How to prepare wild boar fillet properly | Tender grilled wild boar

Does wild boar fillet come only from the back of the wild boar, or does a whole boar have to be used for a fillet ? Many questions arise when preparing wild boar fillet , and the correct preparation can be tricky. Such a valuable piece of meat should be handled with care. We'll tell you how in this guide.

If you want to prepare wild boar as a steak, there are certain cuts that are ideal for this. We'll explain which cuts you can use and what core temperature you need for each cut.

Game meat is generally lean and very high in protein. The leanest cuts are the fillet and the back fillet . Wild boar fillets are excellent for preparing steaks. The neck also makes a great steak. The leg and shoulder, however, are not suitable for this preparation method. These are better prepared in a roasting pan.

Fun fact: When talking about wild boar medallions, we're always referring to the back fillet . Wild boar medallions aren't available as separate cuts.

The preparation method is the same for all cuts . You can cook your meat forward or backward. This means you can either sear it on all sides and then gently bring it to your desired internal temperature, or you can pre-cook it slowly and then expose it to direct heat for the final finish. Regardless of which method you choose, the internal temperature is essential.

To achieve the perfect game flavor while keeping your steak tender, cooking time and internal temperature are crucial. Cooking time varies depending on the size of your cut of meat, so it's best to base your cooking on the internal temperature. To ensure your game is cooked pink and cooked to perfection, we've put together a brief overview for you:

• Core temperature of back fillet : 60 - 64 °C
• Core temperature fillet : 60 - 62 °C
• Core temperature of neck steak : 80 °C

If your grilled food exceeds these temperatures, it will be fully cooked and dry quickly.

Are you looking for the right meat , the perfect temperature, and the safest method for your meat? Then we're here to help. With our preparation and cooking tips, your wild boar fillet will be a success.

To prepare a tender wild boar fillet , you should first make a few preparations. First, make sure you have fresh meat . When buying the meat , pay attention to its appearance and smell. If it has a black or brownish tinge, or smells sweet, then you shouldn't eat it. It should have a nutty aroma. Therefore, always make sure you buy your meat from a butcher. This way you can verify its freshness and origin. Therefore, stay away from frozen meat from the supermarket.

Be sure to bring your venison to room temperature before cooking. Tempering makes it easier to bring the meat to the desired internal temperature later. Room temperature is also recommended because you only need to remove it from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. Important: If your meat is frozen, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

If you prefer a marinade, soak the meat in it 24 hours before cooking. You can find a possible marinade further down in our guide. Marinating in buttermilk is also recommended. However, this will mutes the wild boar's natural flavor.

Meanwhile, you can prepare your pan, oven, charcoal grill, or gas grill. If cooking in a pan, you should preheat your oven. Prepare a direct and indirect cooking zone on the grill . You'll be alternating between these two zones while grilling. Cooking can be done either forward or reverse. Both are possible. This means you can either sear it quickly and then slowly cook it to the desired internal temperature, or cook it gently first and then finish it at high heat.

To help you prepare the lean meat slightly pink with a nice crust, we have a step-by-step guide for you:

1. Remove the silver skin from the raw meat
2. Fry it on all sides until golden brown for about two minutes
3. Grind hazelnuts in a mortar
4. Prepare bacon slices for wrapping
5. Brush the bacon with honey
6. Spread the hazelnuts on the bacon and fillet
7. Wrap the fillet with the bacon
8. Now place the fillet in the oven or grill
9. The oven or grill temperature should be 220 - 230 °C
10. Let the steak cook for 15 minutes
11. Bring it to an internal temperature of 62 °C
12. Then remove the meat from the grill or oven
13. Let the steak rest for a few minutes
14. Cut with a sharp knife
15. Finally season with salt and pepper

This will make your meat perfect, and you're ready to serve it. You can find out more about preparing meat on our YouTube channel . We have numerous video tutorials, tips, and recipes there. This includes a short video about this recipe .

To perfectly marinate your venison, you'll need some game spices . You'll achieve the best flavor development by combining the following: juniper berries, bay leaves, star anise, mustard seeds, pepper , and salt . You can also use our ready-made game spice mix . This contains cocoa, which adds a special flavor to the marinade. Mix the spices with olive oil to create a flavorful marinade for your lean meat . Marinate the meat in it for at least 24 hours and store it in the refrigerator. The oil breaks down the protein structure of the game , making it even more tender.

Buttermilk can also be helpful. It has a similar effect to the marinade. However, buttermilk mellows the flavor of the wild boar. This may be advisable for meat from older animals, but it's not necessary for young animals.