25 Best Dove Recipes

If you’re a wild game hunter, chances are you’ve returned from a successful hunting trip with a prized catch of dove meat. Now comes the exciting part – turning that tender, lean meat into enticing culinary creations.

With its subtle and sweet taste and minimal fat content, dove meat is a perfect alternative to chicken with its high protein content and abundant Vitamin B6.

So, without further ado, let’s discover the “25 Best Dove Recipes” that showcase dove meat versatility in ways you might never have imagined.

1. Grilled Doves A La Mancha

Sink your teeth into tender, juicy doves stuffed with aromatic sage and bay leaves. Fire the grill, place the birds on it, and brush them with bacon fat. Season with smoked Spanish paprika and black pepper, and cook until you achieve a deep sear on both sides. This grilled doves A LA MANCHA pair well with a simple tomato salad for a Spanish-style grilled dove dinner.

2. Butter Seared Dove Breast With Garlic & Fresh Herbs

Unlock a world of flavor as you savor every succulent bite of these dove breasts infused with garlic aromatics and the elegance of fresh thyme. They are pan-seared to perfection in olive oil and 2 tablespoons of salted butter and elevated by a secret seasoning mix. A crispy, golden garlic topping alongside a generous drizzle of pan butter brings everything together, creating a quick, easy, yet restaurant-worthy meal.

3. Cajun Grilled Doves

Crafted for those who admire bold flavors, these Cajun Grilled Doves offer a remarkable fusion of smoky and fiery notes. Make a dry rub of Cajun or Creole spices and marinate the dove meat overnight (for the best flavor). The magic unfolds in grilling, transforming the dove meat into a game-day-worthy appetizer with a caramelized exterior.

4. Grilled Dove Poppers

Picture the sizzle, the scent, and the satisfaction of presenting these Grilled Dove Poppers to your eager guests. It all starts with thinly sliced bacon, lovingly enveloping seasoned dove meat. Encased within is a fiery kick of jalapeno that mingles in harmony with cream cheese. And let’s not forget the onion slice that adds crunch to every bite. With a toothpick securing each roll, you’ve ensured a seamless grilling experience.

5. Simple Grilled Doves

When it comes to dove meat, there’s nothing wrong with keeping things simple, and these Grilled Doves prove it. Pluck and gut the birds, coat them in olive oil, and season them with a basic salt and fresh ground black pepper seasoning. Place them on a hot grill and cook for approximately 5 minutes on each side. For a well-rounded meal, serve with fresh greens or a hearty rice bowl.

6. Dove Nuggets

These Dove nuggets promise a crispy exterior and tender, melt-in-the-mouth dove meat on the inside. Infused with Creole seasoning and coated with breadcrumbs, these nuggets showcase the versatility of dove meat. Pair them with your favorite dipping sauce, or create a refreshing ensemble by serving them with a vibrant summer salad.

7. Grilled Doves With Blueberry BBQ Sauce

Elevate your summer cookouts with grilled doves and impress your guests with a visually stunning finger snack. The delectable blueberry sauce takes center stage, infusing the dove meat with sweetness, tanginess, and a hint of earthiness from the minced fresh rosemary. The deep purple hue of the sauce contrasts beautifully with the golden-brown grill marks on the doves, making these grilled doves a feast for the eyes and the palate. Enjoy with your favorite veggies and carbs for a wholesome and delicious meal!

8. Smoked Doves With Maple Glaze

Master the art of dove cooking with this Smoked Doves recipe. The sweet and smoky combo is achieved by marinating whole doves in maple syrup, white soy sauce, and a tangy orange juice marinade. This also serves as a glaze for basting dove meat while cooking. Let the smoker do its magic, infusing a tantalizing smokiness that perfectly complements the rich glaze. Serve with leftover savory glaze and a refreshing salad.

9. Soy & Lime Roasted Dove

This soy & lime roasted dove recipe calls for marinating the doves in soy sauce, freshly squeezed lime juice and zest, aji Amarillo, and honey infusing it with flavors. Roasted to crispy perfection, this dove recipe is a delight for anyone seeking a blend of sweet and savory flavors. Serve it with a lemon-dressed tomato and red onion salad.

10. Sliced Dove Breasts on Cornbread Crostini with Green Tomato Marmalade

These pan-seared Dove Breasts are presented on a canvas of homemade Cornbread Triangles and adorned with Green Tomato Marmalade. This visually stunning finger snack is pleasing to the eyes and palate. A perfect standalone dove meat recipe that’s even better without any sides.

11. Flaky Cheese and Pepper Dove Rolls

Picture this: tender dove meat harmoniously mingles with melty cheese, punctuated by chili garlic sauce. You’ll love this unexpected blend of Pillsbury crescent rolls with dove meat. But that’s not all—the unexpected twist of pineapple offers a burst of tropical sweetness that dances on your palate. The initial kick of spiciness, followed by the comforting embrace of cheese and then the surge of sweet pineapple, make each morsel of this finger food an unforgettable experience.

12. Dove Breasts with Radish Chimichurri

Succulent dove breasts are seared to perfection and served alongside a vibrant and zesty radish chimichurri sauce. Crafted by blending fresh parsley, cilantro, red onions, radishes, jalapeños, lemon juice, and olive oil, this homemade Radish Chimichurri sauce is packed with tons of herbaceous flavors. Whether it’s a cozy dinner for two or a lavish gathering with friends and family, our Seared Dove Breasts with Chimichurri Sauce will be the highlight of the occasion.

