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Southern Fried Quail Recipe

 

In this post I’ll be sharing a delicious Southern Fried Quail Recipe.

Quail have been a popular game bird in the south for generations. Hunters would hunt the bird to help feed their families. While quail hunting is still a popular hunting sport, you can also buy farm raised quail.

I personally don’t think quail has much of a game taste. I enjoy quail meat as well as quail eggs.

The quail you buy in the store will often come four to a package. The birds are cut so that each whole bird lay open. This makes it easier for grilling and cooking. You can order farm raised quail from local farmers or find it in the local farmer’s markets.

To fry quail I like to cut the bird into four pieces. Let your quail fully defrost. Cut the two leg/thigh pieces off. Next cut on either side to remove the spine and your left with the two breast/wing pieces. Quail are small so you’ll probably want to plan one bird per person.

Here’s what you’ll need (printable recipe card further down in post)
4 Quail, defrosted and cut into four pieces (two leg/thigh and two breast/wing)
All Purpose Flour
Salt
Black Pepper
Onion Powder
Garlic Powder
Paprika
Cayenne Pepper (optional)
Buttermilk
1 Egg
2 tablespoons of Water
Cooking oil for frying


Southern Fried Quail

How to cook quail? Preparing the quail is simple. You’ll want to begin by building your dredging station. In a medium bowl combine flour and seasonings together.

In a separate bowl beat one egg, mix together with buttermilk and water. The water just helps to lessen the thickness of the buttermilk and egg.

Green and white platter with quail ready for serving
 
Dredge each quail piece in the flour mixture, then coat in buttermilk mixture , then dredge once more in the flour mixture. Set the dredged quail pieces aside and allow to come to room temperature, about 25 minutes.
 
In a medium skillet add vegetable oil for frying. I added about 1/2″ of oil to my cast iron skillet. Heat the oil over medium heat until oil is hot for frying. You can test oil by adding a pinch of flour. If it sizzles the oil is ready.
 
Add quail pieces in batches, it took me two batches with four quail. Fry on each side about four minutes until golden brown.
 
Remove cooked pieces and set on a paper towel lined pan or plate to allow excess oil to drain.

Delicious Quail Recipe

fried quail on a plate with wild rice and asparagus
Quail is delicious with your favorite side dishes. I’ve chosen wild rice and asparagus for this particular meal. Fried quail is a more casual meal so any side that you might enjoy with fried chicken would work for this dinner.
platter with fried game bird

What are your favorite ways to prepare quail?

Is Quail Good To Eat?: Quail is delicious. These small game birds have been bread for food for many thousands of years. I’ve read that you can even eat the delicate bones of the quail although I’ve never tried it.

Quail meat is also very nutritious having more vitamin c and iron than chicken.  Your family will love this wonderful pan fried quail recipe.

 
Yield: 4 Servings

Southern Fried Quail Recipe

fried quail on a plate with wild rice and asparagus

Delicious Southern fried quail is a delicious dinner.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 Quail, defrosted and cut into four pieces (two leg/thigh and two breast/wing)
  • 2 c Flour, all purpose
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
  • 1/4 tsp Onion Powder
  • 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Paprika
  • 1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper (optional)
  • 1/2 c Buttermilk
  • 1 Egg
  • 2 tbsp. Water

Other

  • Cooking oil for frying

Instructions

  1. Prepare the dredge: In a medium bowl combine flour and seasonings together. In a separate bowl beat one egg, mix together with buttermilk and water.
  2. Dredge each quail piece in the flour mixture, then coat in buttermilk mixture , then dredge once more in the flour mixture. Set the dredged quail pieces aside and allow to come to room temperature, about 25 minutes.
  3. In a medium skillet add vegetable oil for frying. I added about 1/2″ of oil to my cast iron skillet. Heat the oil over medium heat until oil is hot for frying.
  4. Add the quail pieces in batches to avoid over crowding the pan. Fry on each side about four minutes until golden brown. Remove cooked pieces and set on a paper towel lined pan or plate to allow excess oil to drain.
  5. Transfer to a serving platter.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 385Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 96mgSodium: 304mgCarbohydrates: 50gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 31g
Southern Fried Quail

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Meet Julia

Author of Julia's Simply Southern

 
 

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Anonymous

Monday 16th of May 2016

Can't wait to try these...will serve over cheese grits.

Julia's Simply Southern

Thursday 19th of May 2016

Oh that sounds perfect!! Let me know how it turns out for you.

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