For avid wild game hunters, the thrill of the hunt often yields a bounty of delicious meat, including dove. If you’re wondering how to cook this lean and flavorful protein, you’re in luck. Dove meat is characterized by its dark color, delicate texture, and lack of fat, making it an ideal canvas for a variety of dishes. With its mild flavor profile, dove lends itself well to a range of cooking methods and seasonings.
Whether you’re in the mood for classic poppers or something more sophisticated like crostini, we’ve got you covered with a selection of mouth-watering dove recipes that are sure to impress.
Dove Schnitzel
Indulge in the rich flavors of dove schnitzels or cutlets, elevated by a harmonious union of dove meat, mushrooms, and onions. This straightforward recipe yields tender, savory bites smothered in a creamy mushroom gravy, featuring onions, mushrooms, sour cream, and stock as its flavorful foundation. A pinch of salt and pepper, accompanied by a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley, perfectly season the dish.
Serve it alongside rice, potatoes, or homemade bread for a satisfying meal that’s sure to please.
Bacon-Wrapped Dove Jalapeno Poppers
Indulge in a mouth-watering twist on traditional dove breast recipes by creating delectable jalapeño poppers. The key to this dish is the marinating process, which ensures that each bite is infused with an explosion of flavors. To make these addictive bites, slice jalapeños and fill them with cream cheese, then wrap them around dove breasts, securing everything with crispy bacon.
Baking until the bacon is golden brown and the peppers are tender will yield a treat that’s perfect for serving as both appetizers and finger foods at social gatherings.
Cajun Grilled Doves
One of the simplest yet most delectable dove recipes requires only three ingredients, making it an accessible option for anyone looking to try their hand at cooking this game bird. Despite its straightforward ingredient list, the grilled doves are remarkably flavorful, thanks to a combination of oil and a Cajun spice rub that allows the meat to absorb all the rich flavors. The final step involves grilling the meat until it develops a subtle char, imparting a smoky taste that’s hard to resist.
In fact, you may find yourself enjoying multiple servings before realizing how quickly they disappeared!
Pan Fried Dove Appetizer
Indulge in the tender, flavorful pan-fried dove breast meat, ideal as an appetizer or accompaniment. The key to its mouthwatering taste lies in the simple yet effective marination process: a mixture of buttermilk and flour seasoned with paprika, salt, and pepper. Once dredged, the doves are seared in a skillet until they reach a golden brown perfection, signaling it’s ready to be devoured!
To elevate the experience, pair them with your preferred dipping sauce or try combining with the savory Tiger sauce or Bitchin’ sauce for an added layer of flavor.
Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Dove Poppers
Elevate the classic jalapeño dove poppers by incorporating roasted mashed garlic paste, a game-changing twist that’s sure to please even the most discerning palates. The pungency of garlic is perfectly balanced with the smokiness from the grilled bacon, creating an irresistible flavor profile. To take it to the next level, wrap bacon around Hatch chilies, jalapeños, dove breast meat, and roasted mashed garlic paste before grilling them to perfection.
Get ready to indulge in these addictive bites and reach for another one – you won’t be able to stop!
Dove Nuggets
If you’re looking to mix things up from traditional dove poppers, this dove nugget recipe is a must-try! The breast meat of the dove is marinated in milk to facilitate a reaction between the enzymes and the acidity, resulting in tenderized flesh. Following this process, the nuggets are double-dusted with a flour mixture before being fried to a crispy golden brown perfection. Once cooked through and exterior is satisfyingly crispy, it’s time to serve with your preferred dipping sauce.
Smoked Doves With Guajillo Sauce
Indulge in a culinary delight by firing up your smoker for this mouthwatering smoked dove recipe. The process begins with a brine-soaked dove, which is then smoked low-and-slow over several hours to develop a rich, smoky flavor and tender texture. To elevate the dish, a homemade guajillo sauce is applied, imparting an explosive burst of flavor that complements the smokiness perfectly.
