Pressure cooking is a great way to prepare squirrel meat, as it helps tenderize the tough meat and infuse flavors quickly. If you're wondering how long to pressure cook squirrel, here's a guide to help you achieve the perfect result.

Preparing Squirrel for Pressure Cooking

Before pressure cooking, you should clean and prepare the squirrel. Here's a quick rundown of the preparation process:

1. Skin and Clean: If the squirrel hasn't been skinned yet, carefully remove the fur. Clean the meat by removing the internal organs, and rinse the squirrel under cold water.
2. Cut into Pieces: Squirrel meat is typically cooked in pieces, so cut the squirrel into manageable portions like the legs, back, and ribs for even cooking.
3. Seasoning: Season the meat according to your preference. A simple rub of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and other spices works well, or you can marinate it for extra flavor.

Pressure Cooking Time for Squirrel

The cooking time for squirrel in a pressure cooker will vary based on the size and type of pressure cooker you're using. Here are general guidelines for how long to pressure cook squirrel:

1. Whole Squirrel: If you're cooking a whole squirrel, it will generally take 25-30 minutes at high pressure. This allows the meat to become tender while maintaining its flavor.
2. Squirrel Pieces (Legs, Back, and Ribs): For smaller cuts like legs or back pieces, the cooking time is shorter. You can expect these pieces to cook in about 20-25 minutes at high pressure. If you're cooking the ribs, they might need a little longer—up to 30 minutes.
3. Frozen Squirrel: If you're using frozen squirrel, it's best to add an extra 5 minutes to the cooking time. Frozen squirrel will typically take about 30-35 minutes.

Cooking Tips for Tender Squirrel Meat

• Natural Pressure Release: After cooking, allow the pressure cooker to release the pressure naturally for at least 10 minutes. This ensures that the squirrel meat stays moist and tender.
• Check for Tenderness: Once the cooking time is up, check the meat for tenderness. If it isn’t as tender as you'd like, you can pressure cook it for an additional 5-10 minutes.
• Resting Time: After cooking, let the squirrel rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.

Conclusion: How Long to Pressure Cook Squirrel

To cook squirrel in a pressure cooker, you typically need to cook it for 20-30 minutes, depending on the size of the pieces and whether it's whole or in smaller parts. The pressure cooker method is an excellent way to quickly achieve tender and flavorful squirrel meat, making it an easy and effective cooking method for this wild game.