Description
This rustic yet elegant **Pheasant with Apples** recipe combines tender, lean pheasant with the natural sweetness of apples for a cozy wild game dinner. Inspired by British food traditions, it’s slow-cooked to perfection with cider, onions, and herbs, making it a perfect autumn or winter main dish. Serve with roasted vegetables, polenta, or rustic bread for a comforting meal with a touch of sophistication.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pheasants (or substitute with quail or chicken)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 3 apples (Braeburn or Granny Smith), cored and sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup apple cider or dry white wine
- 1/2 cup chicken or game stock
- 1 tsp thyme or rosemary
- Optional: splash of brandy or Calvados
Instructions
- Pat pheasants dry and season with salt and pepper.
- In a heavy skillet, heat oil or butter. Brown pheasants on all sides, then set aside.
- Sauté onions and garlic until fragrant. Add apple slices and cook until lightly caramelized.
- Deglaze pan with cider or wine, scraping up browned bits. Add stock and herbs.
- Return pheasants to the pan. Cover and simmer gently for 45–60 minutes, until tender.
- Let rest for 10 minutes before serving with the apple-onion sauce spooned over the top.
Notes
- Don’t overcook—pheasant is lean and can dry out; braising keeps it juicy.
- Add butter or olive oil to balance leanness.
- Works equally well with quail, chicken, or even duck.
- For a festive touch, add a splash of Calvados or brandy to the sauce.
- Serve with roasted root vegetables, creamy polenta, or wild rice for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner, Wild Game, British Cuisine, Comfort Food
- Method: Braising, One-Pot
- Cuisine: British, European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 pheasant with apples and sauce
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: Pheasant with Apples, Wild Game Recipes, British Food, Comfort Dinner, Fall Recipes, Pheasant Dinner