Pheasant

Herb-Roasted Wild Pheasant with Root Vegetables

Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
1 hour 15 minutes
Servings
4

Ingredients

  • 2 whole pheasants (2-3 lbs each)
  • 6 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 3 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 carrots, cut into chunks
  • 3 parsnips, cut into chunks
  • 2 onions, quartered
  • 1 lb fingerling potatoes
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 375°F. Pat pheasants dry inside and out with paper towels.

  2. 2

    Mix softened butter with thyme, rosemary, and garlic. Season generously with salt and pepper.

  3. 3

    Carefully loosen skin from breast meat and rub herb butter under the skin. Rub remaining butter over outside of birds.

  4. 4

    Toss vegetables with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Arrange in large roasting pan.

  5. 5

    Place pheasants on top of vegetables. Pour chicken stock into bottom of pan.

  6. 6

    Roast for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, basting every 20 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 165°F.

  7. 7

    Let rest 10 minutes before carving. Serve with roasted vegetables and pan juices.

About Pheasant

Pheasant has delicate, mild-flavored meat that's leaner than chicken. The breast meat is white while the legs are darker and more flavorful.