As the two flavors meld together, you’ll be treated to an unforgettable taste experience – it’s no wonder this recipe has earned its place as one of our go-to dove recipes!
Grilled Doves With Blueberry BBQ Sauce
Indulge in this mouthwatering grilled dove recipe, elevated by a rich homemade blueberry barbecue sauce. This straightforward dish is perfect for those who crave flavorful meals without the fuss. The key to its success lies in the easy-to-make barbeque sauce, which combines an intriguing blend of ingredients like mustard, cayenne, blueberries, and tomato puree.
Once the dove is coated with the savory glaze, it’s grilled to perfection, resulting in a stunning purplish hue that’s almost too beautiful to eat. Serve it alongside some fresh veggies and wholesome carbs for a well-rounded meal that will leave you wanting more.
Roasted Whole Dove With Butter And Paprika
Indulge in the simplicity of roasted dove cooking by following our straightforward recipe. To begin, start by buttering up whole doves and seasoning them with salt, pepper, and paprika. Then, grill them until cooked through. For a side that complements this dish perfectly, prepare a salad drizzled with a honey vinegar marinade. This wholesome combination provides a great source of protein alongside a dose of fruits and vegetables, making it an excellent addition to your wild game recipes.
Grilled Dove Teriyaki
Elevate your culinary game by infusing Japanese flavors into your next meal with this mouthwatering teriyaki wild dove recipe. The secret to success lies in the homemade teriyaki sauce, which harmoniously complements the grilled doves. To craft this savory condiment, combine soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, and lime, then reduce the mixture until it reaches a rich, velvety texture. Next, coat the dove meat with the tantalizing sauce and grill until perfectly cooked.
For a delightful finishing touch, sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over your masterpiece before serving.
Doves with Prickly Pear BBQ Sauce
Indulge in a culinary adventure with this mouth-watering smoked dove recipe, perfectly paired with a tangy prickly pear barbeque sauce. The harmonious blend of onion, chiltepin chiles, tequila, prickly pear syrup, agave syrup, and lime juice creates a rich and tantalizing flavor profile that elevates the dish to new heights.
To prepare this delectable meal, start by painting plucked whole doves with the savory sauce, then grill them until they’re cooked through and the caramelized glaze has formed on the skin. With each succulent bite, you’ll be transported to a world of bold flavors, where every morsel is infused with an irresistible charm.
Crispy, Crunchy Cream Cheese & Dove Wontons
Take your dove meat game to the next level by abandoning traditional bacon-wrapped poppers and creating delectable wontons instead. These bite-sized morsels are packed with a rich cream cheese filling, expertly seasoned dove breast meat that’s bursting with flavor. The wontons are then pan-fried until they’re crispy and golden brown, perfect for dipping in your favorite sauce.
Consider pairing them with a squeeze of lime and a tangy Tiger sauce or Bitchin’ sauce for an unforgettable snacking experience.
Sweet And Spicy Grilled Dove Breasts
Elevate the taste of your lean dove meat with this mouth-watering sweet and spicy grilled dove breast recipe! This simple yet flavorful dish is perfect for adding some excitement to your cooking routine, ensuring that even the wildest game meals remain refreshing. The magic happens when you brush on a glaze crafted from a harmonious blend of hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil – a symphony of flavors that will leave you craving more.
As you grill the dove breasts to perfection, get ready to indulge in a culinary experience that will have you licking your fingers and yearning for seconds!
Chicken Fried Dove Breast
Savor the indulgent taste of perfectly fried dove breasts, made easy with a simple recipe that yields crispy, golden bites. The key to achieving this mouthwatering treat lies in double-dredging the dove breasts in a mixture of egg and seasoned flour, ensuring an even coating before frying them in oil at a precise temperature of 375°F. This carefully controlled heat ensures that the dove breasts emerge from the fryer crispy and delightful, rather than soggy or undercooked.
For a satisfying meal, serve the fried dove breasts alongside a fresh salad for a delightful combination.
