Are Groudhogs Good to Eat?

Unlike their plague-bearing cousins, prairie dogs, groundhogs are generally safe to consume. But are they tasty? After killing a large specimen during an uneventful, late-season turkey hunt, I can now answer that question with authority: Yes. Groundhogs are delicious and make excellent table fare.

Processing the groundhog was simple. First, I checked for obvious signs of illness. It looked healthy, so I felt confident to proceed. I used poultry shears to make quick work of the head, feet, and tail. A sharp knife took care of the rest. During this stage, I carefully removed the white, kernel-sized glands from the armpits and lower back.

The groundhog yielded an impressive amount of ruby-red meat. I parted it out just like I would a squirrel. I then seasoned the meat with salt, pepper, and thyme.

After browning the meat, I braised the groundhog in chicken stock until fork tender. It took about two and a half hours. By then, the meat was falling off the bone and shredded easily.

I sampled the meat on its own to gain an understanding of the flavor and texture. The flavor is robust and falls somewhere between dark chicken meat and pot roast. The texture was similar to dark chicken meat or gray squirrel. I didn’t detect any gamey or “off” flavors. It was genuinely tasty. 

I threw a portion of the meat into a biscuit casserole that I usually make with tuna. The dish was approachable enough that my wife even joined me for a bowl. The casserole was good, but the noodle soup I made with the leftovers was fantastic. The hearty, flavorful game added much-needed body to the normally benign broth. The results were delicious.

I wouldn’t hesitate to substitute groundhog for chicken in a variety of dishes, and possibly even for beef. I’m sure I would also enjoy it tossed with barbeque sauce and eaten on a bun. After a successful field-to-table experience, I’m looking forward to eating groundhog again. Next time, I’d like to test it on the grill. Give groundhog a try! You won’t be disappointed. 

Would you eat groundhog? Comment below.