Wild boar goulash, a robust and flavorful stew, is a traditional dish that pays homage to the rustic culinary traditions of Central and Eastern Europe. This hearty recipe transforms the rich, gamey meat of wild boar into a tender and succulent delicacy, perfectly complemented by a blend of aromatic herbs and spices. The goulash is slowly cooked to allow the flavors to blend, creating a deep and complex taste profile. Ideal for a cozy dinner or a special occasion, wild boar goulash is a celebration of traditional cooking methods and the unadulterated flavors of the wilderness.
You will have to start with the meat. Preferably you can already find wild boar meat prepared for goulash. This means the meat is already cut into cubes. If you buy a piece of meat, you will have to cut it into small cubes. The best will be if you can find fresh meat from a local supplier. You don’t have to go crazy after fresh meat though, as frozen one will also work great.If you are in USA you can get good quality and decent prices from Broken Arrow Ranch.
Is wild boar meat good to eat?
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Wild boar meat is a distinctive and highly prized ingredient, known for its rich, complex flavor that sets it apart from conventional pork. Characterized by a deep, earthy taste with nutty undertones, it offers a unique culinary experience. The meat is leaner than domestic pork, with a darker color, reflecting its wild origin and natural diet. This lean quality results in a firmer texture, yet when cooked properly, it becomes wonderfully tender and succulent.
High in protein and low in fat (also in cholesterol), wild boar meat is not only flavorful but also a healthier alternative to traditional red meats. Its versatility allows it to be prepared in various ways, from roasting to slow-cooking in stews, making it a favorite among chefs and gourmands seeking to add a touch of the wild to their cuisine. The meat’s robustness pairs excellently with bold seasonings and hearty sides, making it a standout choice for dishes that require meat with character and depth.
How do you cook wild boar?
Cooking wild boar meat requires a good approach to bring out its best flavors and textures, due to its lean nature and rich taste. Some popular cooking methods that work well with wild boar are:
- Slow Roasting: Slow roasting is ideal for larger cuts of wild boar. This method allows the meat to cook evenly and become tender over several hours. Season the meat with herbs and spices, and roast it at a low temperature in the oven. This method is perfect for keeping the meat moist and enhancing its natural flavors.
- Braising: The meat is first seared at a high temperature to develop a rich crust, and then slowly cooked in a flavorful liquid like stock, wine, or a combination of both. This method helps break down tougher fibers, resulting in tender and juicy meat.
- Stewing: Similar to braising, stewing involves cooking the meat in a liquid, but usually in smaller pieces. It’s a great way to infuse the wild boar with various flavors from herbs, spices, and vegetables. Wild boar stews are hearty and rich, perfect for colder days.
- Grilling: For tender cuts, grilling is a fantastic option. It imparts a smoky flavor to the meat and can create a delightful char on the outside while keeping the inside juicy. Since wild boar is lean, it’s important to watch the cooking time and temperature to avoid drying out the meat.
- Sous Vide: This method involves vacuum-sealing the meat and cooking it in a water bath at a precisely controlled temperature. It’s an excellent way to achieve a perfectly cooked, tender result. Sous vide cooking allows the flavors to develop fully and keeps the meat moist.
- Marinating: Before any of these cooking methods, marinating the wild boar can enhance its flavor and tenderness. Use acidic components like vinegar or citrus juice mixed with herbs and spices. Since the meat is lean, a good marinade can help to tenderize and add moisture.
Each method brings out different qualities in wild boar meat, making it a versatile and exciting ingredient to work with, in the kitchen
How to cook
In my case, I choose to make it goulash. I did the recipe in November, so a hearty stew was perfect for the cold weather. The wild boar meat was bought frozen from an online shop. I wanted to buy beef and somehow I ended up in the basket with wild boar.
You can use your normal goulash ingredients to make the wild boar goulash recipe. In my case, I use carrots, red bell peppers, garlic, onion, tomato juice, fresh tomatoes, and smoked paprika.To all these ingredients I also added smoked bacon cubes. This will improve the flavor of the entire dish.
Slow cooked wild boar
I decided to do my wild boar goulash with a Crockpot. Slowly cooked to perfection. You can use any slow cooker for this recipe or you can even cook it on the stove. Whatever method you choose, the initial steps are the same. Start by preparing the vegetables. Slice the carrots and dice the onion and the garlic. I like to cut the red bell pepper in strips, but you are free to dice it if you like.
The first step will be on the stove. Add some oil to a pan and cook the bacon pieces. Take it out (into the Crockpot) and in the remaining fat cook the onion until translucent and the garlic until fragrant. Transfer everything into the Crockpot or the pot where you want to slow cook the wild boar goulash.
In the same pan add the wild boar meat and cook it until brown, then transfer to the Crockpot.
Crockpot Wild Boar Goulash
If you are using a Crockpot the stove part will end here. You will now continue to add to the Crockpot, on top of the browned wild boar meat, the cubed tomatoes, the carrot slices, the red paprika slices and the tomato juice. Don’t forget about spices, so add smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. If you like it hot, you can add some hot paprika as well.
