Last autumn I brought my seven-year-old daughter along on her first women’s group hunt. It was a guided hunt for Canadian geese. We were up long before dawn settling in and waiting for the flocks to arrive. They did, and shot after shot we dropped those birds to the ground. She excitedly helped us gather the downed birds.
We brought some goose meat home and put it in the freezer. Wild goose has lots of possibilities. It has a rich flavor profile and a sometimes tough texture.
Slow cooking is one of the best ways to turn a wild goose into a tender, flavorful meal. Goose is naturally lean and can become tough if cooked too quickly, but a long simmer in the crockpot breaks down the meat beautifully and allows the flavor to develop alongside simple vegetables and herbs. Plus letting the meat soften for hours in the broth is easy. You just add it to the crockpot, turn the dial up, and let it go.
This wild goose soup recipe is a simple adaptation of homemade chicken soup, but with a deeper flavor, because of it being wild game.
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Wild Goose Soup Ingredients
- 2–3 pounds wild goose breast
- 6 cups broth (beef, chicken, or game stock)
- 1 cup baby carrots or sliced carrots
- 2 cups chopped small red potatoes
- 2 cups medium egg noodles
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Goose
Trim any excess fat or silver skin from the goose meat. Season lightly with salt and pepper. - Start the Crockpot
Place the goose meat in the crockpot and pour the broth over it. Add the garlic. - Cook the Goose First
Cover and cook on high for 3 hours to allow the meat to begin tenderizing. - Add the Vegetables
After the goose has cooked for three hours, add the carrots, potatoes, onion, and celery to the crockpot. Stir gently so the vegetables settle into the broth. - Continue Cooking
Cover and continue cooking on low for another 3–4 hours, or until the goose is fork-tender and the vegetables are soft. Add egg noodles when there is a half hour to 45 minutes of cooking time left. - Finish with Fresh Herbs
Just before serving, stir in the fresh chopped parsley. This brightens the flavor and adds a touch of freshness to the dish.
What Does Wild Goose Taste Like?
Wild goose is often described as tasting rich, savory, and sometimes gamey. Wild goose tastes different than raised or farmed goose. While domesticated goose meat often has a high fat content, wild goose is much leaner. Think about how much flying they do. Because of that, their muscles are more developed, which contributes to a firmer texture.
Wild goose is sometimes described as somewhere between duck and beef. It definitely tastes earthy.
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Serving & Freezing
Serve the soup hot in bowls with crusty bread. The slow-cooked goose becomes rich and tender, while the vegetables soak up the savory broth for a simple, hearty wild game meal. This recipe freezes well and can be made in big batches.
