Delicious and Easy Quail Recipes for Any Occasion

Most of us are aware that quail meat can be somewhat dry and hard! This applies to every bird meat as it is full of fibers and more connective tissues! Many of us like to eat quail meat and if you are one of them then you will surely find this article very useful! So like we were saying, what can you do if the quail meat is too tough and chewy to consume? Well, there is certainly a way to prepare the best and most tender quail recipe! Let us find out how!

What is the secret behind cooking tender quail-

Well, to tell you the truth, the answer lies behind the cooking time! However many mistake it as frying time! If you fry quail meat for too long then the meat can become dry and too tough! Instead, you need to boil the meat first and allow it to grow tender. Then you need to give them the time to dry off and later fry the meat in oil.

However, quail is not that easy to find these days! The styles of cooking quail and pigeons are kinda of similar and if you would as your parents or grandparents they perhaps know the traditional method of cooking them and guess what they are most often very effective.

Let us save you some time by saying that if you are having quail for the first time then let us assure you that quail is not a meaty bird and whatever flesh is there sticking to the bones, they are all tough and very chewy. There is little to no fat on the surface of the skin and hence even when you are cooking with skin on, that hardly makes a difference to the texture! The best way to cook quail meat is therefore tenderize the meat by steaming it.

Season the quails and then add them to a steamer where you leave for two to two and a half hours. You can pierce the breasts to check whether they are softened or not from time to time.

When you have realized that the meat is tender you can bring them out of the steamer and allow it to air dry the skin! Water on the surface can spatter when you fry them in oil.

Useful tip-

If you are not interested in eating the bones then you can simply discard them after boiling as at this stage they are easy to remove when the meat softens and separates. Many like to chew on the bones so prepare the dish accordingly.

If you are eating quail for the first time then let us tell you quail recipes do not have tender flesh like chicken or the fat to soften them! When you consume the meat you will observe that it has a gamey odor as well. 

What are some of the initial preparatory stages for cooking quail recipes-

• The oven must be preheated at 350°F - you need to prepare the oven and preheat it at the given temperature! A cooking flat pan needs to be brushed with oil and covered with parchment paper to cover the tray or the pan.
• The legs need to be tied- you need to pull the legs behind and then tie them with thin twine. This enables the meat body to stabilize on the cooking pan without any sort of tilt or rotation.
• Next comes seasoning the quails- melted butter, olive oil, pepper, and salt can be used for marinating the meat. You can stuff the interior of the bird with fillings like fruits or veggies! The brownish grilled texture is acquired best with the application of melted butter.
• Roasting for about twenty minutes- fifteen to twenty minutes of roasting is ideal when you have already marinated the meat. If there is stuffing inside then you need to give it a little longer for roasting. Once the meat appears firm, it is ready and roasting is done!
• Time to enjoy- when taken out of the oven, allow it to rest for ten minutes and then wrap it in foil and serve hot with dippings and sauce.

Fabulous quail recipes to try out

1. Asian-style roasted quails

Cooked with herbs and spices to provide an enriching taste, the Asian-style roasted quails are simply mouth-watering. This recipe is ideal if you have never tried it before!

2. Fig preserve glazed quail

Served with bacon marmalade and flavored in both sweet and spicy sauces, the Fig preserve glazed quails cooked with honey and herbed cauliflower couscous. We have used Louisiana dog glaze and nutmeg with a dash of red pepper and butternut squash too.

3. Simple quail roast

Made with just a couple of ingredients, the yummy quail meat with a smoky essence is one of the best choices if you are a beginner. Served with bread or pasta, you can enjoy the succulent roast on a cold winter night with a glass of wine.

4. Oven Roasted Quail Recipe

Here is another recipe that we are sure you will be tempted to try out! The strong garlicky essence with the sweet and tangy orange zest gives a distinguished flavor to the meat! Served with tarragon, you are about to try something truly awesome.

5. Cajun roasted quail recipe

You must give a try the wonderful cajun roasted quail recipe which is cooked with tender and succulent meat tossed in Andouille sausage cream sauce! Ready in just twenty minutes we have used cajun seasoning, heavy cream, and white wine to cook this dish.

6. Sausage stuffed quails

If you find quail meat too dry and rough then the stuffed quail recipe is ideal to experience its real taste! We stuffed this dish with sausage and breadcrumbs and the idea turned out to be simply awesome.

7. Grilled quail

Served with roasted potatoes and cherry tomatoes, the grilled quail is a wonderful option that consists of flavourful meat tossed in oregano and olive oil giving the recipe the essence of spices.

8. Grilled quail breasts with pecan and figs

We have brought you the quail skewers which are made from cubes of quail breast meat and served with pecan and figs! We have some greens on the side with creamy dips to escalate the taste of the dish further.

9. Southern fried quail with bourbon bacon gravy

We have another exotic recipe with Southern flavors that you ought to fall in love with! There is bourbon bacon gravy which will render the dish with an exciting as well as exclusive flavor that you can cook when the guests are coming over.

10. Sweet and sticky quail roast

We have the mouth-watering recipe of quail roast cooked in ginger, lettuce, and pomegranate molasses. Topped with coriander seeds and saffron threads, the dish is ready to be savored. So shall we try it out then?

11. Air fryer quail recipe

All you need is just thirty minutes to cook this recipe for a quick dinner dish! There are loads of spices that escalate the flavor of the dish even further. The good balancing of spices enhances the taste of the dish which you will savor in every bite.

