What Does Turtle Taste Like? Is Turtle Meat Yummy?


The first thing that pops into your mind when you think of turtles probably isn’t what they taste like! However, as we eat crabs, lobsters, and other seafood, it is natural to be a little curious. In this article, we are going to break down if it is safe to eat turtles and what turtle meat tastes like!

Is Turtle Meat Edible?

Turtle meat is not only edible but is widely eaten in some places and considered a delicacy in Asia. Both the flesh and eggs are edible! Turtle meat is like a blend of fish and chicken and is most similar to gator or crocodile.

While turtle meat is edible, it is not without risks! In 2018, 8 children died in Madagascar after eating sea turtles. Every year people in Madagascar die from eating contaminated sea turtles. Sea turtles can be poisonous because they consume toxic algae. This algae infects the meat and will make humans sick, and can cause death even if the turtle meat is properly cooked. The scary thing is the turtle shows no sign of being ill! This poisoning is known as Chelonitoxism and is luckily rare.

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What Does Turtle Taste Like?

Turtle meat tastes like chicken thighs mixed with pork combined with shrimp and clams. It is more meaty than fishy and even tastes a bit beefy. It has a mild flavor and is similar to crocodile or alligator but more beefy!

Turtle meat is mild yet succulent. It is soft and tender and does not have a strong fishy taste. Turtle meat tastes like a mix of pork, chicken, shrimp, and clams. By itself, it is not the most flavorful, but when fried and combined with a nice tartar sauce and some fresh lemon juice, it is incredible!

Does turtle taste good? Turtle meat has a unique yummy flavor which is a little like chicken and pork mixed with shrimp and some hints of crab and even beef. Turtle is not only tasty, but it is super nutritious. A single serving contains 33 grams of protein and 0 grams of carbs! 

As soon as you tuck into some lovely fresh turtle meat, your tastebuds will be slightly confused. Where is the fishy flavor? Turtle is much meatier than you will expect and tastes more like beef than salmon. Turtle meat has a pork and chicken esque flavor with some crab and shrimp notes. The closest meat to turtle is alligator!

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What does turtle soup taste like? The turtle meat in turtle soup tastes similar to chicken thigh mixed with crab. It also tastes like gator with a hint of clam. Turtle broth is herby, slightly bitter, spicy, and tastes like herbal wine.

Turtle soup has a spicy and herbal broth which is a bit like Chinese wine. The turtle meat is very soft and almost jelly-like. The turtle meat will melt in your mouth and tastes similar to gator with chicken, pork, and clam-like flavor. The turtle and broth combine to produce an incredibly tasty dish!

What does a snapping turtle taste like? Snapping turtle tastes like a mixture of chicken thighs, shrimp, pork, and clams. It is similar to gator but has a stronger, meatier flavor and a distinct taste. Spanning turtle does not have an intense fishy flavor and is much meatier than people expect.

Snapping turtle tastes more meaty than fishy. However, you will detect flavors similar to shrimp, crab, and clam. Snapping turtle tastes quite a bit like chicken thighs and pork with some beefy notes. It will remind you of a crocodile or alligator.

How To Eat Turtle?

Turtle meat should be boiled or fried and then added to soup or casseroles. You can cook it over hot coals with the shell still on! You can even turn it into schnitzel by pounding the meat, dusting it with breadcrumbs, and frying it. Turtle meat is very versatile!

There are hundreds of different ways to cook turtle meat. You can turn it into sausages that taste similar to crocodile sausages. You can hammer the meat into a thin filet, bread it and fry it. You can boil it with the shell on or remove the shell and cut it into pieces. You can cook turtle meat on a BBQ outside or on a fire pit.

What does turtle go with? Fried turtle meat with some tartar sauce, a drizzle of fresh lemon, a bit of pepper, and french fries is heaven. You can also boil turtle meat and place it in soup with noodles!

Our favorite way to eat turtle meat is to cut it into small pieces and fry it. It has a lovely crispy texture with a fishy beefy taste. To give it some extra flavor, we recommend serving it with a side of tartar sauce, chili, lemon juice, and a big plate of fries!

Is Turtle Meat Healthy?

Turtle meat is incredibly healthy as it is high in protein and low in fat and carbs. 128 grams of turtle contains 220 calories, 33 grams of protein, 9 grams of fat, and 0 grams of carbs. Turtle meat is also rich in nutrients, including B12, iron, potassium, thiamine, and zinc.

Turtle meat is a great protein if you are looking to pack on muscle or drop weight. Turtle meat is low in calories, carbs, and fat but super high in protein. It is also rich in a wide range of micronutrients. A single serving of turtle meat contains 33 grams of protein, just 220 calories, and 9 grams of fat. When you eat turtle meat, you also receive a bunch of vital micronutrients, including Vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, riboflavin, phosphorus, and zinc.

Final Thoughts

Turtle meat is safe to eat and is packed full of nutrients. Turtle meat is an awesome protein source, with just 1 serving containing 33 grams. It is also a rich source of micronutrients, including Vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, riboflavin, phosphorus, and zinc. Turtle has a unique taste and will remind you of a mix of chicken, pork, clams, and shrimps. It is surprisingly not very fishy. Turtle meat tastes most similar to an alligator but with some additional beefy flavors. The best way to enjoy turtle is cut into small pieces, fried, and served with fresh lemon juice, tartar sauce, and french fries!

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Turtle Meat Taste FAQ

What does turtle meat taste like?

Turtle meat tastes like a combination of fish and pork. It does not have a strong flavor but is more flavorful than chicken. Turtle meat tastes most similar to crocodile or alligator.

How much does turtle meat cost?

Turtle meat is expensive! 1 pound of boneless turtle meat will cost you $40. 1 pound of turtle meat with bones costs $35. 1 pound of turtle sausages costs $20, and 12 turtle eggs cost $60.

Is it legal to eat turtle meat?

It is illegal to eat sea turtles and all native species. However, in the US, you can eat invasive turtle species, including snapping, terrapin, red-eared sliders, and soft-shelled pond turtles.

Is turtle meat healthy?

Turtle meat is healthy! It is very low in fat and carbs with a good serving of protein. Turtle meat is also rich in micronutrients such as selenium, B12, iron, potassium, thiamine, and zinc.

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