Best 4 Best Alligator Recipes

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Venture into the realm of unique and delectable dishes with alligator meat, a Southern delicacy renowned for its mild flavor and tender texture. This comprehensive guide presents a diverse collection of alligator recipes, each carefully curated to tantalize your taste buds and elevate your culinary skills. Embark on a journey of flavors, from the classic deep-fried alligator bites to the more adventurous alligator gumbo and etouffee. Discover the secrets of preparing alligator meat, ensuring it is cooked to perfection and bursting with flavor.

**Recipes featured in this article:**

1. **Deep-Fried Alligator Bites:** Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, these bite-sized morsels are the perfect appetizer or party snack. Seasoned with a blend of spices and herbs, they are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

2. **Alligator Gumbo:** A classic Cajun dish, this hearty and flavorful gumbo is a symphony of flavors. Alligator meat, okra, tomatoes, and a rich, aromatic broth come together to create a dish that is both comforting and satisfying.

3. **Alligator Etouffee:** Similar to gumbo, etouffee is another Louisiana classic that showcases the versatility of alligator meat. Cooked in a rich sauce made with butter, flour, and tomatoes, this dish is sure to leave you craving more.

4. **Alligator Po' Boy:** This iconic New Orleans sandwich features tender alligator meat, dressed with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and a flavorful remoulade sauce. Served on a soft, fluffy bun, it is a taste of the Big Easy that you won't soon forget.

5. **Grilled Alligator Kabobs:** Perfect for summer cookouts, these kabobs are a delicious and healthy way to enjoy alligator meat. Marinated in a blend of herbs and spices, then grilled to perfection, they are a delightful addition to any barbecue spread.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

ACE CHAMPION



Ace Champion image

A tasty recipe for Fried Alligator, cajun-style! Try this recipe featuring alligator that has been marinated in cajun seasonings, battered in buttermilk and seasoned flour and then fried until golden. So delicious! Want to see how it's done? We have the video right here!

Provided by By Ace Champion | June 16, 2017 12:52 pm (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(

Time 30m

Yield 3

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 lb. boneless alligator, fresh or frozen
2 tablespoon cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup buttermilk
1 large egg
1 tablespoon spicy mustard
5 dashes Louisiana hot sauce
3 cups lard, or vegetable shortening
2 cups flour

Steps:

  • 1 Pat the alligator meat dry. Place the alligator in a medium bowl and season with the cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and hot sauce, and toss to coat evenly. Cover and allow marinating for at least 10 minutes at room temperature. 2 Remove the alligator from the dry spices. 3 Heat vegetable shortening in a large cast-iron skillet until it registers 350°F (176°C) or use a recommended electric deep fryer. 4 In a separate bowl whisk together the buttermilk, mustard, and eggs. Whisk well. In another bowl add the flour and season with some cajun seasoning as well. 5 Dip the alligator in the flour and shake off. Then add into the buttermilk mixture and shake off. Then back into the flour and shake off. Repeat the process until all is done. 6 When the oil is ready, add the alligator pieces to the skillet in batches, shaking off any excess flour before adding them to the oil and being careful not to overcrowd the skillet. Start with the larger pieces. 7 Cook the alligator, using tongs to turn occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes. Keep an eye on the temperature of the oil, making sure the oil does not get too hot. Transfer the alligator to a plate lined with paper towels. Repeat the process until all the Alligator is cooked.

FRIED ALLIGATOR NUGGETS



Fried Alligator Nuggets image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     appetizer

Time 8m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 5

1/2 pound alligator meat, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
Fish batter, for coating (see *Cook's Note)
Cooking oil, for frying
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Serving suggestions: various dipping sauces such as remoulade, mustard, or cocktail

Steps:

  • Fill a deep pot halfway full with oil. Heat to 360 degrees F. Coat the alligator meat with the fish batter. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes, until gator floats in oil. Remove and add salt and pepper to taste. Serve as an appetizer with remoulade sauce, mustard sauce, or cocktail sauce for dipping.

