Braised Wild Boar Shank Recipe (2024)

Chances are you haven’t had wild boar before. Maybe boar sausage, but not braised wild boar shanks. It isn’t a protein the grocery store usually carries, unless you are in Texas, perhaps.

Don’t worry… I’ll tell you how to get your hands on some boar and transform it into a memorable meal.

Braised Wild Boar Shank Recipe (1)

What's In This Article

Braised Wild Boar Shanks are a sophisticated and exotic meal, ideal for special occasions and dinner parties. Lean and healthy with loads of rich flavor.

Most boar is feral, running around wild, and is therefore very meaty with little to no fat. Wild boars are angry suckers and need to be kept under control for farmers.

Make sure you PIN Braised Wild Boar!

They happen to taste great if prepared correctly and since they are all wild, you don’t have to worry about all the crud that comes along with farmed meat, like antibiodics and special diets.

They are naturally lean and don’t have an especially gamey taste.

Braised Wild Boar Shank Recipe (2)

Although this is the middle of the summer, my husband came through the door exclaiming“The house smells like Thanksgiving!” Braised Wild Boar Shanks are wonderfully aromatic; smelling like freshly baked molasses cookies.

My husband and I eat bison and venison frequently- leaner meats with lots of flavor, so when I came across wild boar in a restaurant I wanted to try working with it.

I researched and found that most recipes call for fall spices- much like Thanksgiving. Your most challenging task will be to find wild boar.

I could not locate any in Baltimore, not even by special order from a private butcher. I ended up ordering them through Dartagnan, who offers multiple specialty meats and delivers them frozen.

They even allow you choose your delivery date! You can substitute pork shanks, but they won’t have the same rich flavor. Learn more about eating and cooking wild boar here!

Braised Wild Boar Shank Recipe (3)

Wild Boar is also healthy- only 136 calories and 4 grams of fat per four ounce serving. Wild boar run around a lot so they do not have the luxury of building up fat deposits.

They also roll around in the dirt, acting like a Kobe massage to tenderize their meat. I know what you’re thinking: this is a lot of work! Well, save Braised Boar Shanks for a special event or holiday and I’m sure you won’t regret it!

Braised Wild Boar Shank Recipe (4)

Dutch Oven– every kitchen should have one! They are heavy. They are expensive. They are worth it!

Fat Separator– This is the best tool for making rich sauces. It will help you separate out the grease, fat and gunk resulting in a flavorful sauce.

Easy side dish recipes to serve with your Braised Wild Boar:

  • Baked Rice Pilaf
  • Cheesy Baked Endive
  • Red Wine Vinegar Broccolini
  • French Baked Scallops
  • Orzo Salad with Goat Cheese and Asparagus

Cheese Puff Bread Recipe- Copy Cat Fogo de Chao Bread

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Chickpea Salad Recipe

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This Chickpea Salad is full of flavor from mushrooms, lemon and truffle oil. The perfect side dish for any meal and ready in only 20 minutes!

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Italian Seafood Salad

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Made with shrimp, calamari and lump blue crab meat, this Italian Seafood Salad is one of the easiest but most delicious seafood salad recipes you’ll ever make. Perfect as an appetizer or light meal!

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Braised Wild Boar Shank Recipe (8)

Braised Wild Boar Shanks Recipe

4.80 from 20 votes

Braised Wild Boar Shanks are a sophisticated and exotic meal, ideal for special occasions and dinner parties. Lean and healthy with loads of rich flavor.

Prep Time: 1 hour hr

Cook Time: 3 hours hrs

Total Time: 4 hours hrs

Servings: 2

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Ingredients

  • 2 wild boar shanks
  • fine sea salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 1-2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup red wine
  • 7 fresh garlic cloves peeled and smashed with the side of a knife
  • 4 star anise pods
  • 1 teaspoon whole cloves
  • 2 whole cinnamon sticks
  • 1/8 teaspoon allspice
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup low sodium soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons molasses
  • 3/4 cup light brown sugar
  • water
  • 2 tablespoon tablespoons cornstarch whisked with 1water
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • Baked Rice Pilaf

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

  • Rinse your boar shanks well and pat dry. Any excess moisture will prevent browning.

  • Generously season with fine sea salt and freshly ground pepper.

  • Heat olive oil over high heat in a large enamel pot or Dutch oven. Working with 1 shank at a time, lightly brown each side of the shanks (about 6-8 minutes total). Because they are so oddly shaped, this might take some creative maneuvering with the tongs to get all angles. Remove, set aside and repeat with remaining shanks.

  • Reduce heat to low and deglaze pan with red wine, scraping up all of the browned bits. Add garlic through brown sugar, stirring to combine. Mixture will be fragrant. Add boar shanks and add just enough water to cover the meat (about 4-5 cups).

  • Bring mixture to a low boil. Cover and place in the oven. Reduce heat to 300 degrees.

  • Braise for 2-3 hours or until meat registers at 180 degrees. Sizes vary greatly, so aim for temperture versus time.

  • Remove pot from oven and fish out the boar shanks and set aside. Run liquid through a fine mesh sieve, then transfer to a fat separator. Transfer liquid to a medium sauce pan.

  • Bring to a boil and then whisk in 2 tablespoons cornstarch dissolved in 1 tablespoon water and 1 tablespoon butter. Whisk until the mixture thickens.

  • Serve with rice and a ladle of sauce.

  • If you’ve tried this recipe, make sure to come back and let us know!

Notes

Purchase one foreshank per person.