12. Braised quail recipe

Slow-cooked until tender, the braised quail recipe is prepared with herbs, celery, and olives! The presence of lemon, garlic, and onions is essential to confer it with a wonderful taste. If you prefer quail meat then this recipe is a must-have.

13. Easy grilled quail

Cooked with paprika, you will surely find a hint of spices in this dish of grilled quail! The meat is succulent and juicy with garlic powder and parsley cooked in olive oil. This is a completely paleo-friendly dish.

14. Mushroom stuffed quails

For those of us who love mushrooms and meat then the stuffed quails are the ideal option for you to relish! The tender mushroom slices make the meat even juicier and ravenous to explore this summer season.

15. Stuffed quail

If you are craving a roast but something small and light then this recipe of stuffed quail is the ideal option for you! Cooked with celery, carrots, garlic, and yellow onions, this tastes simply divine. Pour a little chicken stalk, and sprinkle parsley and butter for flavoring.

16. Braised quails with mushrooms

What a brilliant idea it is to make the braised quails stuffed with mushrooms sprinkled with herbs for a party you are hosting! Cooked with heavy cream and parsley, the dish is simply out of this world.

17. Roasted quail with yogurt and celery

This is rather a fancy dish that you should cook when you find quail recipes tempting! Flavored with celery, a dash of lemon, and Greek-style yogurt, you will surely be inclined to reach out for more and more from the bowl.

18. Honey and lemon grilled quail

This is such an easy recipe which you will thank us later for! Succulent quail may be roasted with honey and lemon giving a sweet and sour essence to the taste buds. Do not forget to sprinkle parsley.

19. Honey-soy glazed oven-baked quails

How lovely is this recipe of quail cooked with the sweetness of honey and the sharp presence of soy sauce? Succulent and tender, you will be tempted to cook this recipe again and again. Served with greens, you should give it a try!

20. Hoisin quail

If you are fond of spices then there is nothing better than the Hoisin quails which are prepared with Hoisin and soy sauce, orange juice, and garlic. We used sesame oil for cooking and served it with mashed potatoes with herbs.

21. Quails with caramelized onions and brandy

The simple quail meat marinated in lemon and brandy is roasted and served with caramelized onions and such a wonderful recipe to give a try this season! Rich and yummy, you can enjoy the succulent meat with bread or soup.

22. The Hirshon Vietnamese recipe

The authentic Vietnamese recipe cooked with mixed herbs and spices gives a distinguished flavor to quail meat! If you wish to experiment with quail then the Hirshon quails are the best for you to indulge in. So shall we try it then?

23. Stuffed quail gumbo

This is rather an elaborate dish that is prepared with celery, egg, chives, bay leaf, and green pepper. We also have oregano, scallion, and thyme which renders this dish with its distinguished flavor. Chicken stalk and Worcestershire sauce do their wonders.

24. Smoky quails

The rich and smoky quails cooked in spices and sauces give a distinguished flavor of succulent meat! You can enjoy it with lentils on the side and a couple of pieces of bread. Roasted to perfection, this recipe is simply so amazing in a word!

25. Oven-roasted quail with balsamic glaze

Here is a gluten-free recipe with rosemary, lemon, and lavender balsamic vinegar which makes this recipe taste simply divine! Thank us later for this idea with orange juice and heavy cream melting in your mouth and leaving an everlasting impact. There is a pecan too!

26. Sous vide quail

All you need are seven ingredients to cook this recipe within an hour! If you are craving something nice out of quail and starting making dinner late then you should surely give a try to the sous vide quail!

27. Authentic Vietnamese fried quail

Perhaps the easiest way you could make quail is in authentic Vietnamese fashion where all you need to do is fry them. There are little shallots, garlic, oyster sauce, some fish sauce, and also palm sugar which we need for preparing this dish.

28. Quail with rice

Here is a wholesome recipe that we are sure you will find awesome for a meal! Prepare the quail and rice recipe with green onions, parsley, carrots, and bacon strips. Finally, add the long-grained rice and chicken broth.

29. Baked quail and veggies

Onion, parsley, carrots, potatoes! You name it and we have all of them in this recipe of baked quails with veggies. Garlic pasta and orange juice are added for seasoning the dish! So what are you waiting for?

30. Marinated grilled quails

Juicy and succulent, the recipe for marinated grilled quails is absolutely amazing! We have made use of loads of veggies and broth so that the meat does not feel dry and chewy. Make sure you try out the authentic and traditional grilled quails someday!

What are the three common ways of cooking quails -

1. Method one- Roast it

The oven is preheated at 350°F and then the quail is brushed with oil and a sheet pan is placed into the oven! The meat is allowed to be roasted for twenty minutes or a little more for proper cooking.

2. Method two- Grill it

A charcoal grill is preheated and then the skewers are inserted into the meat so that they lie flat on the coal and are cooked evenly. Marinate it with spices and wait for the brown texture to show up.

3. Method three- to saute

A skillet is placed on the stove and then preheated! Butter is melted and the seasoned quail meat is added to the sizzling hot pan! Keep turning from side to side so that the entire surface is cooked evenly and turns brown. Bring it out of the pan and allow it to cool down a little before serving it!

Bottom Line- so that is all about cooking quail meat! Even though it is not as soft as chicken, many of us prefer to consume quail and there is certainly a technique to make them tender.