Smoked Muskrat

Smoked Muskrat is a traditional North American dish featuring the meat of the muskrat, a semi-aquatic rodent, which is typically brined and then smoked over hardwoods. The preparation often includes a spice rub with ingredients like black pepper, paprika, and garlic, and it's commonly served shredded or sliced. This dish is particularly associated with rural and frontier cooking in the United States, especially in regions with abundant wetlands.

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

Smoked Muskrat is a high-protein, low-carbohydrate food, providing a substantial amount of lean protein and essential minerals. A typical serving contains roughly 200-250 calories, with most energy coming from protein and a moderate amount of fat.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	220 kcal
Protein	28 g
Carbs	0 g
Fat	11 g
Fiber	0 g
Sugar	0 g
Sodium	450 mg
Iron	3.5 mg
Zinc	4.2 mg
Vitamin B12	1.8 mcg
Niacin (B3)	6.5 mg
Phosphorus	280 mg
Selenium	25 mcg
Potassium	320 mg
Vitamin B6	0.5 mg

Per 3 ounces (85 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, smoked muskrat represents a form of historical subsistence and foraging cuisine, utilizing a locally abundant wild game animal. Nutritionally, it's a dense source of iron and B vitamins, similar to other organ meats and wild game.