Nutrition

Calories: 793 kcal, Carbohydrates: 120 g, Protein: 32 g, Fat: 17 g, Saturated Fat: 5 g, Cholesterol: 15 mg, Sodium: 4339 mg, Potassium: 925 mg, Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 105 g, Vitamin A: 175 IU, Vitamin C: 3.7 mg, Calcium: 197 mg, Iron: 5.8 mg

Author: Jessica Formicola

Calories: 793

Course: Main Course, Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: wild boar recipes

Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!

Braised Wild Boar Shank Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to cook wild boar? ›

Preheat oven to 275° F. Place seasoned wild boar leg on a foil lined rimmed baking sheet. Cook until the internal temperature of the leg is 150° F at its thickest part, about 4 hours. It is impossible to cook a cut of this size by time guidelines so using a temperature probe or thermometer is a must.

What's the best way to cook pork shank? ›

Because pork shanks come from the front leg of the pig, they can be tough and chewy if not cooked properly. Slow braising allows the fat in between the meat on the shank to render as it braises and slowly cooks and will make this cut of pork one of the most flavorful and tender pieces of pork you've ever had.

What does wild boar shank taste like? ›

Wild-caught wild boar has a distinct game flavor that farm-raised Wild Boar simply cannot match. Although similar to domestic pork and farm-raised Wild Boar, wild Wild Boar has a deeper color, leaner texture, tighter grain, and bolder taste. Size: 6 vacuum sealed packs, 4 shanks per pack (approximately 15 lbs.)

How do you make boar taste good? ›

Keep it low and cook it slow. Do avoid overcooking, as the lean meat will dry out quickly. If your wild boar meat is frozen, do not defrost in a microwave, since this tends to dry and toughen meat. Marinating wild boar meat overnight can do wonders, as the marinade will tenderize as it imparts flavor.

What is the best part of a wild boar to eat? ›

LOINS & TENDERLOINS

These wild boar cuts are easy to work with and are tender enough that they don't need much work in the kitchen other than a short brine or marinade. They can be simply prepared by roasting them whole, cut into mignons, pounded into cutlets or cured and smoked for Canadian bacon.

Does wild boar need to be fully cooked? ›

This means that the meat should be carefully watched during cooking as it cooks faster than pork. It is as delicious as it is nutritious – low in fat and cholesterol with a nutty, sweet and rich flavour. Unlike the wapiti and bison that we sell, wild boar meat needs to be fully cooked before eating.

Which cooking method is best for shank? ›

1. Braising: Braising is a time-tested method that transforms tough cuts like beef shank into succulent and flavorful masterpieces.

How do you know when pork shanks are cooked? ›

The safe internal pork cooking temperature for fresh cuts is 145° F. To check doneness properly, use a digital cooking thermometer. Fresh cut muscle meats such as pork chops, pork roasts, pork loin, and tenderloin should measure 145° F, ensuring the maximum amount of flavor.

What is the best cut of pork to braise? ›

Shoulder: Cuts from the upper portion of the shoulder (called the blade shoulder) are well marbled with fat and contain a lot of connective tissue, making them ideal candidates for slow-cooking methods like braising, stewing, or barbecuing.

What does braised wild boar taste like? ›

Los Angeles food writer and personal chef Gene Gerrard shares his years of cooking experience and expertise by leading cooking demos at culinary expos. Wild boar is similar in taste to organically raised pork, but it has a richer, more meaty flavor.

Is wild boar healthier than beef? ›

Unlike its domestic cousin, wild boar is also very lean and low in cholesterol. Wild boar is an excellent alternative to beef and pork for those who want food that is good for them without sacrificing taste and quality. Wild Boar high in protein. They are a good source of monounsaturated fats and zinc.

Is wild boar tastier than pork? ›

The meat from wild boar tastes better.

Wild boar have more variety in what they eat, which is one of the things that makes their meat more flavorful. They're also allowed to move around a lot more throughout the course of their lives, which also helps to improve the flavor of their meat.

What flavors go well with wild boar? ›

Wild boar is fantastic teamed with earthy flavours such as mushrooms, pumpkin or beetroot as well as cabbage or slaws, peppery stews or fruity sauces.

How do you get the gamey taste out of wild boar? ›

The distinct game flavor of either birds or animals will be milder after soaking the meat overnight in the refrigerator in either a salt or vinegar solution.

How do you make wild boar tender? ›

The best way to prepare wild boar meat is by marinating it overnight to tenderize the meat and enhance its flavors. You can use a combination of acidic ingredients like vinegar or citrus juice, along with herbs, spices, and a bit of oil. After marinating, you can grill, roast, or braise the meat to perfection.

Do you need to soak wild boar? ›

Ice Slurry

And about a cup of apple cider vinegar. I'm going to let my meat soak in that 24, 48 hours. A little longer won't hurt either, but that's going to help kill bacteria. It's going to help draw out any wild taste that you may have in that hog.

Does wild boar taste different than pig? ›

The meat from wild boar tastes better.

Wild boar have more variety in what they eat, which is one of the things that makes their meat more flavorful. They're also allowed to move around a lot more throughout the course of their lives, which also helps to improve the flavor of their meat.

Does wild boar taste like bacon? ›

With its lower fat content and distinctively darker coloring than pork, wild boar bacon offers a delightful sweet and nutty taste that will captivate your palate. Due to its naturally leaner nature, we recommend cooking wild boar bacon at lower temperatures to preserve its succulence and tenderness.

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