Award winning Chef Ace Champions passion for cooking began years before his culinary career. The skin can be very tough, and is best removed before cooking. If you cant afford the tenderloin, this cut is your next best bet. 4. Shake to coat. Size: 8 vacuum sealed 5 lb. But cooking it? How to Cook Brussels Sprouts on the Stove, in the Oven & More, http://www.wideopencountry.com/youll-hunting-alligators-seeing-gator-meat-recipe/, https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/84273/alligator-fingers/, https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/fried-alligator-nuggets-recipe-1941458. But the most important thing to remember is that all the techniques you can use to cook are basically the same. Features: wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. The alligator tail tastes very mild. Don't hunt? And, if you have the time, let it marinate for a while in a flavorful sauce or marinade. 5. You will have more of the Chili Garlic Mayo than you need for this recipe. Grill the alligator for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until cooked through. That said, there are a few things you can do to make sure your alligator meat turns out delicious. How do you know if catfish is safe to eat? Shake to coat. Cooking Spray. You want it done.) Remove the alligator from the dry spices. In another shallow bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, spices, salt and pepper. Cooking alligator fillets can be a fun and easy experience if you follow these simple steps. Instructions on how to actually killthe alligator aren't included but even if they were, um, don't try to get alligator meat that way. Alligator tenderloin somewhat resembles veal and tastes like a cross between frog legs and turtle meat. Blackened Louisiana Alligator Slider. If its not, then its likely still in its first stage of cooking. (function(d, s, id) { There are mainly three methods, namely fried, boiled and grilled. Alligator meat is typically slightly salty and has a distinctive flavor. 6. Cut the meat into 1-inch thick slices. Remove to paper towels, and serve hot. 3. Avoid overcrowding the oil with pieces of meat. The meat should have soaked up the rest of the liquid. The belly, which is the part of the cut that contains the fat, is cut into bite-sized portions. Make a sauce using the stock and drippings in the pan while the steaks rest, if desired. Here, well take a look at some of the best meat options for everyday. At French Quarter restaurant Kingfish (337 Chartres St., 504-598-5005; www.kingfishneworleans.com), chef Nathan Richard pulls from his Cajun u. Im here to talk about food and cooking, and to share some of my favorite recipes with you all! Grilling and frying are some of the most popular ways to cook alligator, and both methods are perfect for an aspiring chef. Youll just want to be choosy about which recipes you use for the different cuts. Braise the steaks for another 30 minutes and check their tenderness with a fork. In fact, its been legal to do so for about 100 years. Alligator meat is often seen as healthier than beef, due to its high quality proteins and low levels of cholesterol. 1 Pat the alligator meat dry. Place the alligator fillet on a baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes, or until it is cooked through. Alligator red meat, including the legs and other tougher parts of muscle, are better if braised in a sauce, Pearce said, such as alligator sauce picante or another long-cooked dish. Let it boil for five minutes (or more depending on the amount of fish. After its been cooked, the meat is placed into a cold storage area for the meat to cool. You can cook tough alligator steaks, such as fillets, in a pan, but tougher cuts, such as sirloin, flank and tail, need to be braised. To prepare dipping sauce, mix together in a small bowl the mayonnaise, horseradish, brown mustard, and red wine vinegar. pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, spices, kosher salt, mayonnaise and 9 more. Growing up in Louisiana, Ace found a passion for southern and creole cooking at a young age, but soon found himself quite successful on the football field. Sonnier has made many alligator dishes in his career. The hot oil can splash out of the pan and cause serious burns. Sunny days, warm water temperatures, still water conditions and excess nutrients all contribute to blue-green algae blooms, environmentalists said. One way to tell is to look at the color of the alligator. Category: dinner. How do you know when alligator is done cooking. 10. Welcome back to our Channel! When oil is hot, place meat pieces into oil, being careful not to overcrowd. Read more. The legs, which chef Greg Sonnier smokes at Kingfish as gator "wings" with a tomato gastrique, are red meat and not as tender, Pearce said. And of course, it always tastes great pan-seared or fried to a golden crisp! Continue frying the meat 3-4 pieces at a time until all of the pieces are cooked and cooled. The study, which was conducted by the World Health Organization, found that foods with healthy fats and fibers are the healthiest among all foods. Some in the industry consider this portion of the alligator to be the equivalent of fillet mignon. Check the steaks' internal temperature with a meat thermometer to make sure they reach 165 degrees before serving. