3 Ways To Cook Squirrel - WikiHow

Home » How To Cook A Squirrel » 3 Ways To Cook Squirrel - WikiHow

Maybe your like

Skip to ContentQuizzes
  • Home
  • Random
  • Browse Articles
  • Quizzes & Games
  • All QuizzesHot
  • Love Quizzes
  • Personality Quizzes
  • Fun Games
  • Dating Simulator
  • Learn Something New
  • Forums
  • Courses
  • Happiness Hub
  • Explore More
  • Support wikiHow
  • About wikiHow
  • Log in / Sign up
Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Cook Squirrel PDF download Download Article 45 Recipe Ratings | Success Stories Reviewed by Chef Jeff Woodward

Last Updated: February 24, 2025

PDF download Download Article
  • Making Fried Squirrel
    • |
  • Making Stewed Squirrel
    • |
  • Preparing Grilled Squirrel
    • |
  • Ingredients
    • |
  • Q&A
    • |
  • Tips
    • |
  • Warnings
|Show more |Show less X

This article was reviewed by Chef Jeff Woodward. Jeff Woodward is a Private Chef and the Owner of The Rogue Chef based in Branson, Missouri. With over 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry, he has cooked for esteemed clients including The Harlem Globetrotters, Peyton Manning, Mark Wahlberg, and Justin Timberlake. Chef Jeff won the Branson Tri-Lakes News Reader's Choice Award 2023 for Best Catering. He has been the Featured Chef Demonstrator for 2 years in a row for The Women's Show in Springfield, MO. The Rogue Chef has been the Hollister Chamber of Commerce Spotlight Chef, an award published in Tri-Lakes News. Chef Jeff's food has been featured on KY3 Television. He publishes a recipe weekly in the Branson Globe newspaper and monthly in Lost on the Lake Magazine. He published a feature article for Chef Talks in Discover Home and Style Magazine. He has an associate’s degree from Southwestern Illinois College and a Culinary Arts degree with a Certification in Baking from Ozark Technical College. This article has been viewed 262,119 times.

Squirrel is a popular game choice that is not difficult to obtain in parts of Europe, but it can only be obtained through hunting or trapping in the United States. Squirrel meat is densely textured with a much richer flavor than rabbit or chicken. Older squirrel meat tastes best when it's cooked long and slow. If you're able to obtain a freshly cleaned squirrel, try one of these delicious cooking methods: fried, stewed, or grilled.

Ingredients

Fried Squirrel

  • 2 cleaned squirrels, cut into strips
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Frying oil

Stewed Squirrel

  • 1 cleaned squirrel, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • Water
  • 1 teaspoon thyme
  • 1 cup potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1 cup fresh corn kernels
  • 2 onions, chopped
  • 2 cups canned chopped tomatoes with juice
  • Salt and pepper

Grilled Squirrel

  • 1 or more cleaned squirrels, each cut into four pieces
  • Salt
  • Water
  • Salt and pepper

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 3:

Making Fried Squirrel

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Place the squirrel pieces in a large saucepan and cover with water. 1 Place the squirrel pieces in a large saucepan and cover with water. Place the saucepan on the stove and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Allow the squirrel meat to simmer until tender, about an hour and a half.
    • Be sure to simmer, not boil the meat; it should not be falling off the bone when you remove it from heat.
    • If you have an older squirrel, it may take longer for the meat to become tender.
  2. Step 2 Drain the squirrel meat. 2 Drain the squirrel meat. Pat it dry with paper towels to remove extra moisture. Set the pieces on a plate. Advertisement
  3. Step 3 Mix the flour, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and a few pinches of salt and black pepper in a bowl. 3 Mix the flour, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and a few pinches of salt and black pepper in a bowl.
  4. Step 4 Pour oil into a frying pan. 4 Pour oil into a frying pan. Heat the oil over medium high heat.
    • The oil should cover the bottom of the pan and come 1/4 way up the sides.
    • To deep fry the squirrel pieces, heat an inch of oil into a Dutch oven or large saucepan.
    • To test whether the oil is hot enough to fry, dip the handle of a wooden spoon into the oil. When the oil bubbles rapidly around the spoon, it's ready to fry.
  5. Step 5 Dredge the squirrel pieces in the flour mixture. 5 Dredge the squirrel pieces in the flour mixture. Coat the pieces one at a time, and lay them in the frying pan. Repeat until all the squirrel pieces have been dredged and are cooking in the pan.
  6. Step 6 Turn the squirrel pieces over to fry on the other side. 6 Turn the squirrel pieces over to fry on the other side. Cook until the breading is golden brown.
  7. Step 7 Set the squirrel pieces on paper towels and allow them to drain. 7 Set the squirrel pieces on paper towels and allow them to drain. Serve with foods that usually accompany fried chicken: mashed potatoes, corn, or green beans. Eat carefully, since the squirrel pieces have tiny bones.
    8. Advertisement
Method 2 Method 2 of 3:

