Can you eat coyote meat?
In this brief guide, we will provide an answer to the question, “Can you eat coyote meat?” with an in-depth analysis of coyote, the taste of coyote meat, the nutritional composition of coyote meat and the dangers and health benefits of eating coyote meat.
Can you eat coyote meat?
Yes, you can eat coyote meat. In fact, there is an entire cultural group of people that consume coyote meat. They also declare that coyote meat can be very tasty if cooked appropriately. Coyote meat.is safe to consume as long as it is cooked adequately and properly.
What are coyotes?
Coyotes, scientifically known as Canis latrans, belong to the Canidae family and have many traits similar to their relatives including dogs, wolves, jackals and foxes.
Coyotes usually have greyish-brown hair and a white coat beneath the belly and neck.
Coyotes are remarkably ingenious and clever with the inherent ability to accommodate any environment. This is apparently one of the principal reasons why they are so common in all regions of the world. They have the capability to comprehend any situation and make the most of it.
They are not picky eaters and prey on just everything. From trash to animal remains, you can rest assured that if a coyote is starving enough, it will eat anything. They are also not too particular when it comes to habitat either.
What does coyote meat taste like?
Coyote meat, like many different types of meat, varies in taste depending on the way it is cooked and where it has come from. Coyotes that come from the north have a different taste than those that come from the south.
This is due to the fact that they are exposed to diverse environments and consume different varieties. On average, coyote meat tends to be soft and chewy while it feels tender to touch.
That is because the colder climates have a tenderizing and softening impact on the meat. On the whole, coyote meat tastes similar to that of a cat or dog.
Nutritional composition of coyote meat
Surprisingly, coyote meat provides various health benefits. It has less fat and cholesterol content.
It is also low in sodium and provides a good source of protein, vitamin B12 and riboflavin. In addition, it also provides some amounts of zinc and iron.
Hence, coyote meat is beneficial for anyone with hypertension, cardiovascular disease, gout, or diabetes.
Dangers associated with consuming coyote meat
Just like many predators, coyotes probably also carry trichinosis. Trichinosis is a disease that occurs by eating raw or undercooked meat from animals infected with the Trichinella parasite. It actually resides in animals that feed upon meat, like coyotes, pigs, bears, and mountain lions.
Such meat needs to be cooked at an internal temperature of at least 160℉ to kill the parasite. Make sure to cook your food thoroughly, also properly clean up your cooking area and utensils after handling coyote meat to minimize the risk of the parasite.
However, there are no reported or identified cases of anyone contracting Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) from consuming coyote meat.
How to cook coyote meat?
Preparation: Fat trimming
Coyote fat has a unique chemical-like flavour and smell. For preparing coyote meat, you have to remove all the fat and almost all of the silver skin so your meat does not have that bad taste.
Start with the neck
Although the shoulders and hams are also good to eat, the straps are easy to remove, so start by removing them. After you remove the straps and cut the fat away, you will notice that they no longer have that bad smell. They will smell like high-quality meat, with a similar taste. Cut the pieces sideways into steaks of about 1.5″ to 2″ wide.
Marinate
Marinate the meat for at least several hours, or you can also leave it overnight or for a couple of days. Make sure to keep it refrigerated. Use your personal meat marinade, or try this in a sealed bag:
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 4 cloves of garlic, sliced
- 1 tablespoon salt or to taste
- Black pepper
- Thyme or sage
Use enough oil and vinegar to cover the meat in the bag. Take it out from the refrigerator 30-60 minutes before cooking so it can come to room temperature.
Cook Well Done
Let your pan get hot over a medium flame and add some oil. Do not brown the exterior, unlike other steaks and consume the meat medium-rare. Rather, cook them gently and slowly and let the interior cook completely. You can also use a meat thermometer to maintain the internal temperature of 160 degrees.
Slice and Serve
Now just cut the meat sideways into strips and serve. It will have a rich, meaty taste and a pleasant texture and goes well with spicy sauces.
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we have provided an answer to the question, “Can you eat coyote meat?” with an in-depth analysis of coyote, the taste of coyote meat, the nutritional composition of coyote meat and the dangers and health benefits of eating coyote meat.
