How to prepare wild boar chops properly - Wild boar and more

Especially when it comes to wild boar, chops are a popular choice. However, wild boar can't be prepared quite the same way as pork . There are numerous points to consider. Otherwise, the venison will not turn out well, and the high-quality meat will quickly be ruined. For this reason, we have a comprehensive guide for you.

Wild boar can be prepared in various ways. However, this varies depending on the cut. Here's a brief overview of the different cuts and general preparation methods for you.

The best way to prepare wild boar leg is as a braised roast. To do this, sear the leg on all sides until golden brown and then season with salt and pepper . Juniper berries, bay leaves, garlic, thyme, and rosemary also make excellent seasonings. There are also ready-made game spice blends available to simplify the seasoning process. Then, place your leg in an open roasting pan and bake it in the oven at 160°C (320°F) until it reaches an internal temperature of 68 to 70°C (158 to 158°F).

Wild boar fillet is best prepared by cooking it in advance. This means first searing the fillet on all sides and then letting it cook slowly. This requires an internal temperature of 60 to 62°C. To make your fillet even more delicious, you can wrap it in bacon before cooking. You can find a delicious recipe for wild boar fillet in this video .

You can prepare wild boar loin either as a steak or as a roast. When preparing it as a steak, sear it first and then let it cook slowly. Alternatively, you can first pull it up slowly and then finish it over high heat.

However, if you want to prepare the wild boar loin as a roast, you should focus on a pot roast. To do this, first sear the loin on all sides in a pan, then place the meat in a roasting pan with vegetables. Pour in some liquid, close the lid, and cook in the oven or on the grill at 160°C for several hours.

Wild boar shoulder is perfect for goulash. Cut the shoulder into bite-sized pieces and brown them in a pot/roasting pan with a little bacon or clarified butter . Then add diced vegetables and deglaze with a liquid of your choice. Then braise it in your grill at approximately 150 to 180°C with the lid closed for 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can also cook it in a pot. Set your stove to low heat. Here 's a short video on how to make wild boar goulash .

You can cook wild boar chops either on the grill or in a pan. However, this differs from a steak, and depending on the thickness, the cooking time also varies. For this reason, you'll find more detailed information and a comprehensive breakdown of the correct cooking method in the next section.

Wild boar cooks excellently in a pan. Whether chops or steaks, such as fillet , are excellent as a simple pan dish. We've summarized the most important points for you in this guide.

To help you prepare your cutlet in the pan, we have a small checklist for you to make the preparation easier:

1. Bring your chop to room temperature
2. Roughly scrape off the marinade (if you marinated it)
3. Heat ghee or clarified butter in your pan
4. Place the venison in the pan
5. Fry the chops on both sides until golden brown over medium to high heat
6. If your cutlet is breaded or flattened, use a low to medium heat
7. Bring the chop to an internal temperature of 62 °C
8. Now let the meat rest for a few minutes
9. Cut it with a sharp knife
10. Season it with pepper and salt
11. Serve it with a glass of red wine

With these basics, your chop will be crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. But if you prefer a steak, we have instructions for you in the next section.

If you want a tender steak from the pan, you should opt for the fillet. Wild boar fillet is known for its tenderness. It is also particularly lean and the noblest cut of the entire animal. The game flavor is guaranteed even without fat content. For preparation, we recommend cooking the steak by searing it first. When frying in a pan, proceed as follows:

First, you should heat the pan. In the meantime, make sure the meat is free of sinews. Then heat oil in a pan. We recommend olive oil. You can also use bacon, pork fat, or clarified butter as well as ghee. After that, you can sear the steak on both sides. Two minutes of frying (on each side) is sufficient. Now place the steak in the oven and cook it at approx. 220 to 230 °C to a core temperature of 62 °C. The cooking time is about 15 minutes.

Once your steak has reached the desired core temperature, let it rest for a few minutes before cutting it with a sharp knife. Afterwards, you can season it with salt and pepper and then serve.

Professional tip: Wrap your fillet with bacon before placing it in the oven. This gives the steak a crispy crust and an extra aroma.

In this video, you'll find more inspiration for preparing wild boar steak.

Alternatively, you can also fry the steak in a pan without using the oven. However, we do not recommend this. If you still want to try it, you can fry the steak in butter and deglaze with red wine. Important: When the steak is done, you should let it drain briefly.

Game spices, such as juniper, thyme, and bay leaves, can then be added directly to the pan, and the steak can be repeatedly basted with the melted butter in the pan. The core temperature of 62 °C remains the same with this method. If you don't have a measuring device at hand, make sure the steak has a golden-brown color.

A strong sauce is particularly suitable for this method. This enhances the flavors of the game meat.

Each cut of game meat requires a different internal temperature. We've created an overview for you:

• Core temperature fillet : 60 - 62 °C
• Core temperature of leg : 68 - 70 °C.
• Core temperature of chop: 62 °C
• Core temperature shoulder : 78 - 82 °C
• Core temperature back: 60 - 64 °C
• Core temperature neck : 78 - 80 °C

If you follow these points, nothing should go wrong when preparing your venison. However, there is one more important point: the right marinade.

You don't need much to properly marinate your steak . With just a few ingredients and a few simple steps, you can create a flavorful marinade for your venison . Mix crushed juniper berries, bay leaves, mustard seeds, star anise, salt , and pepper with olive oil to create your marinade. Marinate your meat overnight and store it in the refrigerator. Before preparing your venison , remove most of the marinade and bring the meat to room temperature. This will not only make your steak buttery tender, but also impart a wonderful flavor. Alternatively, you can marinate the venison in buttermilk. This has a similar effect.