Anyone know the IT for alligator?

  • Some of the links on this forum allow SMF, at no cost to you, to earn a small commission when you click through and make a purchase. Let me know if you have any questions about this.
SmokingMeatForums.com is reader supported and as an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.

plume-o-smoke

Fire Starter
Original poster
Dec 9, 2014
46
20
I'm grilling some alligator tenderloins tonight. Anyone know the internal temp I should shoot for? Is this like steak, sear the outside and leave the middle mid-rare? Or more like pork chop/chicken, cooked throughout?

Eatin' some Florida gator in Denver while watching the Av's beat down of Tampa Bay. (Or at least enjoying some good eats)
 
Treat it like chicken, need to kill the bugs. I've never smoked it but have cooked many ## pan fried with spicy red sauce. Very tasty that way!
 
I dusted them w/ my cajun spice, salt, garlic, lemon juice & oil for a few hours. Grilled w/ 2-zone, smoked w/ apple for ~30 min, finished on hot side. Bugs were killed at 160. Sliced it thin and served. Leftovers = tacos tomorrow.

I successfully achieved cooking them w/o making them taste like chicken. Texture was... tough pork chop-like. Cajun seasoning was a hit. All in all, I don't need to buy gator again, but now I know. Didn't get to watch my team hoist the cup but I had some good eats and good brews with good friends.
 

Attachments

  • Gator-Q.jpg
    Gator-Q.jpg
    229.3 KB · Views: 36
I believe an overnight/24 hr soak in buttermilk helps to tenderize them ...

GOOOOOO BOLTS :emoji_zap:
We don't have them in PA, but in the movies it looks like they prefer soaking in a "Red Sauce". (I believe they call it Human Blood)

Bear
 
Last edited:
more like pork chop/chicken, cooked throughout?
^ this

I used to hunt gators.
Grinding the meat is the way to go, if you ask me. Mix it 50/50 with poultry and/or pork. Then make burgers, taccos, empanadas,...

Soaking in milk, or making a cube steak never really worked for me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bearcarver
I know I'm a little late, but here a thread from a few years ago.


Chris
 
  • Like
Reactions: TNJAKE
SmokingMeatForums.com is reader supported and as an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.
Great deal on LEM Grinders!

Latest posts

Hot Threads

Clicky