Pheasant Meat
Our farmed, free-range pheasant is lean & full-flavored.
Raised in North Carolina, our pheasant are grain fed and raised without antibiotics, hormones, and growth stimulants.
Fun Facts About Pheasant
A long-tailed, ground-living bird that weighs about 2-3 lbs., pheasants belong to the family Phasianidae, cousins to partridges and quail. Pheasant meat is considered a delicacy. In some cultures, serving pheasant at feasts or special occasions signals a display of opulence and hospitality.
Native to Asia, pheasants have been common in the west since the Middle Ages. Perhaps because of their intricately patterned plumage, they have been used in heraldry and coat-of-arms designs to symbolize beauty, agility, and protection.
Pheasants have also figured in legends and myths throughout history.
- In Chinese mythology, the pheasant is believed to be a lower form of the phoenix and was seen as a symbol of good fortune and beauty.
- Greek mythology holds that the pheasant's markings were a result of the goddess Hera's fingers staining its feathers while she nursed the infant Hercules.
- In medieval Europe, pheasant feathers were thought to protect against the evil eye and were often used in amulets or talismans.
- In Buddhism, the act of releasing captive animals, including pheasants, is believed to accumulate positive karma.
- Pheasants are often hunted for sport, and their elusive nature and ability to "disappear" in dense vegetation have led to various folktales and anecdotes about pheasants using magical or supernatural abilities to escape their pursuers.
Cooking Pheasant Meat
Pheasant meat is lean and has a rich, distinct flavor that is slightly gamey. When preparing pheasant, it's important to keep in mind that its leanness can make it prone to drying out if overcooked.
Here are a few ways you can cook pheasant:
- Roasting a whole pheasant is a popular method in the U.S. and many other countries. To prevent the pheasant meat from drying out, you can marinate or brine the bird before cooking. Basting it with butter or other fats during roasting will also help maintain moisture. Roast pheasant is a classic dish in the U.K., often served with traditional accompaniments like bread sauce, game chips, and vegetables.
- Braising involves cooking pheasant slowly in a liquid, such as broth or wine, at a low temperature. This method helps tenderize the meat and keeps it moist. French stews and terrines often feature braised pheasant. In Italian cuisine, braised pheasant meat may flavor in pasta sauces and risottos.
- Pheasant meat can be cut into small pieces and used in stir-fries or other quick-cooking dishes, as is frequently done in Chinese cuisine. The lean meat cooks rapidly and absorbs flavors well.
- Grilling pheasant can work well, but it's important to marinate the meat or use a wet rub to prevent it from becoming too dry on the grill.
Cooking Pheasant Meat
Pheasant meat is lean and has a rich, distinct flavor that is slightly gamey. When preparing pheasant, it's important to keep in mind that its leanness can make it prone to drying out if overcooked.
Here are a few ways you can cook pheasant:
- Roasting a whole pheasant is a popular method in the U.S. and many other countries. To prevent the pheasant meat from drying out, you can marinate or brine the bird before cooking. Basting it with butter or other fats during roasting will also help maintain moisture. Roast pheasant is a classic dish in the U.K., often served with traditional accompaniments like bread sauce, game chips, and vegetables.
- Braising involves cooking pheasant slowly in a liquid, such as broth or wine, at a low temperature. This method helps tenderize the meat and keeps it moist. French stews and terrines often feature braised pheasant. In Italian cuisine, braised pheasant meat may flavor in pasta sauces and risottos.
- Pheasant meat can be cut into small pieces and used in stir-fries or other quick-cooking dishes, as is frequently done in Chinese cuisine. The lean meat cooks rapidly and absorbs flavors well.
- Grilling pheasant can work well, but it's important to marinate the meat or use a wet rub to prevent it from becoming too dry on the grill.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pheasant Meat
Pheasant meat is typically considered a type of "dark" or "red" meat, similar to other game birds like wholesale duck or goose. The distinction between red and white meat is based on the muscle composition, activity level, and oxygen-carrying capacity of the muscles in the animal. Pheasant, a game bird that is more active than domesticated poultry, has muscles that are used regularly for flying and other activities. As a result, its meat is darker and richer in flavor compared to typical white meats like chicken breast. Keep in mind that while pheasant is considered a darker meat, it's still leaner than many other red meats like beef or lamb.
Soaking pheasant (or any meat) in salt water is a process known as brining. Brining involves immersing the meat in a saltwater solution for a period of time before cooking. Brining can enhance flavor, texture, and tenderness, as well as allow seasonings to more evenly penetrate the meat. See How to Brine Meat & Poultry for more information.
A whole pheasant weighs about 2.5 to 3 lbs., which should yield enough pheasant meat for four generous servings.
Pheasant meat and chicken meat are quite similar in terms of macronutrients like protein and fat. Both meats are excellent sources of high-quality protein and provide essential nutrients such as iron, zinc, and vitamin B6. Both pheasant and chicken are lean, particularly when cooked without the skin, which is where a significant amount of fat resides. If you're looking for a lean protein option, both pheasant and chicken can be great choices, with pheasant offering a unique flavor profile that many enjoy.
Where to Buy Pheasant Meat Online
Find pheasant meat for sale at Marx Foods. We specialize in premium meats, poultry, and game. In addition to pheasant bird meat, buy ostrich meat, squab, and guinea fowl at Marx Foods. When you buy pheasant meat at Marx Foods, we will ship it via FedEx Overnight at no extra charge.
Related Reading:
recipe / PheasantStuffed Pheasant Breast
Bacon, hazelnuts, and tart cherries plump these succulent braised pheasant breasts.
recipe / PheasantRoast Pheasant
With herbed butter pushed beneath the skin, and bacon draped over the top, this whole pheasant comes out of the overn tender and juicy.
recipe / PheasantPheasant Breasts Saltimbocca
The sprightly duo of sage and prosciutto used to make a classic veal saltimbocca, also work beautifully with pheasant meat.