Mountain lions carry Trichinosis, a parasitic disease caused by roundworms of the Trichinella type. To avoid getting Trichinosis, always cook mountain lion meat to at least 165 degrees before consuming. (Field 2 Grill photo)
November 05, 2020
By Rydell Danzie, host of "Field 2 Grill"
Print Recipe
People ask me all the time if you can eat mountain lion (aka cougar, puma, panther) meat and the answer is a resounding yes! Not only can you eat it, but it is also great for you. Cougar tastes like a rich cut of fine pork, so don’t be quick to dismiss it.
During the chase, you will be whipped into shape as you follow the hounds up and down the mountainsides to harvest this often overlooked delicious meat source. Hearing the hounds vocalize while in hot pursuit will get your blood pumping, and you will soon be out of breath in the already thinned air of the higher elevations. Feeling like you should have worked out just a little bit harder, the chase will be well worth it. Your efforts will be rewarded when you bring this incredible animal from the field to the grill.
Mountain lion hunting is allowed in more than a dozen states — mostly in the West, Rockies and Great Plains. Check your state's regulations for more information.
(Field 2 Grill photo) Advertisement
Yield: 6 (¼-pound) burger pattiesPrep time: 15 minutes Cook time: To Temp (165 degrees)
Mountain lions can carry Trichinosis, so, just like when cooking bear and pig, make sure to cook the meat thoroughly and to at least 165 degrees.
>> Click here for more tips on how to safely cook feline.
This particular lion was taken in the Nevada hills with the efforts of Monte Cleave Dwire of Bull Creek Lion Hunts and Lonny Cole of Vantage Point Outfitters .
Ingredients:
1 ½ pounds mountain lion backstrap ½ pound fat of choice* Any rub/seasonings that suits your tastes 3 jalapeno peppers 1 white onion 2 cloves of garlic 1 egg ½ cup bread crumbs *I used fat from corned beef. You can also use fat from bacon.
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Directions:
Gather all of your ingredients and pull the mountain lion meat from the fridge. Mountain lion backstrap (Field 2 Grill photo) Cube your meat to whatever size your grinder will allow. Grind the meat and fat together with the coarse plate. The garlic cloves should be added during this process. Dice the onion and jalapenos and add to the newly ground meat. Fold and mix the meat by hand. Add your seasonings, such as salt and black pepper or any other seasonings you desire. Add in the egg and bread crumbs and continue to mix. Form ¼-pound patties (be careful not to over handle). Seasoned mountain lion burger patty (Field 2 Grill photo) Throw the burger patties on the grill and cook until the internal temp is 165 degrees. (Field 2 Grill photo) Serve your mountain lion burgers up on a bun with whatever condiments you like, then pour yourself something to drink and enjoy! For more info on Field 2 Grill, visit: f2goutdoors.com
