Bacon-Wrapped Dove Breasts
A classic hunter’s appetizer, these dove breasts get a sweet marinade in full-sugar soda before being wrapped in bacon and grilled to smoky, crispy perfection.
Ingredients
- Wild dove breast meat, filleted, rinsed, and patted dry
- Bacon (standard, thin cut), cut into 3-4 inch segments
- Full-sugar, dark soda (e.g., Dr Pepper, Cherry Coke) – not diet or sugar-free
- Toothpicks, soaked in water
Instructions
- Fillet the breast meat from each dove, making sure no shot or feathers remain.
- Place the breasts in a shallow glass dish and submerge completely in full-sugar soda.
- Cover and refrigerate to marinate for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight (up to 24 hours).
- Drain and discard the marinade from the breasts.
- Cut bacon strips into thirds (about 3-4 inch segments).
- Wrap each dove breast tightly in a bacon segment and secure with a water-soaked toothpick.
- Preheat grill to medium indirect heat.
- Place the wrapped breasts over medium-indirect heat and grill, watching for flare-ups from rendering bacon.
- Use long-handled tongs to rotate the wraps once or twice so the bacon cooks evenly on all sides.
- Cook until bacon reaches your preferred crispiness, about 10 minutes, then remove immediately from the grill.
- Serve hot off the grate.
Cook’s Notes
The soda marinade is key: its acidity and sugar tenderize the dark, fibrous dove meat while adding a sweetness that complements the bacon. Watch the grill closely since flare-ups from bacon fat are common and the small dove breasts cook quickly.
Ingredient Swaps
This same soda-marinade and bacon-wrap method works well with other dark-fleshed game birds like teal. Any full-sugar dark soda can be used interchangeably, but avoid diet or sugar-free versions since the sugar content is essential to the recipe.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these hot straight off the grill as a bite-sized appetizer, or pair them with a fresh salad and wild rice for a heartier main course.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or oven to help the bacon re-crisp without drying out the meat.
Common Questions
Why use regular soda instead of diet soda in the marinade?
The sugar in full-sugar soda is essential for tenderizing the meat and adding sweetness that pairs with the bacon; diet versions lack the sugar content needed for this effect.
Can I make this with other game birds besides dove?
Yes, this marinade and bacon-wrap method also works well with teal or other dark-fleshed game birds.
How do I keep the bacon from flaring up and burning on the grill?
Cook over medium-indirect heat and keep long-handled tongs nearby to rotate the wraps as needed, watching closely since rendering bacon fat can cause flare-ups.