Most people would consider the idea of eating raccoon unappealing, but it’s actually more common than you might think. People have been successfully eating raccoons for centuries, and many still do.
Yes, eating raccoon is safe, for the most part. In fact, raccoon as table fare was once extremely popular.
Although eating raccoons is less popular today than it was years ago, it wasn’t all that long ago that hunting raccoons was just as popular as hunting squirrels or ducks.
Raccoons are known to carry rabies, raccoon roundworms, leptospirosis, giardiasis, and salmonellosis. Therefore, when dressing and skinning a raccoon, it’s always a good idea to wear gloves to prevent any transmission of these diseases.
Additionally, using proper cooking techniques and ensuring the internal temperature of your meat reaches at least 165 degrees is sufficient to kill any life-threatening organism, such as giardiasis or rabies.
Yes, raccoon meat is really good for you! Its calorie-to-protein ratio is excellent. One three-ounce serving size of raccoon provides 216 calories, 12 grams of fat, and almost 25 grams of protein.
What it lacks in calories, it makes up for in vitamins and minerals. When cooked safely and correctly, it makes a healthy and nutritious meal, despite any naysayers.