Eagles are a majestic bird that is known to be the symbol of America.
They are what we think of when we see stars and stripes on our flag.
Some people say it tastes similar to chicken, while others claim it’s closer to beef.
Even more curious what the meat from an Eagle tastes like? Well, now you can find out for yourself.
This article will explore what Eagles taste like, how to cook them, and what dishes you can make with the meat.
What is Eagle?
Eagle meat is a type of game meat that can be found in parts of the world.
The most popular types are Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle, and American Hawk.
The eagle belongs to the family Accipitridae, the same as many hawks and most other birds of prey.
They have a reputation for being solitary hunters that will attack anything from tiny mammals to large ungulates such as deer or bison.
Eagles were hunted for sport by Native Americans who would share them with other tribes and sell the meat to settlers traveling west during America’s expansion period.
Today, hunting these birds is prohibited in the United States, but they are still hunted for game meat on a smaller scale.
Eagles were traditionally considered sacred birds by many Native American tribes, and it was taboo to eat them outside of ceremonial events.
For this reason, eating an Eagle could result in serious sanctions from tribal elders or community leaders who may believe the eagle has been killed without due ceremony.
Can You Eat Eagle Meat?
Eagles are not typically eaten in the United States.
Eagles and their eggs can only be hunted for subsistence purposes by indigenous people belonging to federally recognized tribes, with a permit from the federal government.
The eagles cannot be sold or traded as part of commercial transactions.
If you want to eat eagle meat, your best bet is to head off into the woods and find an eagle.
Nutritional Benefits of Eagle Meat
Some people believe that eagle meat is a delicacy, but in reality, it has many health benefits.
Eagles are scavengers and eat almost anything they come across, which protects them from parasites.
They also have an incredibly efficient digestive system, so the nutrients stay within their bodies.
Eagle meat is high in protein, with only 115 calories per serving.
Their meat is also low in saturated fat and high in iron, which can help treat anemia and calcium for strong teeth and bones.
Like other birds, they are high in Vitamin A and Omega-three fatty acids, which can help to reduce the risk of heart disease.
Since eagles eat almost anything, including scraps from farms, they do not have any negative health impacts from pesticides or other chemicals.
They are often caught using techniques like baiting or shooting them with a powerful crossbow while they’re at their nest.
They then need to be skinned and cooked before eating.
Eagles are a protected species, and hunting them isn’t legal in the US or most other countries.
What Does Eagle Taste Like? Does Eagle Meat Taste Good?
Eagle meat is very dark, and the texture resembles that of beef.
It has a gamey flavor with notes of wildfowl like waterfowl or pheasant.
The taste is not too different from other game meats that are more common in the United States, like venison or waterfowl.
In contrast to more traditional meat proteins and calories, a serving of eagle has just 115 calories with only two grams of fat, making it an excellent source for lean protein without all the saturated fats found in some meat products.
Eagle tastes very much like chicken.
It’s a little tougher, but it can be tenderized with hours of marinating in salt and lemon juice before cooking.
And considering that the bird is so lean – even non-meat eaters will appreciate its lack of fat.
Once cooked, the meat will not be dry but should still have a moist and firm texture.
The biggest difference is that it tastes like chicken with an earthier flavor than most other meats.
This contrasts heavily with its oily, gamey taste when raw, making people think of strong flavors of beef or duck (or goose).
How to Cook Eagle?
Like any other quality meat, an eagle is best when it’s had time to marinate and tenderize.
We will use a mix of red wine vinegar, honey, soy sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder for this technique.
Start by adding a tablespoon of each ingredient to the bottom of your metal baking dish.
We recommend using something with high sides, so it is easy to baste.
Next, cut the eagle into desired serving-size pieces and add them to the baking dish.
Coat all sides of each piece with a thick layer of your marinade mix until it becomes almost too heavy for you to use.
Finally, cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil or another oven-safe lid and set the oven to 350 degrees F.
You will want to cook your eagle for at least 30 minutes, but it is up to you how long until they are ready.
When checking on the marinating, baste all sides of each piece using a sprig of fresh thyme or other herbs and spices as desired.
Continue cooking until done.
Your eagle is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Conclusion
Although it isn’t legal to eat eagle meat, it is possible to cook and eat the bird if you’re a hunter.
Eagle meat is very lean and gamey meat that tastes similar to chicken in some ways.
They taste different from other birds primarily because they are not raised in captivity or specifically bred for food consumption.
What Does Eagle Taste Like? Does Eagle Meat Taste Good?
Ingredients
- Eagle meat
- Ingredients from your favorite recipes
Instructions
- Depending on the recipes you choose, the taste can vastly differ.
- For authentic results, it is important to choose a recipe that will highlight the original flavor.
- Have fun experimenting with different recipes and taste tests!
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