After you have all the ingredients in the pot, add 200ml of water and mix everything. Set your Crockpot on High for 4 hours or on Low for 7 hours and let it cook.
When the time is up, you can make the sauce a bit more creamy, if you wish. For this, mix 1 Tbsp. of flour with warm water. Add the mixture into the Crockpot and mix well. Depending on the desired consistency, you can add more water to make it thinner or repeat the flour step to make the sauce even more thicker.
Wild Boar Goulash on Stove
Making wild boar goulash on the stove is a rewarding process that involves slow cooking to bring out the flavors of the meat and the aromatic spices. Once you finish browning your meat, you can add the remaining ingredients as in the Crockpot case. The difference will be that the pot in which you are cooking will be placed on the stove over low heat. Check for liquid from time to time and add some water if needed. Also, each time you are checking for liquid you must stir in the ingredients in the pot to make sure they are not sticking to the bottom of the pan. The cooking time should be 4 hours.
This method is more involved than the Crockpot option, but I can assure you that this slow-cooked wild boar goulash offers a depth of flavor and tenderness that makes it worth the time and effort.
For serving use fresh chopped parsley on top of the goulash. Serve it as it is or with a side dish of boiled or mashed potatoes. If you are cooking this in the right season, pair it with our Roasted mushrooms recipe.
Wild Boar Goulash
Yield: 4
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
Indulge your taste buds in a hearty journey through the rustic flavors of the wilderness with our Wild Boar Goulash recipe. Immerse yourself in the rich and robust essence of this traditional Eastern European dish, elevated to new heights with the bold and untamed character of wild boar meat. Slow-cooked to perfection, this goulash captures the essence of the untamed forests, blending tender wild boar with a symphony of aromatic spices, paprika, and hearty vegetables. Unleash the wild side of your culinary prowess and savor the untamed essence of this savory stew that promises to transport your senses to the heart of the wilderness.
Ingredients
- wild boar meat - 300g
- Bacon cubes - 100g
- carrots - 3 pcs
- carrots - 3 pcs
- red bell pepper - 2 pcs
- red bell pepper - 2 pcs
- onion - 1 medium onion
- onion - 1 medium onion
- garlic - 4 cloves
- garlic - 4 cloves
- tomatoes - 2 tomatoes
- tomatoes - 2 tomatoes
- tomato juice - 400g
- tomato juice - 400g
- oregano - 1 Tsp.
- oregano - 1 Tsp.
- smoked paprika - 1 Tbsp.
- smoked paprika - 1 Tbsp.
- salt and pepper
- salt and pepper
- sunflower oil - 2 Tbsp.
- sunflower oil - 2 Tbsp.
- 1 Tbsp. of flour - optional
- 1 Tbsp. of flour - optional
Instructions
- Start by preparing all the ingredients so the cooking process will go smoothly after.
- Dice the onion and cut the garlic into small pieces. Cut the red bell pepper into small strips, the carrot into rounds and the tomato into cubes. Actually, here you can cut the vegetables as you like. if you want to julienne everything, feel free to do it.
- Cut the meat into small cubes.
- For the cooking process, you will have to start on the stove. Heat the frying oil in a pan (medium heat) and add the bacon cubes. Cook them for 1-2 minutes and then remove them into the Crockpot bowl. Try to leave as much as possible from the fat into the cooking pan.
- Add the onion to the remaining fat and cook it until translucent.
- Add the garlic. Continue to cook for another 1 minute or until fragrant and transfer everything into the Crockpot.
- Add the wild boar cubes in the same pan and fry them on all sides for a few minutes until you get a bit of browning. When done transfer also the meat into the Crockpot. The stove part ends here.
- Into the Crockpot add the tomato cubes, tomato juice, red paprika strips, and carrots. Season with salt, pepper, oregano, and smoked paprika. I like to add also something spicy like cayenne pepper seeds or harissa. The amount of spicy stuff depends on your taste.
- Add 200ml of water and mix everything.
- Set the crockpot on High for 4 hours or on low for 7 hours.
- When the time is over, if you want the goulash to be a bit creamy, mix a bit of warm water and 1 tbsp of flour. Add this mixture into the crockpot and slowly mix everything. Depending on the consistency you want, you can repeat this step, or add a bit of water to make the sauce thinner again.
- Serve the Wild Boar Goulash with fresh parsley on top. As a side, if you need one, feel free to use boiled potatoes, mashed potatoes, or even gnocchi.
- Enjoy!
Notes
If you do not have a slow cooker, you can make the recipe on the stove. There are a few changes needed for this as follows:
1. Use a pot instead of the pan.
2. After cooking the onion and garlic add directly the meat and roast. Then, add the bell pepper and the rest of the ingredients as described in the recipe.
3. Reduce the stove to low heat and use a lid for the pot. Mix from time to time and check for liquid. Add more water if there is not enough liquid in the pot. The cooking time on the stove will be 4 hours.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 333Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 69mgSodium: 414mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 5gSugar: 11gProtein: 24g
Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.
