How to Cook Turtle

Last Updated: April 9, 2023

Turtle meat is an interesting food that many people have yet to try. When you use this meat in recipes, always tenderize it first by boiling it with vinegar. Cooking fried turtle is a delicious way to prepare this meat, particularly for those who haven't tried it before. Turtle soup is another classic dish that combines a variety of flavors with turtle meat for a unique taste experience.

Ingredients

Fried Turtle Meat

1 egg
2 tablespoons (30 ml) of water
{convert|1.5|cup|ml}} of flour
0.5 cups (120 ml) of corn meal
2 tablespoons (1.0 fl oz) of cajun seasoning mix
Large pot
Vegetable or peanut oil
Metal tongs
Paper towels

Serves 3-4 people

Turtle Soup

1.5 pounds (24 oz) of turtle meat
4.5 cups (1.1 l) of water
Heavy 16 cups (3.8 l) saucepan
2 onions
Large spoon
.25 teaspoons (0.042 fl oz) of cayenne pepper
1.25 teaspoons (0.208 fl oz) salt
5 tablespoons (2.5 fl oz) of cubed butter
0.33 cups (78 ml) of flour
Wooden spoon
5 tablespoons (74 ml) of tomato puree
5 tablespoons (74 ml) Worcestershire sauce
0.33 cups (78 ml) chicken broth
0.25 cups (59 ml)of lemon juice
2 chopped hard-boiled eggs (optional)
Parsley (optional)

Serves 4-6 people

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Tenderizing Turtle Meat

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1
Bring water and vinegar to boil in a large, sturdy pot. Pour 8 cups (1.9 l) of water into a heavy pot. Add 0.5 cups (120 ml) of white vinegar. Place the pot on the stove and bring the liquid to a boil. ^{[1]
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- The vinegar will help to tenderize the tough turtle meat, making it easier to cook.
- You should do this to turtle meat before including it in any recipes.
Carefully place large pieces in turtle meat into the pot using metal tongs. Make sure that all of the meat is submerged in the boiling water and vinegar. Once all of the pieces are in the pot, reduce the heat on the stove burner to a simmer. ^{[2]
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3
Let the meat simmer for 60 minutes to soften it. Place a lid on the pot. Allow the meat to simmer for an hour. This should be enough time to tenderize the meat without making it soggy or water-logged. ^{[3]
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- Set a timer for 60 minutes so you don't let the meat simmer for too long.
After 60 minutes, turn off the stove burner. Using metal tongs, remove each piece of turtle meat and place them all on a large plate. Allow them to cool for 5-10 minutes. ^{[4]
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Most turtle meat recipes will require you to de-bone the meat. After the boiled meat cools, use your fingers to gently pull the meat away from the bones. Discard the bones and separate the dark and white meat if you wish. ^{[5]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Making Fried Turtle Meat

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1
Make an egg wash with 1 egg and 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of water. Crack an egg into a small bowl. Pour 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of water into the bowl. Use a fork to stir the mixture rapidly for 1 minute to make an egg wash. ^{[6]
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- Set the bowl aside to use the mixture after a few more steps.
2
Mix together a coating mix for your turtle meat. In another small bowl, pour 1.5 cups (350 ml) of flour and 0.5 cups (120 ml) of corn meal. Add 2 tablespoons (1.0 fl oz) of cajun seasoning mix. Stir the mixture together with a fork. ^{[7]
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- Place this mixture next to the egg wash to coat your meat.
In a heavy cooking pot, pour oil to about 5 inches (13 cm) high or more, depending on the quantity of meat you have. Use vegetable or peanut oil for the best results. Place the pot on the stove and heat it to about 350 degrees. ^{[8]
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4
Dip the meat in the egg wash and then the coating mix until it is covered. Pick up each piece of turtle meat and gently dip it in the egg wash until it is coated. Immediately after, dip it into the dry coating mix. Coat the entire surface of each piece of meat. ^{[9]
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- To ensure that the coating doesn't fall off while cooking it, let the raw, coated turtle meat sit for 5 minutes so the mixture binds to the meat.
5
Cook the turtle meat in the oil for about 5 minutes until it floats. Drop the pieces of meat into the hot oil. Leave them for around 5 minutes. When they float to the top, remove them using metal tongs. ^{[10]
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- Place fried turtle meat on a layer of paper towels to cool, then serve it with a side dish of your choice.
- Be very careful while cooking to avoid getting splashed with hot oil.
6
Store fried turtle in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months. Put fried turtle meat in the fridge no later than 2 hours after it is served to store it without the risk of bacteria. Place it in an airtight container and refrigerate it for no longer than 4 days, when it should be throw away. To keep fried turtle for up to 4 months, place it in a freezer-safe zip lock bag or container and put it in the freezer. ^{[11]
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- Note that fried foods are best when eaten right away and will not taste as good when reheated.
- Reheat fried turtle in the over rather than the microwave, which will leave it soggy.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Making Turtle Soup