BRICE PALMER'S FRIED ALLIGATOR BITES



Brice Palmer's Fried Alligator Bites image

I love fried gator tail, and the local restaurant in my area, The Black Hammock, has some of the best I've eaten. Unfortunately, I don't have their recipe. We can actually purchase gator meat, fresh or frozen, at some fresh seafood houses so this is something I would love to try cooking myself. This recipe was taken from the Texas Cooperative Extension Alligator Cookbook and is posted there as a recipe from "Tony Chachere's Cajun Country Cookbook". It sounds very good, and all recipes I've ever seen are very similar with the only noted differences being in the batter and seasoning ingredients. I hope you enjoy this one! NOTE: Servings and yield are estimated. Prep time DOES NOT include refrigeration time. Posted for ZWT5.

Provided by kitty.rock

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 30m

Yield 24-36 bites, 8-12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 lbs boneless alligator tail meat, cut into 1 cubes
3 cups milk or 3 cups evaporated milk
1 cup mustard
2 tablespoons of tony's creole seasoning
2 cups fish, fry mix (Golden Dipt or other brand)
2 cups pancake mix
cooking oil (for frying)

Steps:

  • Cut the alligator into 1" cubes and soak in milk (in the refrigerator) for 2 to 3 hours.
  • Drain milk then season meat (in the same bowl) with Tony's Creole Seasoning.
  • Add the mustard to the bowl and mix well, coating meat with mustard.
  • Mix Fish Fry and pancake mix together in shaking bag. Drop meat cubes in shaking bag and coat well.
  • Deep fry at 375 F for 5 to 6 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Serve hot with French fries and seafood sauce or other dipping sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 201.4, Fat 5.9, SaturatedFat 2.5, Cholesterol 19.6, Sodium 789.7, Carbohydrate 29.9, Fiber 1.9, Sugar 0.9, Protein 7.5

ALLIGATOR FINGERS



Alligator Fingers image

Quick and easy way to fix up gator bites for your friends - exotic, but taste like chicken! You can get frozen alligator meat online.

Provided by JerryFLA

Categories     Appetizers and Snacks     Meat and Poultry

Time 1h

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 pounds alligator meat, cut into bite-size pieces
2 tablespoons vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
oil for frying
¼ cup all-purpose flour
1 cup cornmeal
2 tablespoons garlic powder
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons black pepper
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
1 tablespoon brown mustard
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

Steps:

  • Place alligator meat in a medium bowl, and mix with vinegar, salt, and pepper. Cover, and refrigerate about 10 minutes.
  • Pour oil into a large skillet to a depth of 1 inch, and heat over a medium-high flame.
  • Add to a large resealable bag the flour, cornmeal, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Squeeze off excess liquid from meat, and add one handful of meat to the resealable bag. Shake to coat. Remove meat, shake off excess flour, and set on a plate. Repeat with remaining meat.
  • When oil is hot, place meat pieces into oil, being careful not to overcrowd. Fry until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Remove to paper towels, and serve hot.
  • To prepare dipping sauce, mix together in a small bowl the mayonnaise, horseradish, brown mustard, and red wine vinegar.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 487.1 calories, Carbohydrate 19.1 g, Cholesterol 2 mg, Fat 20.4 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 54 g, SaturatedFat 2.1 g, Sodium 59.7 mg, Sugar 1 g

Tips for Cooking Alligator:

  • Choose the Right Cut: For beginners, start with the tail meat, as it's the most tender and flavorful part of the alligator. Avoid the neck and feet, as they are tougher and less desirable.
  • Clean the Alligator Properly: To ensure the best taste and texture, remove any visible fat or connective tissue from the meat. Rinse the meat thoroughly under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
  • Use a Marinade: Marinating the alligator meat helps tenderize it and infuse it with flavor. Use a mixture of acidic ingredients like lemon juice or vinegar, along with herbs, spices, and seasonings of your choice. Marinate the meat for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.
  • Cook Alligator Properly: Alligator meat can be cooked using various methods, including grilling, frying, baking, and stewing. For grilling or frying, cook the meat over medium heat until golden brown and cooked through. For baking, wrap the meat in foil and bake at 350°F for about an hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. For stewing, simmer the meat in a flavorful broth until tender.

Conclusion:

Alligator meat is a unique and delicious delicacy that can be prepared in various ways. By following these tips and choosing the right recipes from this article, you can create mouthwatering alligator dishes that will impress your friends and family. Remember to handle and cook alligator meat properly to ensure its safety and enjoy its distinct flavor to the fullest. Experiment with different cooking methods and seasonings to discover your favorite alligator recipes and make this exotic meat a regular part of your culinary adventures.

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