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Wild Game Cuisine

Kickin’ Gobbler Corn Dogs

Wild turkey legs are super underrated. These prime cuts continually get a bad rap for being inedible—too tough, too dry … the list of fallacies is endless.

Josh Dahlke •June 28, 20202 min read

I’m here to preach some truth about turkey legs and share a recipe that will make you a believer.

No doubt, legs from a wild turkey are lean, mean machines that are built for running and fighting. But, just like any wild game, making turkey legs suitable for the table all comes down to cooking technique. For tougher cuts of any meat, never forget about using a meat grinder! Hot dogs and other sausages are usually a great fit for “texturally challenged” protein.

This recipe for gobbler corn dogs is doubly awesome because, if you want, you can stop after Part 1. There’s nothing wrong with tossing a gobbler dog onto a bun with some ketchup and mustard. However, I guarantee you won’t regret saving at least a few dogs for a coating of my killer corn dog batter and a quick swim in some peanut oil.    

Part 1: Hot Dogs

  • 3 pounds boneless wild turkey leg meat
  • 2 pounds pork trim/fat
  • Hot dog casings
  • 1 tbsp. salt
  • 1 tbsp. garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp. mustard seeds
  • 1/2 tbsp. ground black pepper
  • 1/2 tbsp. paprika
  • 1/4 tbsp. nutmeg
  • Skewers

Instructions

  1. Cube turkey and pork.
  2. Mix dry seasonings.
  3.  Assemble meat grinder.
  4. Grind cubed turkey and pork together.
  5. Add dry seasoning blend to ground turkey and pork. Mix thoroughly by hand.
  6. Feed hot dog casing onto stuffer attachment of grinder. Tie a knot on the end of the casing.
  7. Stuff hot dog casing with seasoned meat, twisting into hot dogs as you go.
  8. Pre-cook hot dogs as you move onto the next step of making corn dog batter.

Part 2: Corn Dog Batter

  • 1 cup corn meal
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp. baking powder
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 egg
  • 1-1/2 to 2 cups milk
  • 1/2 cup diced sweet corn
  • Peanut oil
  • Corn starch

Instructions

  1. Soak skewers in water for 20+ minutes until saturated.
  2. Dice sweet corn.
  3. Combine corn meal, flour, baking powder, diced sweet corn, and salt. Mix thoroughly.
  4. Whisk egg until liquid and add to batter mix.
  5. Add milk.
  6. Mix batter until smooth.
  7. Pour batter into tall cup.
  8. Insert skewers into pre-cooked hot dogs.
  9. Coat skewered hot dogs in corn starch.
  10. Dip hot dogs in batter and deep fry in peanut oil until golden brown.
  11. Serve with homemade onion rings.

 

Filed Under:
  • Healthy Habitats
  • Healthy Harvests