Recipe: Black Bear Burger with Blueberry BBQ Sauce

This recipe was first featured on our brand partner's website—Harvesting Nature. Justin, Kory and the rest of their team harvest their own meat, tests their own recipes, refine, and test again. They've partnered with us because they're excited to have a hunting app that's all about conservation and sharing wild game recipes. For more gourmet recipes, check out the Harvesting Nature recipe page. 

Justin Townsend is the Editor in Chief at Harvesting Nature, and a very respected hunter and chef. Last year when Justin was out for a black bear hunt in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California, his team pulled out this recipe to celebrate the pursuit. 

If you're familiar with Steve Rinella's opinion on hunting bears, you know that blueberries and black bears go very well together. Steve says that the tastiest bear meat you can find is a bear that's been munching on berries. For that reason, we think this recipe is a perfect combo. And if we're lucky with Kentucky's black bear season this year, we'll find out for ourselves. 

NOTE: You must cook the bear all the way through. It's common for bears to have trichinosis which humans can catch if the meat is not cooked about 160 degrees

Blueberry BBQ Sauce

Ingredients

• 2 Cups fresh blue berries
• 3 Garlic cloves, minced
• ½ Cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 Tbs sugar
• 3 Tbsp ketchup
• ½ Teaspoon salt
• ½ Teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ Teaspoon cayenne pepper

Preparation

1. Bring a medium sauce pan to high heat
2. Add all the ingredients and simmer for 10-15 minutes until thick
3. Remove from pan and allow to cool
4. Place the mixture in a blender or food processor and puree
5. Store the BBQ sauce in a glass container until ready to use

Black Bear Burger

Ingredients

• 1 Lbs ground bear meat
• 2 Tbsp minced scallions
• ½ Cup bread crumbs
• 1 Egg, whisked
• 1 Tsp garlic powder
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Preparation

1. Mix all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl
2. Press or form the meat into thin patties
3. Grill, bake or pan cook until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees
4. Serve with the Blueberry BBQ Sauce