How Long to Fry Squirrel? 
If you want to know how long to fry squirrel, you’re not alone. If you’re curious about what goes into a squirrel fry, this article will help you prepare the perfect meal. We’ll cover the ingredients, cooking time, preparation method, and health risks. You’ll also learn about the different ways you can prepare the delicious treat. To begin, you can saute some peppers and onions in butter and then add the squirrel. After this, you can fry the squirrel for 1 to 2 minutes on each side.
Cooking times
The USDA recommends using a cooking thermometer to cook squirrel. The meat should reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit, but the squirrel may still be pink inside. Cooking the squirrel in butter or BBQ sauce before frying will add more flavor and sweetness. For optimal cooking results, cook the squirrels in batches of one to two pieces at a time. Once the squirrel is ready, remove it from the oil and keep warm on a tinfoil plate.
Squirrel meat has a similar taste to rabbit, but it is less gamey. The meat is also a rich source of vitamin B12 and iron, but it is high in cholesterol. Cooking squirrel meat slowly will ensure tender meat. If you’re preparing squirrel meat for a party, make sure to serve two pieces for each guest. After the cooking time is complete, allow the meat to rest for three minutes before serving.
Ingredients
You can prepare fried squirrel in a similar manner as fried chicken or venison. Firstly, remove the skin and body from the squirrel. Next, quarter the animal. Next, cut the saddle and abdomen section from behind the rib cage. Once the meat is cut into pieces, place them in a mixing bowl. Add 2 1/2 cups of buttermilk to the mixture. Mix well. Sprinkle the pieces with salt and pepper. Then, place the bowl on a baking sheet and cook in the oven for approximately 30 minutes or until the meat is cooked through.
If you don’t have a deep fryer, you can use a skillet and use a small amount of oil. This method will produce a nice crispy fried squirrel. Once the oil reaches 350 degrees, add a few drops of water to it. When the water in the oil begins to sizzle, it is ready to use. Be sure to remove the squirrel from the oil after a few minutes so that it doesn’t absorb the excess water from the egg wash.
Preparation methods
There are a few preparation methods you can use for frying squirrel, such as coating it in salt, garlic powder, or cayenne, and dredging it in flour. You should heat a pan filled with about an inch of oil to 350 degrees. Add the pieces of squirrel and fry them for about five minutes, or until they are golden brown. Then, you can remove them and serve with the remaining sauce and vegetables.
To prepare your squirrel, start by cutting it into small pieces, then marinating it in buttermilk. Buttermilk has mild acidity and active cultures that tenderize the meat. Buttermilk also does not require an egg dredge. Then, you can dredge the pieces in seasoned flour. After that, you can fry them as usual. This method is great if you have extra buttermilk or do not want to use eggs.
Health risks
If you’ve ever tried frying a squirrel, you may wonder about its health risks. Squirrel droppings are known to contain harmful bacteria, including salmonella, which can cause diarrhea and vomiting. Severe cases may require medical attention. Squirrel droppings also contain the disease leptospirosis, which usually presents with flu-like symptoms but can be deadly. Fortunately, most of these diseases are easily treatable, but they are still a serious risk.
Squirrel meat is high in cholesterol, and isn’t recommended for anyone with high cholesterol. You should only eat squirrel meat from reputable sources, and it’s best to limit your consumption if you have a high cholesterol level. Although it’s rare for squirrels to carry rabies, you can’t assume that squirrel meat is completely safe to eat. To avoid these risks, be sure to thoroughly clean your squirrel before cooking it. Cooking it thoroughly also helps to prevent the spread of disease.
Recipes
One of the most common questions that a newbie to cooking wild game asks is “How long to fry squirrel?” This can be an intimidating question for anyone. However, it’s not impossible. There are many recipes for fried squirrel, and a few tips to ensure yours is the best are listed below. The first step is cleaning your squirrel. Then, cut it into quarters behind the rib cage. Slice off the saddle and abdominal section of the animal. Place each piece of meat into two and a half cups of buttermilk. After 10 minutes, remove the squirrel from the oil and drain on paper towels.
Next, brush the entire squirrel with a mixture of flour and water. Place it in the pan and cook until golden brown. Once done, remove it from the oven and place it in a warm place. After cooking, you may want to brush the squirrel with a sauce and serve it with a side of vegetables. You may also want to saute some onions and pepper in butter before you serve it. Once the squirrel is ready, remove it from the pot and place it on a plate.
What is the ideal temperature to fry squirrel?
The ideal temperature to fry squirrel is 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
What is the ideal cooking time for squirrel?
The ideal cooking time for squirrel is 10-12 minutes.
What are the best spices to use when frying squirrel?
The best spices to use when frying squirrel are salt pepper and paprika.
How do you ensure that the squirrel is cooked evenly?
You ensure that the squirrel is cooked evenly by flipping it every few minutes.
What kind of oil is best to use when frying squirrel?
The best oil to use when frying squirrel is peanut oil.
What should you do if the oil starts to smoke?
If the oil starts to smoke you should reduce the heat.
What kind of flour is best to use when frying squirrel?
The best flour to use when frying squirrel is all-purpose flour.
What is the best way to keep the squirrel from sticking to the skillet?
The best way to keep the squirrel from sticking to the skillet is to make sure that it is coated evenly with flour.
Should you pre-cook the squirrel before frying it?
No you should not pre-cook the squirrel before frying it.
What should you do if the squirrel starts to get too dark?
If the squirrel starts to get too dark you should reduce the heat.
What should you do if the squirrel is not cooked through?
If the squirrel is not cooked through you should continue cooking it until it is no longer pink in the center.
What is the best way to serve fried squirrel?
The best way to serve fried squirrel is with a side of mashed potatoes and gravy.
Can you reheat fried squirrel?
Yes you can reheat fried squirrel.
How do you reheat fried squirrel?
You can reheat fried squirrel by placing it in a 350 degree Fahrenheit oven for 10-15 minutes.
What is the shelf life of fried squirrel?
The shelf life of fried squirrel is 3-4 days.
Jessica Watson is a PHD holder from the University of Washington. She studied behavior and interaction between squirrels and has presented her research in several wildlife conferences including TWS Annual Conference in Winnipeg.
