Roasted Quail: An Easy and Flavorful Roasted Quail Dinner Recipe! (2024)

by Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com · 3 Comments

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Roasted quail is an incredibly easy and utterly delicious dinner! If you're a hunter or meat aficionado, this is definitely a recipe you'll love to make! This small bird is juicy, flavorful, and so easy to prepare! If you've never tried roasted quail, now is the time!

Cast Iron Skillet Roasted Quail

Roasted quail is such an elegant comfort food (the best of both worlds)! Each person at the dinner table gets their own bird roasted to perfection in a cast-iron skillet.

If you're a quail hunter, or simply a home cook that enjoys game birds, this is a simple and delicious recipe you have to try. This quick-cooking bird is so easy to prepare!

Roasted Quail: An Easy and Flavorful Roasted Quail Dinner Recipe! (1)
Jump to:
  • Cast Iron Skillet Roasted Quail
  • 🥘 Roasted Quail Ingredients
  • 🔪 How To Make Roasted Quail
  • ❓ What Does Quail Taste Like?
  • ❓ Should Quail Be Pink?
  • ❓ How Long Do You Roast Quail For?
  • 🥩 More Wild Game
  • 📖 Recipe Card
  • 💬 Reviews

🥘 Roasted Quail Ingredients

You don't need much to make incredible roasted quail! There are just 3 simple ingredients.

Roasted Quail: An Easy and Flavorful Roasted Quail Dinner Recipe! (2)
  • Quail - 4 whole quails (about 1 pound).
  • Olive oil - ½ tablespoon of olive oil. For best results, use EVOO (extra virgin olive oil).
  • Poultry Seasoning- ½ teaspoon of my simple poultry seasoning, or your favorite brand.

*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*

🔪 How To Make Roasted Quail

Quail is a quick-cooking bird and this recipe is mostly hands-off! All you need is a cast-iron skillet or baking dish, a basting brush, and measuring spoons.

I prepared 4 quails with 1 bird per person. You can always make more, but you will need to work in batches or use a second pan.

Roasted Quail: An Easy and Flavorful Roasted Quail Dinner Recipe! (3)
Roasted Quail: An Easy and Flavorful Roasted Quail Dinner Recipe! (4)
  1. Prep. Preheat your oven to 400°F(205°C)and lightly grease your cast iron skillet or baking dish.
  2. Season. Pat the 1 pound of whole quails dry and then brush with ½ tablespoon of olive oil and season with ½ teaspoon of poultry seasoning.
  3. Roast. Transfer the seasoned quail to a baking dish. Roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the quail is done(*see note).
  4. Rest. Transfer your quail to a tray, plate, or cutting board and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Round out your meal with a hearty carb and a vegetable. Balsamic roasted brussel sprouts and crispy roasted red potatoes would be a great choice. Enjoy!

💭 Tips & Notes

  • Quail is medium-rare once it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F(62°C).Many chefs and meat enthusiasts claim this is the best temperature to enjoy it at. The CDC recommends quail be cooked to 165°F(75°C),which is about medium-well. While some people prefer to cook their quail even more(up to 180°F (82°C) for very well-done).
  • To store: Leftover roasted quail should be kept in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 2 days. You may freeze it in an airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag for 2-3 months.
  • To reheat: Place the quail in a baking dish with a splash of broth or water and cover with foil. Reheat in a 300°F(150°C)oven until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F(75°C),15-20 minutes depending on the size of the quail.

❓ What Does Quail Taste Like?

Quail is dark meat and is often compared to a cross between a duck and a chicken. It is slightly gamey, tender, and mild. Farm-raised quail will be closer to chicken than wild quail which is gamier because their diet is unregulated.

❓ Should Quail Be Pink?

Quail is small and lean, meaning it can overcook and dry out quickly. A slightly pink middle is ideal for tender and juicy quail.

❓ How Long Do You Roast Quail For?

This is dependent on the size of your quail and the temperature you are roasting at. At 400°F(205°C), 4 average-sized quail takes about 25-30 minutes to roast.

