You may know alligator as a reptile you don't want to run into out in the Louisiana bayou. But did you know it's also a food that some people find delicious? In fact, in parts of Louisiana, alligator is so plentiful and prized that you will often find alligator used as a substitute for chicken or seafood in recipes.
During our recent visit to New Orleans, alligator was often listed among the appetizers and entrees of a menu. Locals will tell you that it tastes like chicken, but denser and slightly chewy.
Alligator meat is healthy because of its high protein and low fat content. It is also a good source of Omega 3 fatty acids. At one time, alligator meat was believed to help cure colds and asthma.
In the United States it is only legal to eat alligator meat sourced from alligator farms -- unless a person hunting is one of the select few with proper tags and holds a license as a distributor.
Alligator meat has four common choice cuts: white tail meat, body meat from backbone, dark tail meat, or feet. White tail meat is tender like veal. Body meat is pink and tougher like pork shoulder. Dark tail meat is very tough. Alligator feet is very similar to frog legs.
So what do you say, are you ready to try it?
Alligator can be prepared in many ways, including:
- Deep fried
- Bites
- Blackened
- Jerky
- Smoked
- Gumbo
- Roasted
- Sauteed
- Sausage
- Grilled
Here are three New Orleans restaurants with some interesting sounding alligator dishes:
Jacques-Imo’s
- Shrimp and Alligator Sausage Cheesecake
Oceana Grill
- The Royal Omelet: New Orleans original alligator sausage, with fresh diced vegetables, topped with a crawfish and mushroom cream sauce
- Blackened alligator bites
- Cajun alligator sausage
- Caesar or Greek salad topped with grilled or blackened alligator
- Fried or blackened alligator bite Po-Boy
- Grilled Cajun Alligator Sausage Po-Boy
- Gator tail bites
Cochon
- Fried alligator with chili garlic mayonnaise
If you would like to be a part of our foodie family, you can sign up for free to get EATS in your inbox once a month for free.
