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

by Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com · 3 Comments

Jump to Recipe

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

Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
Stay in touch with me through social media@Pinterest,Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! Subscribe to the newsletter today (no spam, I promise)! Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!

📖 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/

More Main Dish

  • Best Good Friday Meals: Easy Recipes For Your Day Of Fasting
  • How To Make The Best Beef Stroganoff
  • Creamed Chipped Beef On Toast (S.O.S.)
  • Easy Cookout Food Ideas: Best Dishes To Bring To A Cookout

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Thanks for coming! Let me know what you think:

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  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

What is the preferred cooking method for quail? ›

Grill: Whole quail and stuffed quail are best cooked when seared over a high heat then allowed to finish roasting over indirect heat. On a gas grill turn the front and rear or left and right burners to medium-high and leave the middle burner off.

How to prepare quail for eating? ›

Quail legs are succulent and soft when cooked slowly in oil at a low temperature, a process known as confit. Quail breasts can be pan-fried, grilled or roasted; taking only a few minutes to cook, they are a great choice for a quick midweek dinner. The breasts, unlike chicken, can be served slightly pink in the middle.

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.

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.

What is the best food mix for quail? ›

A Chicken Layer Crumble with 16% protein and 3.5% calcium mixed with A Gamebird Starter that has 26% protein and 1.75% calcium will provide the correct protein and calcium needed for your breeders.

What is the best tasting quail? ›

Northern Bobwhite Quail are the most popular quail breed and are used for hunting and training bird dogs and they're great to eat.

Are quail worth eating? ›

Like most animals, quails are rich in protein. They are also a good source of iron, vitamin B6, zinc, and vitamin B3. For those who cannot bear to eat these creatures, quails are also sometimes kept as pets, and lay tiny speckled eggs that are also edible.

Do you need to soak quail before cooking? ›

Many people will tell you to brine overnight (12 hours or so). Since quail is a smaller bird brining as little as thirty minutes can make a difference and often overnight will leave your birds too salty for many tastes. If you have the time try brining you upland game for 1-2 hours.

How many quail does it take to feed one person? ›

They are small, so allow one quail per person for an hors d'oeuvre, and at least 2 per person for an entrée. Because they are lean, they need to be cooked quickly over high heat and served medium rare to retain their moisture and flavor.

Is quail meat healthy? ›

Quail is rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, iron and macronutrients such as calcium, phosphor, zinc and more. Here are a few prominent health benefits: it contains a host of vitamins, including Vitamin A, D, K and B. Quail eggs and meat are rich in selenium, essential fatty acids and antioxidants.

What does quail taste like? ›

They taste sort of like tiny ducks, since their breast meat is dark rather than white.

Should quail be served pink? ›

They are ready as soon as the skin can be pushed away from the bone of the leg. Quail is lovely when the breast is still pink but the leg meat is cooked through. Personally, I like my quail to have a crisp outer skin but still be a little pink on the inside.

Which is healthier, chicken or quail? ›

Quail meat has 4 times more vitamin C than chicken meat. Quail meat has over 3 times more iron than chicken meat and an incredibly 4% more iron than beef sirloin! Quail meat has vitamin A whereas chicken meat has none. Quail meat rates significantly higher in minerals and amino acids than chicken meat.

Who eats quail? ›

Both Old World and New World quail include edible species. The common quail used to be much favoured in French cooking, but quail for the table are now more likely to be domesticated Japanese quail. The common quail is also part of Polish, Maltese, Italian, Mexican, Spanish, and Indian cuisine.

What tastes better quail or pheasant? ›

Quail is high on my list of favorite game birds because it offers the best of both worlds. Its flavor is a nice balance between light and dark meat, and in my experience, cooking quail is more forgiving than pheasant.

How is quail served? ›

Quail are commonly eaten complete with the bones, since these are easily chewed and the small size of the bird makes it inconvenient to remove them.

Is it better to steam or boil quail eggs? ›

Instructions
  1. Place the quail eggs in a small saucepan.
  2. Cover them with cold water and add the vinegar and stir.
  3. Bring the water to a boil over low heat.
  4. When the water begins boiling, set a timer for 4 minutes.
  5. After 4 minutes, turn off the heat and let the eggs sit in the hot water another 2 minutes.
Sep 8, 2023

Is quail served 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.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Madonna Wisozk

Last Updated:

Views: 5556

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (68 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Madonna Wisozk

Birthday: 2001-02-23

Address: 656 Gerhold Summit, Sidneyberg, FL 78179-2512

Phone: +6742282696652

Job: Customer Banking Liaison

Hobby: Flower arranging, Yo-yoing, Tai chi, Rowing, Macrame, Urban exploration, Knife making

Introduction: My name is Madonna Wisozk, I am a attractive, healthy, thoughtful, faithful, open, vivacious, zany person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.