Roasted Quail: An Easy and Flavorful Roasted Quail Dinner Recipe! (5)

🥩 More Wild Game

  • Whole Roasted Duck
  • Rabbit Stew
  • Bison Burgers
  • Venison Tenderloin Roast
  • Smoked Bison Prime Rib
  • Ground Venison Tacos

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📖 Recipe Card

Roasted Quail

Roasted quail is an incredibly easy and utterly delicious dinner! If you're a hunter or meat aficionado, this is definitely a recipe you'll love to make! This small bird is juicy, flavorful, and so easy to prepare! If you've never tried roasted quail, now is the time!

Author | Angela

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 234kcal

Prep 5 minutes minutes

Cooking 25 minutes minutes

Resting time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 35 minutes minutes

Pin Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 lb whole quails (4 quails)
  • ½ tablespoon olive oil (extra virgin)
  • ½ teaspoon poultry seasoning (see recipe or use your favorite brand)

Help Us Out!If you love a recipe, be sure to come back and share your ratings. This helps future users, and allows me to continue sharing free recipes! Angela

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C) and lightly grease your cast iron skillet or baking dish.

  • Pat the quail dry and then brush with olive oil and season with poultry seasoning.

  • Transfer the seasoned quail to a baking dish. Roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the quail is done (*see note).

  • Transfer your quail to a tray, plate, or cutting board and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Quail is medium-rare once it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (62°C). Many chefs and meat enthusiasts claim this is the best temperature to enjoy it at. The CDC recommends quail be cooked to 165°F (75°C), which is about medium-well. While some people prefer to cook their quail even more (up to 180°F (82°C) for very well-done).
  • To store: Leftover roasted quail should be kept in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 2 days. You may freeze it in an airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag for 2-3 months.
  • To reheat: Place the quail in a baking dish with a splash of broth or water and cover with foil. Reheat in a 300°F (150°C)oven until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C),15-20 minutes depending on the size of the quail.

Nutrition

Calories: 234kcal (12%) | Carbohydrates: 0.2g | Protein: 22g (44%) | Fat: 15g (23%) | Saturated Fat: 4g (25%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 86mg (29%) | Sodium: 60mg (3%) | Potassium: 247mg (7%) | Fiber: 0.03g | Sugar: 0.01g | Vitamin A: 282IU (6%) | Vitamin C: 7mg (8%) | Calcium: 17mg (2%) | Iron: 5mg (28%)

Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!

best roasted quail, cast ir on skillet recipe, easy roast quail recipe, game meat, pan roasted quail, Roasted Quail, roasted whole quail, simple quail cooking method

Course Dinner Recipes, Game Meat Recipes, Main Course

Cuisine American

Roasted Quail: An Easy and Flavorful Roasted Quail Dinner Recipe! (7)

Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com

Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!

bakeitwithlove.com/about/

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Comments

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  1. Dan Murray says

    Roasted Quail: An Easy and Flavorful Roasted Quail Dinner Recipe! (12)
    The quail here in Ms. Are smaller than those up north. At 400°these birds are perfect in at around 18-22 minutes. You need to watch them closely so they don't dry out. Mine turned out great. Dan Murray

    Reply

  2. Paul says

    Roasted Quail: An Easy and Flavorful Roasted Quail Dinner Recipe! (13)
    I soak quails for one day in salted water.

    Reply

  3. Dena Miller says

    Roasted Quail: An Easy and Flavorful Roasted Quail Dinner Recipe! (14)
    First time cooking quail. It turned out very well, succulent, tender. I seared them for about a minute on each side before placing in the oven. Only seasoning I used was kosher salt and lots of freshly ground pepper.

    Reply

Roasted Quail: An Easy and Flavorful Roasted Quail Dinner Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

Which cooking method is best for quail? ›

The easiest way to cook them is in a basket (like one used to cook fish) or skewered like shrimp. Pre-heat grill to a medium-high heat. Grill the legs on one side for about 3-5 minutes then flip and cook for another 3-5 minutes.