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes, until gator floats in oil. Of course, you can also cook using different food types. Instructions. Don't miss a story! When you think of alligator fillet, you may think that its tough and chewy. The ice will slowly start to remove the skin. I've eaten my share of the alligator dishes at Jazz Fest. Tail meat is a choice cut of white meat that is mild in flavor with a texture similar to veal. Here are a few tips on how to cook alligator fillets: 1. Helpful. Fry until golden brown, about 3 minutes. How to Cook Bone-In Pork Strips in the Grilling a Top Sirloin Filet in a Cast How to Sear Tenderloin Steak and Cook A.J. Ive been cooking professionally for about 10 years now, and Ive loved every minute of it! Add the Breading/Batter Mix to a shallow bowl. tablespoon olive oil, 2 tablespoon Cajun seasoning. After the gator has been on the smoker for about 3 hours, add the glaze. Thread alligator onto skewers. Today, milk processors have made it easier to process milk, so there is no need to soak alligators in milk. Alligator meat is a popular dish in the southern United States. Bring the liquid to a boil and thicken it with roux or a cornstarch slurry and simmer for about 10 minutes. Heat your grill to high. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. In fact, if you do soak alligator meat, you may end up washing away some of the flavor. There are various cooking methods that you can use to cook alligator. It's also super juice and tender. Sonnier has . Stir everything gently so you do not knock off the crispy exterior. Curious? If there's still some pink in the middle, put the kabobs back on the grill for 1 minute before serving them. The rest of the alligator can then be removed from the bone. This will help ensure that they will cook evenly and not get too tough or dry. Christie Girls Can Grill. How long does it take to cook alligator meat? The smaller, younger alligators produce the most tender alligator meat possible, without any use of preservatives or additives. It looks like a dunce cap, long and skinny. Avoid overloading your kabobs. Weve got you covered, cher! For instance, some anglers prefer cutting the fish into fillets and frying everything up. Grilled Cajun Style Gator Tail. It is also much easier to slice if it is boiled first. Heat vegetable shortening in a large cast-iron skillet until it registers 350F (176C) or use a recommended electric deep fryer. If desired, sprinkle top with shredded cheese after baking. Add Kosher or sea salt, brown sugar and white sugar to the water in the cooler and let the gator sit in the brine for 16 hours. Still other recipes are cooked using a microwave. The meat of an alligator is high in protein and fat, providing both nutrients and calories for humans. Grilled alligator is more popular because of the meats texture. Put 1 pound (0.45 kg) of alligator meat into a bowl and add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 19,580 times. can Rotel tomatoes; Salt and pepper to taste; Instructions . Simply remove them, and eat them immediately. If using a pan or skillet, cover it with a piece of foil a few inches larger and place the lid or a lid close to its size on top of the foil. In fact, one of the best ways to cook it is to brine it. Place the alligator fillet on a baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes, or until it is cooked through. For example, youll need to be careful about how you cook alligator fillets, so that they dont dry out too much and their texture remains moist. Let the steaks rest for about 10 minutes. Preheat a pan or grill over medium-high heat and cook the alligator fillets for 3 to 4 minutes per side. Can I wrap bacon around the tail meat while grilling? fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); I've been cooking it for a very long time with just butter, lemon and garlic, baking it at 350 degrees for maybe half an hour, covered. Stir or whisk to distribute the pepper. These alligator fillets are so easy to make, youll be surprised. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. 7. Alligator is sold in the market as a whole or as a fillet. It's processed and naturally hickory-smoked in wood-burning ovens at Crescent City Meat Company in Metairie. In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt. Remove and drain on the prepared rack or paper towels. