Dove is a standout in the world of the best tasting game meat, offering a distinct flavor that's both rich and versatile. There are so many unique dove recipes that can suit any palette, from classic bacon-wrapped jalapeño dove poppers with cream cheese to dove saltimbocca bites.
We're all about embracing the thrill of the hunt and the joy of cooking up our hard-earned bounty. Even moreso, we love taking the wild protein and elevating it to unexpected levels with gourmet wild game recipes. With that spirit in mind, we've curated a list of 11 delicious dove recipes to try this fall. Whether you're a fan of grilling, roasting, or slow-cooking, there's a recipe featuring dove meat here for every chef to try.
These are more than just a list of dove recipes—they're a nod to our love for the outdoors and the unique flavors of wild game. So, next time you're back from a successful day in the field, why not try a new dove dish? You might find a new favorite that becomes a staple for many dove hunting seasons to come. Dive in, and let's get cooking!
Dove Nuggets
Pintrest/Hilda's Kitchen Blog
Delicious Dove Nuggets make the perfect dish for a crispy dove appetizer or a light dinner. After filleting the dove breasts, dip them in flour, breadcrumbs seasoned with garlic, salt and pepper or Creole seaoning depending on how spicy you like your bread crumbs. The breasts get placed into olive oil in a pan on the stove to crisp up and the high heat cooks the dove within 35-45 seconds. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Roasted Whole Dove With Paprika and Butter
Georgia Pellegrini
The lengthy prep time for this whole dove recipe is worth every second of effort. It starts with a marinade of oil, water, vinegar, salt, honey, and pepper. You'll get your veggies from the cucumber and tomato salad that includes a touch of fresh basil. Once it's marinated for two hours, you'll grill it for around 10 minutes. Enjoy!
Mourning Dove and Sweet Potato Hash
Edible Tulsa
There's no better way to embrace dove season than with this Mourning Dove and Sweet Potato Hash. Before you cook dove for dinner, you need to spend some time plucking and cleaning the bird. For this recipie, the breast meat gets cut away from the bone and diced, then mixed with mushrooms, chives, garlic, olive oil, and spices like chili pepper, salt, and black pepper. If your mouth isn't watering after that, then it surely will be after adding the sweet potatoes, goat cheese, and additional chives. Yum!
Spicy Dove on Tomato
Sporting Chef
If you like a little spice in your life, try this Spicy Dove on Tomato recipe. It's a mouthwatering combination of dove breasts, chilies, tomatoes, and jack cheese that can be served as an appetizer or a light dinner. The dove is cooked on high heat in a pan, then layered with the other ingredients and broiled to a cheesy perfection.
Dove Teriyaki
Hunt Gather Cook
Hank Shaw of Hunter Angler Gardener Cook has so many tasty game meat recipes that two of his dove creations appear on our list. Whole doves are marinated in a homemade teriyaki sauce, cooked, then served with sautéed veggies and chilies (or whatever else you happen to have on hand). The dove in this recipe can be swapped for other birds like quail, pigeon, or squab.
Stout Braised Dove
Laura's Wild Kitchen
Stout Braised Dove keeps your bird nice and moist. This dove meat recipe uses a hearty stout as the braising liquid, but you can use red wine or beer instead. The recipe also calls for garlic, mushrooms, carrots, and balsamic vinegar. It's measured for 10 doves, which is the daily bag limit in Texas and many other states.
Butter Seared Dove Breast With Garlic Fresh Herbs
Jess Pryles
It's difficult for a recipe to go wrong if you have plenty of butter and herbs, and this dove dinner is no exception. It's quick, easy, and tasty. While you pat your dove dry with a paper towel, heat oil in a sauce pan. Add your dove, herbs, butter and garlic and within 10 minutes you'll have a very tasty meal.
Dove Saltimbocca Bites
Hunger and Thirst
Apple, dove, and prosciutto—the perfect trio! Since the dove doesn't take very long to cook, sauté your apple slices in a pan to soften them a little. Once softened, wrap the apple slice together with a sage leaf in the dove breast. It should stick together with a little cornstarch, but you can always grab a toothpick to hold it together. Add your prosciutto slice and cook away!
Cast-Iron Seared Dove with Creamy Grits
Anxious Hunter Food Blog
If you love cream cheese but don't want poppers, then this grits and dove recipe may just become your new favorite. Season your dove breasts before dipping them in potato starch and sear them carefully in a cast iron skillet. Your grits will cook separately in four cups of water. Don't worry about having to drain off any excess, because the grits, butter, and cream cheese will absorb it all. Add the grits and dove to a plate with veggies and enjoy.
Dove Tortellini
Hunt Gather Cook
This Dove Tortellini takes some extra care, but it may just become your new favorite meal. The minimal ingredients bring out the flavor of the dove and the buttery juniper berries, rosemary, and parmesan create a complimentary sauce.
Bacon Wrapped Dove
Grits and Gouda
A tried-and-true recipe for this game bird is to pair it with jalepeño poppers. Fill your jalepeño with around two tablespoons of cream cheese, add in your dove breast, and a half slice of bacon and grill. If you want to use less bacon, cut your slices in thirds and fasten with a toothpick or small skewer to hold. Don't have a grill? This recipe can be made in the air fryer as well!
READ MORE: 6 Wild Game Chefs You Should Follow for Tasty Recipes