What does roasted quail taste like? ›

Many people consider quail to have a much gamier taste than chicken. It is often referred to as tasting like a mix between chicken and duck. Additionally, quail is typically more tender than chicken meat and is known for being very moist when prepared correctly.

How long does it take for a quail to cook? ›

For my oven, roasting quail for 14 minutes at 525 degrees is the sweet spot. The skin gets crispy after 14 minutes and the meat is still juicy. Depending on your oven, if you can go higher than 525 degrees, consider roasting it for 12 to 13 minutes. If 500 is as high as you can go, roast for 15 to 16 minutes.

Do you need to soak quail before cooking? ›

Marinate or brine the quail, if desired.

You don't need to marinate or brine the quail, but since the meat is lean and fairly dry, doing so can reduce the risk of drying the meat out during the cooking process.

What is the best food mix for quail? ›

The best solution that we have found for most people is to purchase a Chicken Layer Crumble and mix it with equal parts to a Gamebird Breeder Crumble. Your goal here is to provide 18-22% protein and 2.5-3.5% calcium.

What are the disadvantages of quail meat? ›

A high intake of protein is not suitable for your health. Always seek advice from a physician if you want to consume Quail meat frequently. Quail meat should not be consumed by those who suffer from knee joint discomfort or joint pain, also known as inflammation of the knee.

How much meat do you get from one quail? ›

Yields. Rarely will you find a quail weighing more than 5 ounces and once dressed these birds weigh, on average, 4 ounces. Obviously, some of that weight is bones, but it's likely fair to say you'll get 2-3 ounces of actual meat from each quail.

How good is quail meat? ›

Quail meat is moist, tender and juicy. This plump meat has a distinctive taste and a mild flavour that is rich. It is the light texture of quail that makes it perfect for grilling, roasting, and baking. Quail is lean and hence is best prepared with barding, or moist heat, which consists of adding fat around the meat.

Why is quail meat expensive? ›

“It's more expensive to produce quails than chickens, as the birds require a higher-protein feed of roughly 28% in comparison with a broiler starter ration that averages between 18% and 20%.

Which is healthier chicken or quail? ›

Context in source publication. ... Table 1 shows, the flesh of quails [22] has a lower calorie level and a higher protein level than chicken and duck meat. Quail meat also has a lower fat content than chicken and duck meat. ...

What is quail in the Bible? ›

In Exodus, then, the Quail appear as a sign of God's providence and generosity, and also a foreshadowing of the Eucharist and the Incarnation. In the Desert, God gave his people bread from heaven and flesh from the sky in the form of Quail.

How do you know when quail is done? ›

Once both sides are browned, move the quail to the middle or indirect heat on the grill. Continue cooking with this indirect heat until its interior temperature is around 165F, 10–12 minutes more.

Is quail good for health? ›

Compared to eating chicken, eating quail is better for you because quail meat is higher in vitamin C and iron. Quail gives you vitamin A whereas chicken does not. And quail also gives you more minerals and amino acids than chicken meat.

Can quail be cooked medium rare? ›

Quail are quick-cooking birds that are easy to get right: They're delicious served medium-rare, medium, and even well-done. Here we pair them with a deceptively simple pan sauce featuring fresh plums.

Is it better to steam or boil quail eggs? ›

Once the water has reached a hard boil, add the quail eggs. Next, you will need to set your timer for 10 minutes, if you'd like a soft boiled egg the steaming time is 8 minutes. Keep in mind, anything longer than 10 minutes will cause the egg whites to become rubbery in texture.

What is the most suitable method for cooking poultry? ›

Tips & Techniques > Cooking Methods for Poultry Breasts
  • Most Suitable: Dry Heat: pan frying, baking/roasting, grilling, shallow frying, deep frying, stir frying, sauteing. ...
  • Suitable: Dry-heat: searing, broiling.
  • Less Suitable: Moist-heat: simmering, boiling, braising, stewing, pot roasting.

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