme, and bay leaf.
Simmer: Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the meat is tender.
Serve Hot: Remove bones and bay leaf before serving. Enjoy with bread or rice.

The older squirrels are tougher and therefore marinate them overnight in either saltwater or buttermilk, then cook them. This is to aid in breaking the muscle fibers, thus rendering the meat more tender and flavorful.

To the marinade, you may also add garlic, rosemary, and black pepper to make it taste good. Rinse, then wipe dry and cook to achieve the best texture.

Except for the above cooking method, many hunters generally like to fry squirrel with seasoned flour. They also enjoy slow-cooking squirrel in stews or broth until tender, while some use a pressure cooker for quick tenderizing before frying. Others prefer cooking over a campfire, and some get creative by mixing squirrel into dishes like gumbo or pot pie.

What’s your favorite recipe? Share with us!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do people eat squirrels? Is it legal?

Yes, people do eat squirrels. Most states in the United States have legalized it, as long as the game is legal to hunt. However, our local laws should be checked before hunting or purchasing.

What does squirrel taste like?

It has a chicken and rabbit flavor with a minor touch of nuts.

Is squirrel meat safe to eat?

Yes, the squirrel meat is safe to eat. Make sure it’s cleaned and cooked properly to at least 165°F (74°C).

How do you cook squirrel so it’s tender?

Slow-cook it, stew it, or braise it. These methods help soften the lean meat.

Can I buy squirrel meat, or do I have to hunt it?

You can buy it from some specialty game meat suppliers, though hunting is more common.

Is squirrel healthier than chicken or beef?

Yes, it is less fatty, low-calorie, and full of protein and vitamins.

What part of the squirrel can be eaten?

You can eat the legs, back, and shoulder. Avoid the head and organs. Most hunters thinks that the back legs and the backstraps is the best because they’re meatier and more satisfying to eat.

How many squirrels per person for a meal?

Usually, one large squirrel per person is enough for a filling meal. You can cook different parts of meat with different ways.

Conclusion

So, what does squirrel taste like? It is light, nutty, and unexpectedly delicious – a bit like chicken with a touch of wild taste.

Squirrel meat is an old aspect of traditional cooking, and many hunters and food lovers still enjoy it nowadays. When it is responsibly sourced, it is healthy, lean, and sustainable.

When you have an opportunity to try it, do a slow-cooked stew or a fried one. With the right seasoning and care, you’ll discover why squirrels have earned a quiet but proud place in the world of wild game cuisine.

Read More Posts About Hunting Meat Safety:

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Kalkal Team

The Kalkal Team is a group of experienced outdoorsmen who are passionate about hunting and dedicated to sharing reliable gear and practical guides that help fellow hunters build skills, stay safe, and hunt responsibly.