Making Stewed Squirrel

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Mix the flour and a few pinches of salt and pepper in a bowl. 1 Mix the flour and a few pinches of salt and pepper in a bowl. Dredge the squirrel pieces in the mixture, coating them on all sides. Set the pieces on a plate.
  2. Step 2 Place a Dutch oven or stewpot over medium heat. 2 Place a Dutch oven or stewpot over medium heat. Melt the butter in the pot.
  3. Step 3 Place the squirrel pieces in the pot. 3 Place the squirrel pieces in the pot. Let them cook on each side for two to three minutes, until they are completely brown.
  4. Step 4 Cover the squirrel pieces with 7 cups of water. 4 Cover the squirrel pieces with 7 cups of water. Be careful, since the water will bubble when it hits the hot pot.
  5. Step 5 Add the thyme, potatoes, corn, onions, tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and pepper. 5 Add the thyme, potatoes, corn, onions, tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Bring the contents of the pot to a boil.
  6. Step 6 Reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the pot. 6 Reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the pot. Cook the stew until the squirrel meat is tender, about 2 hours. Serve with bread. Eat carefully, since the squirrel pieces have tiny bones.
    7. Advertisement
Method 3 Method 3 of 3:

Preparing Grilled Squirrel

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Place the squirrel pieces in a large nonreactive bowl. 1 Place the squirrel pieces in a large nonreactive bowl. Cover them with water and a few teaspoons of salt. Place a lid on the bowl and refrigerate overnight.
    • This step helps to tenderize the meat. If you have a young squirrel, you may skip this step.
    • You may skip this step if you want to grill a squirrel over a fire in the woods and don't have time to soak it first.
  2. Step 2 Light the grill. 2 Light the grill. Set up a charcoal grill with low, steady heat.
    • If you're camping in the woods, build a fire and allow it to burn down until you have hot, slow-burning embers to cook over.
  3. Step 3 Drain the squirrel meat and season with salt and pepper. 3 Drain the squirrel meat and season with salt and pepper.
  4. Step 4 Lay the squirrel pieces on the grill. 4 Lay the squirrel pieces on the grill. Cook over low heat for an hour, turning the pieces occasionally.
    • If you're cooking over an outdoor fire, skewer the pieces on metal skewers or cleaned sticks. Cook for an hour, rotating occasionally.
    • For barbecued squirrel, baste the squirrel pieces with barbecue sauce every fifteen minutes until the meat is cooked.
    5. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search Add New Question
  • Question Can you cook a squirrel by throwing it live into boiling water like lobster? This would ensure freshness, wouldn't it? Community Answer Community Answer I hope you're joking. You should never boil an animal alive. That is torture. The only exception is some types of seafood, which is, as far as we know, less sentient than mammals (though many people would object in that case, too). Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 61 Helpful 37
  • Question How can I tell if my squirrel is cooked? Community Answer Community Answer The most efficient means is to boil the squirrel for thirty minutes on high heat. This method ensures that the squirrel is not only cooked, but also cleaned without having to skin, gut, butcher, etc. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 40 Helpful 17
Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Tips

  • Squirrel meat is often procured by younger hunters, so make sure that any youth hunter is responsible and well-trained. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Keeping the squirrel in a cool place after it has been killed it and soaking it in water before skinning makes for easier removal of the skin and hair. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Older squirrel meat may take longer to tenderize and cook. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Show More Tips Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

  • Squirrel meat should be cooked thoroughly as to assure that there is no bacteria present in the meat. Thanks Helpful 9 Not Helpful 3
  • Make sure squirrel meat and other game is obtained from a reputable source that hunted it legally and cleaned it properly. Never attempt to cook or consume any animal that has been poached, imported, or found dead. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 5
Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Clean a SquirrelHow toClean a Squirrel 3 Tasty Ways to Cook Quail (Plus Seasoning & Cooking Tips) Cook a SnakeHow toCook a Snake Cook PheasantHow toCook Pheasant Prepare EscargotHow toPrepare Escargot Cook TurtleHow toCook Turtle Cook RabbitHow toCook Rabbit How toRoast Acorns Attract SquirrelsHow to Attract Squirrels Cook Venison (Deer Meat)How toCook Venison (Deer Meat) Cook GrasshoppersHow toCook Grasshoppers Make a Squirrel FeederHow toMake a Squirrel Feeder Catch a SquirrelHow toCatch a Squirrel Cook AlligatorHow toCook Alligator Advertisement

References

  1. http://www.food.com/recipe/squirrel-stew-like-grandma-made-76112

About This Article

Chef Jeff Woodward Reviewed by: Chef Jeff Woodward Private Chef This article was reviewed by Chef Jeff Woodward. Jeff Woodward is a Private Chef and the Owner of The Rogue Chef based in Branson, Missouri. With over 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry, he has cooked for esteemed clients including The Harlem Globetrotters, Peyton Manning, Mark Wahlberg, and Justin Timberlake. Chef Jeff won the Branson Tri-Lakes News Reader's Choice Award 2023 for Best Catering. He has been the Featured Chef Demonstrator for 2 years in a row for The Women's Show in Springfield, MO. The Rogue Chef has been the Hollister Chamber of Commerce Spotlight Chef, an award published in Tri-Lakes News. Chef Jeff's food has been featured on KY3 Television. He publishes a recipe weekly in the Branson Globe newspaper and monthly in Lost on the Lake Magazine. He published a feature article for Chef Talks in Discover Home and Style Magazine. He has an associate’s degree from Southwestern Illinois College and a Culinary Arts degree with a Certification in Baking from Ozark Technical College. This article has been viewed 262,119 times. 45 votes - 81% Co-authors: 22 Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 262,119 Categories: Meat Article SummaryX

