Top 84 European Game Dishes

Pappardelle is a famous Tuscan pasta variety. When paired with ragù di cinghiale (made with wild boar), they become one of the region's best gastronomic experiences. Unlike classic ragù, the one prepared with wild boar has an intense, much stronger flavor achieved by long, slow simmering in a rich sauce of tomatoes and red wine. The tender meat paired with fresh egg pasta is a combination full of flavors and tradition in every single bite - rich and delicious, topped with a generous amount of chopped fresh parsley and a sprinkle of Parmigiano, pappardelle al ragù di cinghiale make a perfect, comforting winter dish, especially when paired with a glass of Tuscan red wine.Expand

Pappardelle alla lepre is an ancient Tuscan dish – allegedly, Boccaccio himself was impressed with these pasta ribbons which are cooked in broth and flavored with hare meat. The preparation of this rich dish is time-consuming – the hare must be marinated in wine, vinegar, and aromatic herbs in order to develop the flavor and eliminate the strong gamey smell, and it is then slowly simmered with chopped onions, carrots, celery, wine, tomatoes, bay leaves, salt, pepper, and stock. Interestingly, the original name of this dish was pappardelle sulla lepre, meaning pappardelle on top of the hare, allegedly due to the fact that it was once much easier to find the hare than eggs or flour – so the typical plate used to contain lots of meat and only a few ribbons of pasta. Even though the times have changed, that just may be the reason why (in Tuscany) papardelle are traditionally placed on top of the sauce and not the other way around. Due to their complex flavor, pappardelle alla lepre pair especially well with full-bodied red wines.Expand

Kouneli stifado is a traditional stew consisting of pieces of browned rabbit meat that have been cooked with onions, tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic, red wine or red wine vinegar, chicken or rabbit stock, and olive oil. A handful of warm and aromatic spices and seasonings are typically used to flavor the sauce, including cinnamon, bay leaves, allspice berries, oregano, rosemary, cumin, salt, and black pepper. The dish is usually enjoyed warm, sprinkled with freshly ground black pepper on top, and it's typically accompanied by crusty bread and a glass of Greek red wine or retsina (a Greek white resinated wine).Expand

Fenkata is the national dish of Malta, a communal meal that is prepared with rabbit as the star of the feast. A whole rabbit is typically marinated in wine, then stewed with aromatic herbs and vegetables such as carrots, tomatoes, onions, and garlic until tender. The sauce should be rich in flavor and thick in texture. It is recommended to serve fenkata with pasta (usually spaghetti) or potatoes, while olives and capers might also be added to the dish in order to further elevate its flavors.Expand

Poronkäristys is the traditional dish of Sámi people in Finland, Norway and Sweden, prepared by sautéing reindeer meat. The dish originates from the Arctic Lapland where the semi-nomadic, indigenous people called Sámi have been herding reindeers for a very long time. Thin slices of reindeer meat are usually sautéed in butter, with or without onions, and slowly simmered in beer or stock until they develop a tender and succulent texture. The most common and traditional accompaniments for the dish include creamy mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam, but it can also be accompanied by pasta or rice. Although the dish can often be found in restaurants throughout Scandinavia, frozen meat can also be bought in most supermarkets. According to recent studies, along with being extremely tasty, reindeer meat is one the healthiest foods, high in B-12, omega-3, and omega-6, a possible reason why poronkäristys is consumed throughout the year.Expand

Hirschgulasch is a traditional type of goulash, a stew of meat, vegetables, and spices made specifically with venison, or deer meat, instead of the beef or pork that might be used in other types of goulash. The name of the dish translates to venison goulash. The venison is typically cut into small, bite-sized pieces and then slow-cooked with various ingredients like onions, garlic, tomatoes, and a variety of spices. Other ingredients can also be included, such as red wine, bay leaves, juniper berries, and herbs, all of which enhance the flavor of the dish. The result is a rich, hearty stew with a robust flavor. Expand

Salmì di cervo is a traditional dish originating from the Valtellina valley. Although there are variations, the dish is usually made with a combination of venison, red wine, pancetta, carrots, onions, garlic, celery, butter, olive oil, and herbs and spices such as nutmeg, cloves, bay leaves, sage, rosemary, thyme, juniper berries, peppercorns, salt, and pepper. Some recipes also use flour, tomatoes, pig blood, and mushrooms for extra flavor. The meat is cut into pieces and marinated in wine with the spices and herbs, carrots, onions, and garlic. The pancetta is sautéed in butter and olive oil, and the meat is browned in the same pan. Nutmeg, cloves, and salt are added to the dish, while the drained vegetables from the marinade are cooked into a sauce that's blended and reduced. The dish is served hot and it's typically accompanied by polenta on the side.Expand

Cinghiale in umido is a Tuscan stew prepared with wild boar meat as the main ingredient. Apart from the wild boar meat cut into pieces, the stew also contains vinegar, red wine, carrots, celery, onions, garlic, olive oil, and tomato sauce. It is flavored with bay leaves, red chili flakes, and juniper berries. This dish is especially popular during the hunting season in fall and winter, and it is recommended to serve it with white beans, roasted potatoes, and sliced Tuscan bread on the side.Expand

Nyúlpaprikás is a traditional rabbit stew. In the traditional recipes, almost the entire rabbit, apart from the bones, is used for the stew. Other main ingredients for the stew include onions, garlic, red peppers, and tomatoes. Some recipes also add mushrooms, red or white wine, and bacon. Nyúlpaprikás is usually served with spätzle, a type of pasta traditionally used in Hungarian cuisine. It can also be served with pickles and potatoes. This dish spread from the Hungarian countryside, where people often enjoyed hunting rabbits and other game. While it's still very popular, nyúlpaprikás is mostly found on the menus of authentic Hungarian restaurants that specialize in traditional dishes. Expand

Fenek moqli is a traditional dish. It's made with a combination of rabbit meat, sunflower oil, thyme, dry white wine, and garlic. The meat is cut into pieces before it's marinated in white wine, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. It's then fried in oil until the meat is fully cooked. Traditionally, fried rabbit is served with french fries or baked potatoes and fresh bread that's used to mop up the juices.Expand