Air Fryer Dove Breast
Indulge in a scrumptious culinary experience with minimal effort using this effortless recipe. The air fryer does all the heavy lifting, allowing you to savor juicy and flavorful dove breasts infused with a perfect blend of paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. With just a hint of olive oil, you’ll be treating your taste buds to a delightful treat in no time. Pair it with your favorite accompaniments for a satisfying and wholesome meal that’s sure to please even the pickiest eaters.
Butter Seared Dove Breast With Garlic & Fresh Herbs
Indulge in the simplicity and sophistication of pan-seared dove breast, where the harmonious marriage of flavors and textures unfolds in mere moments. The crispy, caramelized crust, infused with the pungency of fried garlic and the subtle essence of fresh thyme, yields to tender, lean dove meat enriched by salted butter’s creamy richness.
This effortless recipe, requiring a mere 10 minutes from start to finish, is an absolute must-try for any wild dove hunter seeking a truly exceptional culinary experience.
Pot-Roasted Doves
Ditch the ordinary grilling and frying methods and instead opt for pot-roasting your doves. This unique cooking approach allows you to experience the rich flavors of wild game meat in a whole new way! When cooked in a savory brown gravy infused with golden mushroom soup, the dove meat and accompanying vegetables are elevated to a level of exceptional taste and quality.
For an added touch of freshness, serve these tender doves alongside a medley of greens and fluffy rice for a satisfying meal that’s as easy to prepare as it is to enjoy.
Flaky Cheese And Pepper Dove Rolls
While it may seem unusual to combine Pillsbury crescent rolls with dove meat, the resulting dove rolls are an absolute delight. The harmonious blend of flavors and textures is truly captivating, making this an unexpected yet extraordinary culinary experience. The addition of cheese, chili garlic sauce, and pineapple creates a symphony of tastes – spicy, sweet, and cheesy all at once. As you take a bite, the melted cheese draws you in, leaving you craving more.
Meanwhile, the pineapple slices infuse a tropical sweetness that beautifully complements the dove meat, ultimately culminating in a finger food that’s both impressive and irresistible.
Sliced Dove Breasts On Cornbread Crostini With Green Tomato Marmalade
Indulge your senses with an exquisite appetizer that combines the elegance of dove crostini with the sophistication of a green tomato marmalade. The harmonious balance of sweet and tangy flavors in the marmalade perfectly complements the pan-seared dove breasts, elevating this dish to new heights. To add a touch of rustic charm, these bite-sized treats are served on homemade cornbread triangles, making them an ideal choice for serving as finger food at gatherings and parties.
With each delicious bite, your guests will be treated to a culinary experience that is both refined and approachable.
Dove & Fig Kabobs
Imagine the exotic flavors of the Middle East brought to your plate with Teriyaki Dove Breast Skewers. Marinated in a rich blend of red wine, teriyaki sauce, and barbeque sauce, the dove breast meat is incredibly tender and bursting with flavor. Alternate chunks of juicy fig halves with the savory dove meat on skewers and bake until cooked through. This delightful dish is perfect for a light and satisfying lunch when paired with a fresh salad.
Instructions
To begin, whisk together garlic, ginger, rice vinegar, soy sauce, water, sugar, cornstarch, and honey in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer over low heat until it thickens, then set it aside. Meanwhile, prepare your grill for direct cooking at high heat or preheat your oven to broil mode. Next, brush dove breasts with oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Once your grill is ready, brush it with oil and add the dove breasts.
Cook them for 2 minutes on each side before basting with teriyaki sauce and flipping again. Continue cooking until you reach your desired level of doneness. If using the oven, paint the teriyaki sauce over the meat and cook for 10 minutes, rotating and basting halfway through. Once cooked and slightly charred, serve the dove breasts hot with additional teriyaki sauce for dipping.
Notes
For an even more flavorful dish, consider marinating the dove in teriyaki sauce for a minimum of one hour up to four hours. To add some extra texture and visual appeal, alternate pieces of your favorite vegetables with the dove meat on the skewers.
