How to Use Leftover Meat Scraps

by
posted on August 3, 2011
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
201183153254-leftovermeat_f.jpg

When hunting, butchering and cooking, there are always meat scraps that don’t quite make it into any particular cut. This is especially true with the more muscular bits. Those can all be collected and frozen in well-labeled plastic bags. During the summer, I like to gradually use the meat scraps in my freezer in order to make room for the fall hunting seasons. Here are some dish ideas that are perfectly suited for those leftover meat scraps.

Sausage
Sausages are one of the oldest prepared foods. Traditionally, it was a way to make use of the less-desirable animal parts and scraps that could be cured in salt and put in the cleaned, inside-out intestines of an animal. Today, things aren’t done much differently than they were thousands of years ago. Sausage is simply a combination of meat scraps, fat, salt and spices, stuffed into natural animal casing. The combinations of flavors are endless, and it is a chance to experiment with your favorite ingredients.

Using freshly ground spices will give the scraps a vibrant flavor. And since the meat scraps will likely have a lot of muscle tissue, it is important to grind the meat finely to avoid a dense or chewy sausage. To do so, make sure you are working with very cold meat and equipment before putting it through the meat grinder. 

Meatloaf
If stuffing sausage casings is a bit more work than you’re up for, meatloaf is another great way you can your use scraps. Simply grind frozen scraps, then mix with bread crumbs, eggs, fresh herbs, minced onion, celery, carrot, Worcestershire, coarse mustard and your other favorite flavors and bake at 350 degrees for an hour, and you have a delicious meal for dinner. It is even great served cold on sandwiches the next day. Hunter’s Pie

A pie is perfect for a medley of game-bird scraps that wouldn’t necessarily make a meal on their own. You can use a double pie crust the way you would in a traditional “pot pie,” but you could also use leftover mashed potatoes as your top “crust.” This is sometimes referred to as Hunter’s Pie. I have often seen it made with pheasants, but any game bird or other game meat will work well along with your favorite veggies. I find that three chukar is equal to two pheasants, three grouse, six quail or 12 doves. 

Chili
Javelina scraps are one of my favorite meats to turn into chili. The natural smokiness of the meat lends itself well to chili. Once you have enough meat, you can put the frozen scraps through a meat grinder, or dice it finely, then toss in a skillet with a chipotle pepper in Adobo sauce, some diced peppers and some beans and simmer until fully flavored. This chili will taste even better the next day, and even better the day after that. It will also freeze well in smaller portions. 

Stew
There’s nothing better than a stew of meat scraps that have turned buttery over a long period of cooking. Stews are best in the colder months, but summer stews can be tasty if you lighten them up with fresh summer vegetables like fava beans, peas, swiss chard, tomatoes, corn, or other seasonal vegetables in your area. You can keep the broth light by using water or bird stock and skipping any flour or other thickener. 

What are your favorite ways to use leftover meat scraps?

Latest

44 Mag HST LEDE
44 Mag HST LEDE

New for 2025: Federal’s Personal Defense HST .44 Rem. Mag.

Federal Ammunition has recently added a new HST .44 Remington Magnum “Light Magnum” load featuring a specially designed hollow-point bullet, ideal for those seeking HST performance for self-defense with magnum revolvers.

Utah Wildlife Board Updates

The Utah Wildlife Board approved a few new and updated rules, some of which are necessary after recent legislative changes—including the wildlife management area license requirement for certain counties and the new process for regulating hunting guides and outfitters—along with a few other proposals during a public meeting Thursday.

Member's Hunt: A Tale of Two Moose

This month's Member's Hunt comes from John R. Bean of Tucson, Ariz.

Breeding Duck Numbers Decline Again in ND

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s 78th-annual spring breeding duck survey conducted in May showed an index of about 2.66-million birds, down from 2.9 million in 2024 and 3.4 million in 2023.

2025-26 Pennsylvania Migratory Game Bird Seasons Set

Pennsylvania’s 2025-26 migratory game bird seasons have been set. There are two significant changes to waterfowl seasons. The regular season daily bag limit for Canada geese in the Atlantic Population Zone has decreased from three to one, and for northern pintail, there will be a flat daily bag limit of three.

New for 2025: Christensen Arms Evoke in 450 Bushmaster

Christensen Arms has announced the release of the Evoke rifle chambered in powerful 450 Bushmaster.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.