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Alligator meat can be a delicious and nutritious food, but it can also have a slightly gamey taste. Im here to talk about food and cooking, and to share some of my favorite recipes with you all! If it is cooked properly, the meat will be tender and juicy. This makes the alligator fillet tender, and the process of marinating makes the alligator fillet savory and flavorsome. The milk helps to break down the food and makes it easier to digest. In a cooking pot add oil and lightly brown the alligator meat. Report abuse. A lot of alligator recipes calls for marinades, but that's not really necessary for tender alligator tail meat. That's the tenderloin. For extra crispy nuggets, dip them back into the buttermilk and then dredge in breadcrumbs again. . Season the steaks to taste and sear them on both sides until golden-brown. You can treat alligator meat just like you would chicken or beef. To grill alligator fillet, first remove any skin or bones. Pat the fish dry. Place the alligator in a medium bowl and season with the cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and hot sauce, and toss to coat evenly. Alligator Stew. Second, the alligator meat should be very moist and tender. Although braising is the preferred method of cooking, our Boneless Short Ribs can be cooking using a variety of methods. The alligator fillet is a very lean cut of meat. Cooking the kabobs for a total of 6 minutes will leave you with meat that is a medium level of doneness, and cooking for 8 minutes will produce medium-well meat. Lower the heat to medium if the alligator steak measures 1/2 inch thick or less, and lower the heat to medium-low and cover the pan with a lid if it measures 1/2 inch thick or more. Im here to help you learn how to cook, and to show you that its not as difficult as you might think! In a small bowl combine olive oil garlic powder paprika salt and black pepper. Cube the alligator meat and add to the butter mixture, stirring to coat the alligator. "It's a fully cooked product, but the best way to cook it is on the grill," he said. 5. . Alligator Tenderloins are a great addition to a traditional gumbo recipe as well! Cooking the belly is a process that has been used for years to tenderize tough cuts of meat. 2 pounds alligator meat, cut into bite-size pieces. Another is to cook all meat thoroughly before eating it, as this will help remove any bacteria that may be present. The alligator is a real American legend, and almost every state has its own alligator restaurant. [2]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWej_c8fz2U. Our alligator meat is processed from alligators that are less than six feet long and between two-three years old. Although most commonly served fried as gator "nuggets", alligator is said to have a veal-like quality and can be easily substituted for any dish containing seafood, chicken, or pork. This can be done with a knife, or by placing the alligator in a large bowl of ice. If you can, you want to find out how big the gator was. Use a slotted spoon to lift the calamari rings out of the buttermilk. The alligator is very lean so you need to make sure to remove the fat from it. This is because they contain the highest level of fatty acids, which are essential for the body. Nuisance alligator removal permits spike in St. Lucie after 85-year-old woman dies. Heat a cast-iron grill pan over medium heat. COPYRIGHT 2023, WOMG. An entire stick of butter fried in a pan with some garlic is all you need to coat the gator tail in flavoring before you add some salt and pepper and onions, and then take it to the grill for the . The answer to this question depends on what youre looking for. Most people will choose to cook the whole alligator. surface of the mixture. 2. Fried Gator. Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2021. If it was longer than five feet, the meat will be tough. Get your smoker to 250 degrees. 2 Remove the alligator from the dry spices. 3. It adapts to many types of seasonings and the flaky, white meat can substitute for veal, seafood, or chicken in many recipes. Season the alligator with salt, pepper, and your favorite spices. Its also reported that soaking alligator meat in milk makes it more digestible, which makes it easier to absorb nutrients. Continue to mix. The meat of the jowl is quite tender on its own, too, he said. Combine the flour and cornstarch in a mixing bowl. (-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. Heat the grill to high heat and grill kabobs for 6 . Gator Burgers! Here are four tips to get rid of the gamey taste from alligator meat: Use a nonstick pan to cook alligator meat over medium heat until browned. Alligator fillets are a type of fish and are typically cooked in a similar manner to other fish dishes. This is commonly done in small restaurants. Ever wondered how alligator steaks are made? I called the guy who always handlesa live alligator at the Louisiana Restaurant show every summer: Harlon Pearce, of Harlon's Louisiana Seafood. Squeeze off excess liquid from meat, and add one handful of meat to the resealable bag. This will make for a better meal. It's safe to leave the meat in the fridge for up to 2 hours for a bolder flavor. Alligator loin: whole young tender alligator loins ready for the grill, blackened or cut, bread and fry to make your own "GATOR BITES" Alligator Fillet: 1 lb. packs (approximately 40 lbs.) However, the tradition has continued, and many people in the southern United States still soak alligators in milk. 7. The tenderloin is the part of alligator that people compare to chicken. Heat a 12-inch cast iron skillet over high heat. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ea\/Cook-Alligator-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Cook-Alligator-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ea\/Cook-Alligator-Step-1.jpg\/aid10203372-v4-728px-Cook-Alligator-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"