How to Cook Wild Boar Ribs

By: Caryn Anderson

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You can use wild boar to replace pork in most of your favorite recipes, including delicious, fall-off-the-bone ribs. Boar meat typically has a deeper, redder color and a richer, stronger flavor than that of pork. Because the meat is lean, similar to venison or bison, your best bet is to cook it relatively slowly at lower temperatures to prevent the meat from drying out and becoming tough. Throw your wild boar ribs in a slow cooker or on the grill to cook up a mouthwatering main dish with minimal fuss.

Grilling Wild Boar Ribs

Step 1

Trim any extra fat off the ribs and break them into smaller portions, if necessary, so that they fit into a large pot.

Step 2

Place the ribs in the pot and fill it with enough water to cover the ribs. Bring the pot to a slow boil, turn the heat down and put a lid on it.

Step 3

Simmer the ribs for roughly 25 minutes, until they are tender but the meat isn't falling off the bone. Parboiling the ribs cooks and tenderizes the meat before you throw it on the grill to sear the outside.

Step 4

Turn the grill on, setting the burners to medium, to preheat the grill. Brush the grates if necessary to eliminate any food residue before spraying the grates with cooking spray.

Step 5

Remove the ribs from the pot of water once they're done and the grill is heating up. Season them with salt and pepper or your favorite dry rub before basting them in barbecue sauce.

Step 6

Place the wild boar ribs on the grill and cook them for no more than six minutes, basting and turning them at least once while cooking.

Step 7

Check the meat for doneness by inserting an instant-read thermometer into the meatiest part of one of the ribs, away from the bone. It should read at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

Slow-Cooking Wild Boar Ribs

Step 1

Trim any excess fat from the wild boar ribs and cut them into two- or three-rib portions so that they fit into your slow cooker.

Step 2

Grab a bottle of your favorite pre-made barbecue sauce, or make your own. One sweet and tangy example combines onion, garlic, soy sauce, mustard, maple syrup, honey and beef broth. Put the sauce in the bottom of the slow cooker.

Step 3

Add the ribs to the slow cooker and use tongs to turn the ribs in the sauce until they're fully coated.

Step 4

Place the lid on your slow cooker and cook the ribs for three or four hours on high or seven to nine hours on low. Halfway through the cooking time, give the ribs a stir with a large spoon or rearrange them with your tongs to make sure that they cook evenly.

Step 5

Check for doneness using an instant-read thermometer that you insert in the meatiest part, away from the bone. The ribs are fully cooked once it reads at least 160 F.