• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

Bear meat ideas

bigmike23

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2020
Messages
1,617
Location
NE PA
So this will be the first year I pursue bear. To be frank, I've never had any interest in shooting bear. Just don't see what the thrill is, but to cross it off the bucket list I want one.
Ive had a opportunity at 1 every year the last couple of years so I'm optimistic this year. What are some of the favorite recipes for it
 
smoked. I smoked a bear hind quarter for 12-16 hours the other day and offered up a sample to a few friends and family and I barely got any for myself. Make sure it's wrapped tight (I use a slow cooker bag and layer three rounds of foil tightly on that). Last two to three hours, unwrap and start basting to get a crust. Unbeatable.

Also, get a sous vide: It takes any question about trichonosis out of the question.
 
I’m no cook, so no help with that, but I can say you want to get the hide off that bear fast, a bear will spoil super quick compared to a deer, if you plan on killing one anytime during early fall don’t mess around hanging it overnight, take some quick photos and get that sucker hung up and skinned ASAP, I much prefer bear meat to venison if handled properly, in fact I’m debating on trying to kill one this year just for some meat, it’s been a few years for me.
 
Stew meat, apples and sweet potatoes also cubed, chopped onion, with 1/4 cup apple pie shine and 1/4 cup beef stock, cinnamon, thyme, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Set it on low in the crock pot and let it cook. Once its done, pull the big stuff and add some corn starch to the juice for a ridiculous sauce. I feel like I'm forgetting something, but you can add what you like. I always eat it over white rice.
 
I usually keep it simple. Bear backstraps on the grill is hard to beat. I grind up a bunch for burger and tacos and save a couple hams for the crock pot and smoker.
I'm with @Topdog ... I'd much rather eat bear over venison and I love venison.
So far, I've caught 5 different bears on my cameras this year.
 
Same here, bear backstraps straight on the BBQ. Simple and delicious.
Can also cut the backstrap into steaks and wrap each piece with bacon around the outside. Place in a skillet with some EVOO and/or butter and sear each side for a couple minutes then off to the oven to get a cooked inside temp of 165*. (I only go to 155* because I don't like my meat over cooked.)
I've also made bratwursts using the Bearded Butchers recipe (YouTube) which is super simple and absolutely awesome tasting.
 
I cook like pulled pork- put about 6 onions with a clove or 2 inserted add a little water in slow cooker. Cook 8-10 hrs finish last couple of hours smothered in Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce - makes me wish I would have put in for a bear tag!
 
Treat it like pork instead of venison and you'll be fine. One thing to consider, what are bears eating where you're hunting? A bear shot near blueberries and apple trees will taste better than kne shot near a dump, or that's been gorging on fish. The latter two are prime candidates for sasuage.
 
Osso bucco, oh and bear burgers. 1 pound burger, 1 pack hidden valley ranch packet minced onion or onion powder some dales a little minced garlic. You can as some liquid smoke if you like. Oh yea. Love it.
 
Oh yes. I know this is cliche maybe or unwanted opinion. Bears shot still hunting taste way better than dogged bears. So much more enjoyable
 
Oh yes. I know this is cliche maybe or unwanted opinion. Bears shot still hunting taste way better than dogged bears. So much more enjoyable to eat. I’ve killed several to dogs and only had one that was an archery kill. Not mine. It was much better tasting.
 
I much prefer bear to venison. It is a sweeter tasting meat when they're feeding on berries in fall. I agree that you can cook it like pork. I like it smoked on the grill and pulled. Just make sure the internal temperature gets where it needs to be. Trichinosis is not something you want to get.

Sent from my SM-G781U using Tapatalk
 
Stew meat, apples and sweet potatoes also cubed, chopped onion, with 1/4 cup apple pie shine and 1/4 cup beef stock, cinnamon, thyme, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Set it on low in the crock pot and let it cook. Once its done, pull the big stuff and add some corn starch to the juice for a ridiculous sauce. I feel like I'm forgetting something, but you can add what you like. I always eat it over white rice.
That sounds awesome. Might try that on a wild hog roast here shortly.
 
Just rereading this thread now. Got 8 different bears on camera now, with this guy being #1. Bear comes in Saturday I can't wait 95fd957a-4517-48fe-a815-42cf6b476796.jpg1eb5d271-3923-47e5-8daa-fa4b2e84d7e9.jpg
 
So this will be the first year I pursue bear. To be frank, I've never had any interest in shooting bear. Just don't see what the thrill is, but to cross it off the bucket list I want one.
Ive had a opportunity at 1 every year the last couple of years so I'm optimistic this year. What are some of the favorite recipes for it

Once you enjoy some well prepared bear meat you will want to fill the freezer with one every year.
 
Back
Top