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1
Bring 1.5 pounds (24 oz) of meat and 4.5 cups (1.1 l) of water to a boil. Pour 4.5 cups (1.1 l) of water into a heavy 16 cups (3.8 l) saucepan. Add all of your turtle meat to the pan. Bring the water to a boil. ^{[12]
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- If foam develops while boiling, skim it off with a large spoon.
- After the water has reached a boil, reduce the heat.
2
Add 1 onion, 1 bay leaf, cayenne pepper and salt to the saucepan for flavor. Quart 1 onion and put it into the saucepan. Drop one large bay leaf into the saucepan as well. Add .25 teaspoons (0.042 fl oz) of cayenne pepper and 1.25 teaspoons (0.208 fl oz) of salt. ^{[13]
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- You can substitute or omit these ingredients if you wish to achieve a different flavor.
3
Cover the saucepan and let the mixture simmer for 2 hours. Place a lid over the saucepan. Set the burner to a very low temperature. Set a timer for 2 hours and leave the mixture there to simmer. ^{[14]
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- Simmering this mixture will make a rich turtle broth for your soup.
4
Remove the meat and strain the broth. Use metal tongs to take out the large pieces of turtle. Set them aside on a plate. Use a large sieve to strain the broth to remove the bay leaf, onion, and any remaining pieces of turtle meat. ^{[15]
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- Strain the broth into another large pot or bowl.
5
Melt 5 tablespoons (2.5 fl oz) of butter in the large saucepan. Place 5 tablespoons (2.5 fl oz) of cubed butter into your saucepan. Set your stove burner to medium heat. Gently stir the butter with a wooden spoon until it is melted entirely. ^{[16]
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- Wash and dry your saucepan before starting this step, or use another clean 16 cups (3.8 l) saucepan.
6
Add 1 diced onion and 0.33 cups (78 ml) of flour to the melted butter. Chop 1 whole onion and drop it into the melted butter. Cook it for 2-3 minutes until it is tender. Add 0.33 cups (78 ml) flour to the saucepan and stir it gently until it is bubbly and lightly browned. ^{[17]
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- Keep stirring the mixture to break up any clumps of flour.
7
Pour in the turtle broth and whisk the soup until it thickens. Carefully add all of the strained turtle broth to your saucepan. Use a whisk to stir the mixture. Do this for several minutes over medium heat until your soup developed a denser consistency. ^{[18]
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- After the soup thickens, reduce the heat to a simmer.
8
Add 5 tablespoons (74 ml) each of tomato puree and Worcestershire sauce. Spoon in tomato puree and stir the soup with a wooden spoon. Pour in Worcestershire sauce and continue stirring for 1 minute. Simmer the soup for 10 minutes. ^{[19]
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- Do not cover the soup while simmering it.
While your soup simmers, cut the turtle meat you removed from the broth into small pieces. Aim to make cubes of meat that measure about 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) each. Add all of the meat to the soup once it has simmered for 10 minutes. ^{[20]
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Add 0.33 cups (78 ml) of broth and 0.25 cups (59 ml) of lemon juice. For a final flavor boost, pour in chicken broth and lemon juice and stir the soup. Let the soup simmer for 5 minutes so these ingredients can heat. Serve with a garnish of fresh parsley if desired. ^{[21]
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- If desired, you can also add 2 chopped hard-boiled eggs to the soup as a traditional garnish.
11
Store turtle soup in the freezer for up to a month or refrigerate it for 3 days. Leftover turtle soup can be kept in the fridge in an airtight container for 1-3 days, but should be discarded after that. To keep the soup for up to a month, carefully pour it into a sturdy, freezer-safe zip lock bag and lay it flat in your freezer. Label the bag or container to keep track of when to dispose of the soup. ^{[22]
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- Allow the soup to cool before freezing or refrigerating it.
- Reheat refrigerated soup over the stove at a medium-low heat, or in the microwave.
- Defrost frozen soup by placing it in the refrigerator overnight to thaw.