When you think of a meat dish, what comes to mind? For most of us, we might think of a juicy beef steak, or chicken or pork. But would you consider venison? Elk? Boar? Alligator? Now those are some wild options! If you’ve never considered trying out wild game meats, it can seem a little daunting at first, especially given the bad rap a lot of game meats receive. Trust us, there’s a lot to like about game, so let’s take a little walk on the wild side!

What is wild game?

Despite its name, modern wild game meats can actually be sourced from animals that roam freely in the wild, or responsibly raised on specialized farms. What you won’t find in this category are any of the usual suspects - not a cow, chicken, pig, sheep, or even duck in sight. Those are domesticated animals, and by their nature, wild game refers to any animal that remains undomesticated, even when farmed.

Responsibly raised or hunted game meats aren’t as dangerous as they may seem. In fact, all wild game sold in the United States undergoes the same strict inspection process as their domesticated counterparts, meaning wild game remains just as safe to consume and just as high in quality. Just like more conventional protein options, as long as wild game is cooked to the right temperature, the risk of foodborne illness remains exceedingly low.

But what about the gamey flavor? The term ‘gamey’ refers to an almost indescribable but instantly recognizable flavor that some meats possess. It’s not just wild game that gets that distinction, though; meats like duck and lamb, and even grass-fed beef can be described as gamey. Gaminess presents as an intense meaty flavor, earthy, metallic, or even slightly acidic, depending on the animal. Wild game often has a stronger gaminess due to a number of factors, including the age of the animal at harvest (usually much older than conventional proteins), the diet they consume, and how active their lifestyle is compared to domesticated animals.

A gamey flavor isn’t inherently a bad thing. It’s definitely an acquired taste, but some actually prefer the depth of flavor it brings to the dish. Luckily, whether you’re a wild game beginner or a game meat aficionado, game runs the gamut from not-so-gamey to very gamey to please any adventurous eater.

Common players in the (wild) game

Though any edible wild animal can be considered wild game, there are definitely a few notable favorites throughout the culinary world.

• Venison

  Meat from deer, known as venison, is possibly one of the most quintessential game meats in the country. There are a lot of deer in the world, and a lot of people depend on hunting deer for their main source of protein.

  Luckily, venison is also one of the most delicious game meats out there. The taste is rich and earthy, often described as striking a perfect balance between gamey and beefy. Venison is an extremely lean protein with a tender, meaty texture and a striking red hue from the amount of iron in the meat. Overall, it’s a healthy, delicious alternative to beef that’s definitely worth a try.

  Venison can be cooked in a number of ways, similar to beef. Because it’s so lean, venison can easily dry out if not cooked with care, so marinating and then basting while cooking, or slow roasting and braising are the way to go. With its intense meatiness, venison pairs easily with other strong flavors. Try marinating with olive oil and aromatic herbs like rosemary, thyme, or citrusy juniper berries, then cook to medium-rare and rest before enjoying.








• Elk

  Deer, moose, reindeer, and elk are all part of a family known as Cervidae. While they all share similar characteristics, elk is particularly delicious, known for its lean, healthy meat and distinctive beef-like flavor.

  If you’ve tried venison before and found it a little too gamey for your liking, elk stands out among Cervidae as a meat with almost no gaminess. The taste is very similar to steak with a bit more depth - a clean, almost sweet flavor renowned as a true delicacy. Its texture is also very steak-like, but incredibly lean, sharing the same bright red color of high iron content as its venison brethren.

  Because elk is one of the leanest proteins available, take care not to overcook the meat, or you’ll be in for a tough, stringy meal. Elk can be cooked just like any beef steak, simply seasoned and seared hot and fast, or braised low and slow until it’s fall-apart tender. Much like venison, elk can also be marinated in herbaceous olive oil before cooking for an even more tender result.








• Bison

  If you’re looking for a healthier and even more sustainable alternative to beef without a hint of gaminess, bison is the way to go. Native to North America, these giant relatives of buffalo and cows freely roam pastures in the northern United States and Canada. Being native animals, bison trample less and eat more grass than their cattle cousins, naturally fertilizing the land they walk on. They're also most often raised sustainably on huge swaths of farmland.

  Bison’s flavor is distinctly beefy, but with a deeper richness and a sweet flavor. Where bison and beef differ most is in the leanness of the meat and the brighter red color. Bison has about half the fat of beef, with more protein and essential minerals per serving than its cow counterparts.

  The leanness of bison lends itself either to hot and fast or low and slow cooking methods, just like most other game meats. One of the most popular ways of serving bison is ground and formed into patties for a lean, delicious burger. Bison burgers can be cooked on a smoking hot grill or in a hot pan, seared for 2-3 minutes per side until medium-rare, and served with your favorite toppings just like any normal beef burger.








• Wild Boar

  Related to pigs, wild boar might not seem like the most adventurous choice of game out there, but its flavor and origin beg to differ. Wild boar are truly wild. They run rampant across several states - most notably Texas - rampaging and causing damage to people, property and pets. In response, these states have set up hunting programs to cull their numbers. Hunters bring the boar to USDA facilities for processing and inspection before any meat hits the market.

  Wild boar has a texture similar to a cross between beef and pork when cooked. The taste, however, couldn’t be more different. Wild boar feed on natural forage, grass, acorns, and whatever else they can get their hooves on. This leads to a bold, sharply gamey flavor with a distinctive nuttiness and mild sweetness. Boar has more marbling than other game meats, which keeps the meat juicy and tender when cooking.

  Despite its marbling, however, boar is still a leaner meat than pork and should be cooked accordingly. Boar loves to be cooked low and slow in stews or braises. Ground boar can also be combined with conventional beef or pork for delicious meatballs and burgers for intrepid diners.








• Alligator

  Big, scaly carnivores with jaws strong enough to take down animals much bigger than their size. Whoever thought of eating these dangerous reptiles? Although alligator has actually been eaten for generations in swampy southern states, it’s only recently gained popularity across the entire USA, with more and more dishes popping up around the country. Alligator meat sold on the market is exclusively farmed, not hunted.

  Alligator is similar to chicken in a lot of ways, since they both share an ancestral line with dinosaurs. Alligators are made up of tender white meat and tougher dark meat, depending on the cut. The most delicious meat comes from the tail, also known as the sirloin, with a texture and taste almost identical to chicken, and not a hint of gaminess to be found.

  The sirloin can be cooked in similar ways to chicken. One of the most popular ways to enjoy alligator is to bread and fry into crispy bites for a perfect appetizer. Alligator can also be grilled, blackened, pan-fried, or even diced and thrown into Cajun classics like gumbo and jambalaya.

You're in for a 'wild' ride

There’s a lot to like about game meat. From the naturally leaner profile to the richness and uniqueness of flavors, wild game is the perfect choice for daring diners. The next time you find yourself reaching for tried-and-true conventional meats, consider trying out something new and maybe a little bit wild for your next dish!