To fry squirrel, first put pieces of meat in a pan and cover it with water. Bring the water to a boil and then reduce the heat, simmering the meat for about 90 minutes or until it’s tender. Drain the pieces of meat and pat them dry with paper towels. Next, mix flour, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a bowl. Then heat oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Coat each piece of meat completely in the flour mixture. Finally, lay the pieces in the pan and fry them on both sides until golden brown. If you want to learn how to grill squirrel or include it in a stew, keep reading the article! Did this summary help you?YesNo

In other languages Spanish Italian Russian French German Chinese Indonesian
  • Print
  • Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 262,119 times.

Reader Success Stories

  • Dan I.

    Dan I.

    Dec 29, 2023

    "The fried squirrel recipe fortified the way my mother used to cook them for me. I've got a 10-year-old..." more
More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Chef Jeff Woodward Reviewed by: Chef Jeff Woodward Private Chef Co-authors: 22 Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 262,119 81% of voters found this recipe helpful. 45 votes - 81% Click a star to add your vote Dan I.

Dan I.

Dec 29, 2023

"The fried squirrel recipe fortified the way my mother used to cook them for me. I've got a 10-year-old..." more Shannon Best

Shannon Best

May 10, 2020

"Helped explain how to tenderize the squirrel before frying and not using buttermilk. Buttermilk adds a flavor and..." more Rated this article: Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

Quizzes & Games

Guess the Food QuizGuess the Food QuizTake QuizWhat Should I Eat for Dinner QuizWhat Should I Eat for Dinner QuizTake QuizWhat Food Am I QuizWhat Food Am I QuizTake QuizGuess Where I Grew Up Based On Food QuizGuess Where I Grew Up Based On Food QuizTake QuizGuess the Animal Photo QuizGuess the Animal Photo QuizTake QuizPizza CalculatorPizza Calculator

You Might Also Like

Clean a SquirrelHow toClean a SquirrelCook Quail3 Tasty Ways to Cook Quail (Plus Seasoning & Cooking Tips)Cook a SnakeHow toCook a SnakeCook PheasantHow toCook Pheasant

Trending Articles

Am I Good at Flirting QuizAm I Good at Flirting QuizHow Sexual Am I QuizHow Sexual Am I QuizHow Many Secret Admirers Do I Have QuizHow Many Secret Admirers Do I Have QuizRank My Attractiveness QuizRank My Attractiveness Quiz5 Different Types of Butts: Find Your Shape5 Different Types of Butts: Find Your ShapeWhat Would My Nickname Be QuizWhat Would My Nickname Be Quiz

Watch Articles

Impress a Girl on a First DateHow toImpress a Girl on a First DateWhat Are Tear Burns on TikTok and What Causes Them?What Are Tear Burns on TikTok and What Causes Them?Wear a HoodieHow toWear a HoodieChiffonadeHow toChiffonadeMake a Fabric RoseHow toMake a Fabric RoseConfront a BullyHow toConfront a Bully

Trending Articles

210+ Shower Thoughts: Funny, Deep, Weird & Mind-Blowing210+ Shower Thoughts: Funny, Deep, Weird & Mind-Blowing140+ Wavelength Game Categories & Questions to Extend Your Play140+ Wavelength Game Categories & Questions to Extend Your PlayThe Ultimate Collection of Funny, Cheesy, & Romantic Rizz LinesThe Ultimate Collection of Funny, Cheesy, & Romantic Rizz LinesWhat 16 of the Most Common Hugs MeanWhat 16 of the Most Common Hugs MeanThe Top Emojis Guys Use when They Like or Love YouThe Top Emojis Guys Use when They Like or Love YouWhat Emojis Mean Sex?What Emojis Mean Sex?

Quizzes & Games

How Southern Am I QuizHow Southern Am I QuizTake QuizHow Good Are My Survival Instincts QuizHow Good Are My Survival Instincts QuizTake QuizAm I Smarter than a 5th Grader QuizAm I Smarter than a 5th Grader QuizTake QuizWhat's the Best Meal Kit for Me QuizWhat's the Best Meal Kit for Me QuizTake QuizAnimal Riddle QuizAnimal Riddle QuizTake QuizWhat Squishmallow Am I QuizWhat Squishmallow Am I QuizTake Quiz wikiHow
  • Categories
  • Food and Entertaining
  • Recipes
  • Meat
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.
  • Home
  • About wikiHow
  • Experts
  • Jobs
  • Contact Us
  • Site Map
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Info
  • Not Selling Info
  • Contribute

Follow Us

×

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve

Let's go! X --723

Tag » How To Cook A Squirrel