Bear Meat Recipes

When properly cooked, big game meat can be much tastier than even the choicest beef, as it is leaner and healthier with a lot less of the weight adding calories. The problem however is that improper cooking tends to make lean meat dry and tough. Now to ensure that it does not dry out, game meat is kept somewhat rare or is cooked over moist heat. However, some big game is exception to this rule. For example wild boar and bear meat needs to be cooked thoroughly, similar to pork, to kill the trichinosis parasite they might carry. Bear meat, in comparison to other big game, is coarser and stronger with a dark color and needs to be cooked always with extra seasoning. The external fat of big game should be removed prior to cooking, as it is tallowy in consistency and has a strong taste. These bear recipes for your game meat can make your overall gaming experience thoroughly enjoyable.

(Here I am shown removing bear meat off the bone, notice the dark color of the meat)

Bear Meat Loaf (I)

Ingredients:

Ground bear-meat – 2 lbs

Milk                             – ½ cup

Eggs                           – 2

Thyme                         – ¼ teaspoonful

Oregano                     – ¼ teaspoonful

Tomato sauce           – ¾ cup

Onions (minced)        – 1 cup

Dry Mustard               – 1 ½ cup

Mushroom                  – 1 small can

Breadcrumbs             – 1 cup

Finely chopped green pepper -½

Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

Mix all ingredients well and place in a roasting pan. Pre heat oven at 350° and bake for 45 minutes. Remove from oven and spread ketchup/BBQ sauce over the top. Replace in oven and bake for another 15 minutes till done. Serve warm.

Bear Meat Loaf (2)

Ingredients

Ground bear-meat – 2 lbs

Ground beef               – 1 lbs

Breadcrumbs             – 1 ½ cup

Eggs                           – 3

Ketchup                      – ¼ cup

Mushrooms                – 1 8 oz can

French Onion soup – 3 cans

Garlic Powder and black pepper to taste

Method:

Open 2 cans of onion soup and drain the broth in a bowl. Mix the onions from the cans with the other ingredients in a mixing bowl and when mixed well place the mixture in a roasting pan. Pour the broth from the 2 onion soup cans along with the contents of the third can over the top. Pre heat oven at 350° and cook for 2 ½ hours or till done. Ensure that the meat is cooked thoroughly.

Black bear stew

Ingredients:

Cubed bear meat – 4 lbs (cut in 1 inch cubes)

Flour                           – 1 cup

Butter                          – 4 tbs.

Italian Seasoning      – 1 tbs.                       

Corn oil                       – 2 tbs.

Bay leaves                 – 4

Onions (diced)           – 1 large size

Small potatoes          – 2 lbs.

Mushroom                  – 1 lbs. (fresh)

Carrots                       – 5 (sliced)

Turnip                         – 1 (cubed)

Parsnip                       – 5 sliced

Beef broth                  – 1 tin (8 oz)

Method:-

Take a strong plastic bag. Place bear meat, seasonings and flour in the bag and shake till meat is coated. Take a heavy bottomed skillet and add butter and oil. Add meat and cook on medium heat till meat is browned. Drain the grease from the meat while hot. Add 2 ½ to 3 quarts of water in a Dutch oven and cook all ingredients for approx. 2 to 3 hours at 325°. Check every half hour and add water if required.  Serve warm with Italian bread or fresh rolls.