13. Chicken Fried Dove Breast

These fried dove breasts will make you forget fried chicken with their perfectly crispy exterior that leads to melt-in-your-mouth meat inside. The secret to perfectly crispy golden brown dove bites is double dredging the meat in a seasoned all-purpose flour and egg mixture before frying. To complement this fried delicacy, a fresh and crisp salad would be an ideal choice.

14. Sweet and Spicy Grilled Dove Breasts

Unleash the full potential of dove meat by slathering it with a luscious glaze made up of hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, zesty ginger, aromatic garlic, sesame oil and 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes. Fire up the grill, watch succulent dove breasts sizzle, and transform into a vibrant game meal. As the flames kiss the meat, the glaze caramelizes, locking in the juiciness of the dove breasts.

15. Crispy, Crunchy Cream Cheese & Dove Wontons

Delicately wrapped and skillfully fried to perfection over medium heat, these dove wantons emerge as crispy parcels of pure bliss. The inviting golden-brown hue promises a delectable crunch while the cream cheese and dove breast filling melts in your mouth. And what’s a culinary masterpiece without a dipping sauce?

16. Doves With Prickly Pear BBQ Sauce

Imagine plump, succulent doves bathed in glossy Prickly Pear Barbecue Sauce. This delicious sauce blends onions, chiltepin chiles, tequila’s warmth, and the sweetness of prickly pear and agave syrups. When whole doves are grilled, their tender flesh absorbs the sauce, while the skin becomes a compelling, caramelized mosaic of taste. No one stopping you from eating a whole batch by yourself.

17. Smoked Doves

This Smoked Doves recipe beautifully marries dove meat tenderness with the complexity of guajillo peppers. The secret to its mouthwatering flavor lies in the brine the doves soak before being smoked over low heat. To take the flavor up a notch, the doves are coated in a homemade guajillo sauce that bursts with flavor. The combination of smoky meat and spicy sauce creates a taste that is out of the world delicious.

18. Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Dove Poppers

Picture succulent dove breasts, Hatch chilies, and fiery jalapenos encased in savory bacon, taking a creative twist on Grilled Dove Poppers. But what sets these poppers apart from their traditional counterparts is the addition of a roasted, mashed garlic paste. Grilled to perfection, these poppers will make you lick your fingers even after munching on a whole batch.

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19. Pan Fried Dove Appetizer

Whether you want an irresistible appetizer or a delectable side dish, these pan-fried dove breasts never fail to impress. Tender dove meat dips in a delightful blend of buttermilk and seasoned flour and enhanced with paprika, salt, and pepper. As the seasoned meat sizzles in the pan, a mesmerizing transformation unfolds. The moment it reaches its golden-brown hue, you know it’s time to relish every bite with a dipping sauce.

20. Dove Breast Jagerschnitzel

Picture this: thin, succulent dove cutlets smothered in mushroom gravy. Seasoned with a basic salt and pepper seasoning, these cutlets will leave your taste buds dancing. A finishing touch freshly chopped parsley elevates the presentation and infuses vibrant flavor. Whether you enjoy this Dove Schnitzel with velvety mashed potatoes or homemade bread, you’re in for an extraordinary dining experience.

21. Dove Teriyaki

With this Grilled Dove Teriyaki, appreciate the diverse Japanese cuisine right at your dinner table. This culinary masterpiece revolves around teriyaki sauce that blends sake, mirin, soy sauce, and sugar. A generous amount of the sauce is applied to the dove meat before it is grilled until it is nicely done. As a finishing touch, sprinkle a few sesame seeds on top just before you serve it!

22. Southern Tomato Gravy

Southern tomato gravy is a gem of Southern cuisine. It combines velvety tomato gravy, sweetened with maple syrup, with crispy and succulent fried dove breasts. The gravy texture is slightly thicker than Thanksgiving gravy, giving it a satisfying and hearty feel. Customize it with your favorite variations and pair it with creamy grits or flaky biscuits for the ultimate Southern comfort meal.

23. Barbecued Doves

Indulge in a tantalizing culinary adventure with our Barbecued Doves featuring Korean BBQ sauce. This recipe promises succulent doves painted with a Korean gochujang Chile paste, fish sauce, sesame oil, and more. Slow-cooked on a smoky grill, these doves become tender and packed with flavor. Elevate your outdoor cooking game and explore the exciting world of fusion flavors with this delicious dish.

24. Deep Fried Doves

To make this Deep-Fried Whole Doves recipe, succulent dove meat is coated in crispy breading and fried to golden-brown perfection over medium-high heat. You can choose between two distinct flavor profiles: the zesty Cajun and aromatic Middle Eastern. The Cajun seasoning infuses the doves with Southern flair, while the Middle Eastern blend offers a blend of earthy and aromatic spices.

25. Cornbread Casserole Recipe with Doves

This hearty casserole combines dove tenderness with the rustic charm of cornbread. Gently layer the stuffing mixture in a casserole, nestle the dove breasts within, and crown your creation with the remaining stuffing. An enticing aroma envelops your kitchen as you bake this casserole, drawing loved ones to gather around in anticipation. Whether shared with family or showcased at a gathering, our Cornbread Casserole with Doves is your gateway to creating cherished moments.