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 usually lean and very high in protein. The leanest cuts are the fillet and the tenderloin. Wild boar fillets are excellent for preparing as steaks. However, the neck can also be prepared very well as a steak. Leg and shoulder, on the other hand, are not suitable for this preparation method when it comes to wild boar. These are better suited for a roasting pan.

Fun fact: When talking about wild boar medallions, one always refers to the tenderloin. There are no separate cuts of medallions for wild boar.

By the way, the preparation method is the same for all cuts. You can cook your meat either forwards or backwards. This means that you can either sear your meat on all sides and then gently bring it to your desired core temperature, or you can slowly pre-cook it first and then expose it to direct heat for the finish. No matter which method you choose, the core 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.

Always bring your game meat to room temperature before preparation. Tempering will make it easier for you to bring the meat to the desired core temperature later. Room temperature is also recommended because you only need to take it out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before preparation. Important: If your meat is frozen, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight beforehand.

If you prefer a marinade, marinate the meat 24 hours before preparation. A possible marinade can be found further down in our guide. Marinating in buttermilk can also be recommended, but this dampens the wild boar's natural flavor.

In the meantime, you can prepare your pan, oven, charcoal or gas grill. If you are preparing it in a pan, you should preheat your oven. Prepare a direct and indirect zone on the grill. When grilling, you will switch between these two zones. The preparation can be done either forwards or backwards. Both are possible. This means you can either sear it and then slowly cook it to the desired core temperature, or you can gently cook it first and then finish it at high heat.

So that you can prepare the lean meat lightly pink with a beautiful crust, we have a step-by-step guide for you:

1. Remove the silver skin from the raw meat
2. Sear it on all sides (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. Distribute the hazelnuts on the bacon and the 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 a core temperature of 62 °C
12. Then remove the meat from the grill or oven
13. Let the steak rest for a few more minutes
14. Slice with a sharp knife
15. Finally, season with salt and pepper

This is how your meat will be perfect and ready to serve. You can find more about meat preparation on our YouTube channel. We have numerous videos as tutorials as well as tips and recipes there. This includes a short video on this recipe.

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

Buttermilk can also be helpful. It has a similar effect to the marinade. However, buttermilk tends to mellow the flavor of wild boar. This can be advisable for meat from older animals, but it is not necessary for younger ones.