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A true taste of the American South, this hearty stew features tender squirrel meat simmered in a savory broth with light, fluffy homemade dumplings. It's old-fashioned comfort food, perfect for a chilly evening.
Prepare and Brown the Squirrel
Sauté Vegetables and Build the Stew Base
Simmer the Stew
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A true taste of the American South, this hearty stew features tender squirrel meat simmered in a savory broth with light, fluffy homemade dumplings. It's old-fashioned comfort food, perfect for a chilly evening.
This southern recipe takes 130 minutes to prepare and yields 4 servings. At 409.17 calories per serving with 42.91g of protein, it's a moderately challenging recipe perfect for dinner or supper.
Make the Dumpling Dough
Cook the Dumplings
Rest and Serve
Can't find squirrel? This recipe works beautifully with rabbit or chicken thighs. Adjust simmering time accordingly until the meat is tender (chicken may take only 45-60 minutes).
Add a tablespoon of fresh chopped sage or rosemary along with the thyme for a more complex, woodsy flavor.
For a richer, creamier gravy, stir in 1/4 cup of heavy cream after the squirrel is tender and just before adding the dumplings.
For a more traditional, flatter dumpling, roll the dough out on a floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness and cut into 1x2-inch strips before dropping them into the stew.
Squirrel meat is very lean and packed with high-quality protein, which is essential for building and repairing tissues, supporting muscle mass, and maintaining a healthy immune system.
Game meats like squirrel are a good source of B vitamins, particularly B12 and Niacin. These vitamins are crucial for energy metabolism, nervous system function, and maintaining healthy skin and red blood cells.
This dish provides important minerals like iron, which is vital for oxygen transport in the blood and preventing anemia, and phosphorus, which is key for bone and tooth health.
Squirrel has a unique flavor that's often compared to a cross between rabbit and dark meat chicken. It's a lean, slightly sweet, and nutty-tasting game meat. The texture is firm but becomes very tender when slow-cooked.
Squirrel meat is not typically sold in grocery stores. It's usually sourced through hunting. If you're not a hunter, you may be able to find it from local hunters, specialty game meat suppliers, or some farmers' markets in rural areas. Always ensure it's from a reputable source.
Absolutely. This recipe is fantastic with rabbit or chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on preferably). Follow the same instructions, but adjust the simmering time; chicken may cook faster (around 45-60 minutes), while rabbit will be similar to squirrel.
This usually happens for two reasons. First, you may have overmixed the dough, which develops the gluten and makes them tough. Mix just until the ingredients come together. Second, and most commonly, the lid was lifted while they were steaming. It's crucial to keep the pot tightly covered for the full 15-20 minutes to trap the steam that makes them light and fluffy.
It's a hearty, traditional comfort food. Squirrel meat itself is a very lean, high-protein, and nutrient-rich source of iron and B vitamins. However, the dish as a whole, with flour-based dumplings and butter, is calorie-dense. It's best enjoyed as a satisfying, occasional meal rather than a daily health food.
A single serving of Squirrel and Dumplings (about 1.5 cups) contains approximately 550-650 calories. This can vary based on the size of the squirrel pieces and the exact amount of butter and flour used.