Black Bear Burgers

 In the heart of the great outdoors, where the wilderness embraces the horizon, and nature's bounty thrives, there exists a unique culinary experience waiting to be savored. For the intrepid hunter, the outdoorsman, and the aficionado of all things wild, black bear meat stands as a testament to the rich rewards of embracing the age-old practice of hunting and gathering your own food.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground black bear meat
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 4 hamburger buns
• Toppings of your choice (lettuce, tomato, cheese, pickles, etc.)
• Cooking oil (for greasing the pan)

Instructions:

1. Preheat Your Cast Iron Pan: Place your cast iron pan on the stovetop over medium-high heat and let it preheat for a few minutes. You want it to be nice and hot before cooking the burgers.
2. Prepare the Burger Mix: In a mixing bowl, combine the ground black bear meat, finely chopped onion, breadcrumbs, egg, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Mix everything together thoroughly. This mixture will form your burger patties.
3. Shape the Patties: Divide the mixture into four equal portions and shape them into burger patties. Make sure they are about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick, and slightly larger than the hamburger buns since they will shrink as they cook.
4. Grease the Pan: Add a bit of cooking oil to the preheated cast iron pan to prevent the burgers from sticking.
5. Cook the Burgers: Place the burger patties in the hot cast iron pan. Let them cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side for medium-rare to medium doneness. Adjust the cooking time based on your preference for doneness.
6. Toast the Buns: While the burgers are cooking, you can lightly toast the hamburger buns in the pan or in a separate skillet for extra flavor and texture.
7. Assemble Your Burgers: Once the burgers are cooked to your liking, remove them from the pan. Place them on the toasted buns and add your favorite toppings. Lettuce, tomato, cheese, and pickles are classic choices, but feel free to get creative!
8. Serve and Enjoy: Serve your black bear burgers hot with your chosen toppings and any condiments you like. Enjoy the delicious flavors of your wild game creation!

These black bear burgers are not only a great way to showcase the benefits of hunting and cooking your own food but also a tasty treat for any outdoor enthusiast. Bon appétit!

https://www.dinewild.com/recipes/bear-recipes/black-bear-burgers/