Go Back
Boar Backstrap Recipe

Boar Backstrap Recipe

A fast, elegant wild game dinner: tender boar backstrap seared to a deep crust, finished briefly in the oven, and served with a buttery garlic-herb pan sauce. Weeknight-friendly, budget-savvy, and family-approved—ready in about 40 minutes with steak-house flavor and minimal cleanup.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 380

Ingredients
  

  • Marinade & Meat
  • 1 –1.5 lb boar backstrap trimmed of silver skin
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice or red wine vinegar
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp fresh rosemary minced (or ½ tsp dried)
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves or ½ tsp dried
  • Pan & Finish
  • 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup low-sodium stock game, chicken, or beef
  • Optional garnish: chopped parsley lemon zest, flaky salt

Equipment

  • Oven-safe skillet (cast iron preferred)
  • Instant-read thermometer
  • Mixing bowl & whisk
  • Tongs
  • Chef’s knife & cutting board
  • Measuring cups & spoons
  • Aluminum foil (for resting)

Method
 

  1. Prep the backstrap: Trim off any silver skin. Pat dry thoroughly for better browning.
  2. Marinate (20–30 min): In a bowl, whisk olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, Dijon, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, rosemary, and thyme. Coat the backstrap; rest at room temp 20–30 minutes (or refrigerate up to 4 hours, then bring to room temp).
  3. Preheat: Set oven to 400°F (200°C). Place a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until very hot.
  4. Sear: Shake excess marinade from the meat. Add a light film of oil to the hot pan if needed. Sear 2–3 minutes per side until a deep brown crust forms; quickly sear the edges.
  5. Roast: Transfer skillet to oven and roast 5–10 minutes, depending on thickness, until internal temp reaches 140–145°F (60–63°C) for juicy, safe doneness.
  6. Rest & make pan sauce: Move backstrap to a plate; tent loosely with foil. Return skillet to medium heat; add butter and stock, scraping browned bits. Simmer 1–2 minutes. Pour in any resting juices.
  7. Slice & serve: Slice across the grain into ½-inch (1–1.5 cm) medallions. Spoon pan sauce over the top. Garnish with parsley, lemon zest, and a pinch of flaky salt.

Notes

  • Don’t overcook: Boar backstrap is lean; pull at 140–145°F and rest 8–10 minutes.
  • Dry equals crust: Patting the meat dry before searing = better Maillard browning.
  • Flavor swaps: Try a splash of balsamic in the pan sauce; swap rosemary/thyme for sage.
  • Make it a meal: Serve with creamy mashed potatoes or polenta and roasted asparagus.
  • Storage: Refrigerate slices with pan sauce up to 3 days; reheat gently with a splash of stock.
  • Freezing: Best frozen unsliced, tightly wrapped, up to 2 months; thaw overnight, warm at 275°F with a little stock.
  • Boar Backstrap Recipe