When it comes to a great beaver recipe, you can't go wrong with this Cheesy Beaver Meat Sandwich made with American Beaver meat!
The Cheesy Beaver Meat Sandwich: A Unique and Delicious Treat
If you’ve ever wondered, “Can you eat beaver?” the answer is a resounding yes! This sandwich is a flavorful and satisfying way to showcase the rich taste of North American beaver. Perfect for adventurous eaters and those looking to expand their wild game recipe repertoire, this sandwich combines tender, shredded beaver meat with a queso cheese kick.
What Does Beaver Taste Like?
Beaver meat that was braising in a Dutch oven with beef broth and onions for 4 hours like I do here tastes similar to beef. That really shouldn't be a surprise based on its diet.
What Do Beavers Eat?
An American beaver is what we call a semi-aquatic herbivore. That means they eat plants that grow on both land and water. A beaver's diet consists of leaves, bark, roots, and aquatic vegetation.
Are Beavers Rodents?
Yes. The American beaver is the largest rodent in the United States, growing from two to three feet long, and that is not including the tail. They are also the second-biggest rodent species in the world. The biggest is the capybara, a South American creature that also lives in the water.
If you would like to learn more about hunting and trapping beavers in North Dakota, visit the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website for the regulations and license information.
Why Try Eating Beaver Meat?
Eating beaver is a great way to utilize the meat you are harvesting when hunting and trapping beavers. The North American beaver has a long history as a food source. And when you eat them, you’re supporting my belief that you should "hunt to eat".
How To Make The Cheesy Beaver Sandwich
1. Preheat and Season: Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F. Season the beaver hindquarters generously with kosher salt.
2. Prepare the Spice Mix: In a small bowl, combine celery salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cumin. Set half of the spice mix aside for later.
3. Sear the Meat: Heat olive oil in a 6-quart Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the beaver hindquarters and sear for about 3 minutes per side until browned.
4. Add Aromatics and Broth: Add sliced onion, chicken broth, and half of the spice mix to the Dutch oven. Stir well, cover tightly with a lid or foil, and place in the oven.
5. Slow Cook: Let the meat cook undisturbed at 325 degrees F for 4 hours. This long cooking time ensures the meat becomes tender and easy to shred.
6. Shred the Meat: Remove the Dutch oven from the oven. Use tongs or forks to shred the meat off the bones and discard the bones.
7. Drain and Save Broth: Drain any remaining liquid from the Dutch oven and set it aside for future use as a soup base.
8. Preheat for Toasting: Increase the oven temperature to 425 degrees F. Lay Texas toast slices on a baking sheet and bake for about 7 minutes.
9. Finish the Meat: Add the remaining spice mix and Salsa Con Queso to the shredded beaver meat. Simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
10. Assemble the Sandwiches: Spoon the cheesy beaver meat mixture onto the warm Texas toast. Top with hamburger dill pickles for a tangy crunch. Serve immediately and enjoy!
American Beaver Recipes
If you want to try an American Beaver Steak recipe and love breakfast burritos, be sure and check out my Beaver Backstrap Breakfast Burrito recipe here.
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The Cheesy Beaver Meat Sandwich
Ingredients
- 2 bone-in beaver hindquarters, from 1 beaver
- salt
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, sliced
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon celery salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 cup Salsa Con Queso (from a jar)
- 16 slices Texas toast
- hamburger dill pickles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Season beaver hindquarters all over with kosher salt.
- In a small bowl, combine celery salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cumin. Set dry spice mix aside for later.
- Heat oil in a 6-quart Dutch oven on stovetop burner over medium-high heat. Add beaver hindquarters and cook for about 3 minutes on one side. Flip over and cook another 3 minutes on the other side.
- Add onion and chicken broth, and ONLY HALF of the dry spice ingredients to the Dutch oven. Save the other half of the spice mix to add toward the end of the cooking time. Mix well, cover with lid or tightly with foil, and place in the oven at 325 degrees F, undisturbed, for 4 hours.
- Take Dutch oven out, remove lid, and use tongs or forks to shred meat off of the bones. Discard the bones.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Drain off any remaining liquid in the Dutch oven and set liquid aside to use as a broth base for your next soup.
- Lay Texas toast slices on a baking pan and place on middle shelf of the oven. Bake for about 7 minutes.
- Meanwhile, add remaining half of the spice mix and the queso to the beaver meat and mix well. Simmer on stovetop, without the lid, over medium heat for about 5 minutes while the Texas toast is baking.
- Serve cheesy beaver meat mixture on the warm Texas toast with lots of hamburger dill pickles.
Henry says
Great recipe! I never thought to cook up beaver like this but it was really good and the kids and grandkids ate them up. I really liked the use of Texas toast. It's one of our favorites. Although I didn't slather as much cheese on them like in the picture on the website 🙂
Jeff Benda says
Thanks Henry. Great to hear when someone tries and enjoys these sandwiches as much as we do. We love Texas Toast too!