To some, the idea of eating the flesh of a snake is understandably a bit irksome at first, much less a venomous rattlesnake! However, this unorthodox food is actually on the rise in popularity as of late, for many great reasons, such as its high protein and low-fat contents. Don’t knock it until you try it–below, we’ll take a look at five surprisingly great reasons why rattlesnake meat is all the rage and why you should consider adding it to your diet!
1. Rattlesnake Meat is High in Protein
The timber rattlesnake, Crotalus horridus, is a popular choice among hunters who commonly fry the meat and use it for dishes like burgers or tacos.
©iStock.com/NajaShots
Perhaps the best reason why rattlesnake meat is so popular as of late is its high protein content. After all, our bodies need plenty of protein to build muscle, maintain bone strength, fuel hormone production, and even produce energy. In just one serving of rattlesnake meat (approximately 100 grams), there are around 15 to 25 grams of protein!
Although snake meat seems like a relatively new culinary trend, it’s been a prominent food source in many cultures for thousands of years. Snake soup, for instance, has been a delicacy in Chinese culture since at least before the Qing dynasty.
In part thanks to its high protein content, the dish was believed to have various medicinal benefits. Many ancient Chinese people ate snake soup because they believed it could heal illnesses, improve the quality of one’s skin, and, of course, boost energy. It was also viewed as a rather high-society meal, as it historically involved many ingredients and was time-consuming to prepare. The dish remains quite popular in China today.
Fortunately, you don’t necessarily have to prepare rattlesnake meat quite as painstakingly as ancient Chinese folks did to enjoy its health benefits. The meat’s versatility, as we’ll touch on below, means you can use it for all kinds of dishes and get a healthy protein and energy boost no matter how you prepare or flavor it!
2. Rattlesnake Meat is Low in Fat and Calories
Rattlesnake meat is quite low in fat and calories, as snakes’ bodies are very lean yet muscular.
©iStock.com/tamjai9
Another great benefit of eating rattlesnake meat is it is fairly low in fat and calories, meaning you can eat your fill without worrying too much about your diet. Depending on the type of rattlesnake you’re eating and how you prepare it, a serving (around 100 grams) usually contains somewhere between 90 and 150 calories.
Combined with its high protein content, this makes rattlesnake meat a filling, nutritious, and calorie-conscious food choice. Of course, you’ll need to also account for any flavorings, seasoning, sauce, or side dishes you add to the dish, but you have a lot of room to experiment and still enjoy a healthy meal!
Like most snakes in general, rattlesnakes are quite lean yet muscular, with not much fat on their bodies. As a result, their meat is also very lean, with less than half a gram of fat per 100-gram serving. By comparison, there are around 30 grams of fat in a 100-gram serving of ground beef.
3. Rattlesnake Meat is Versatile and Easy to Prepare
Although catching and killing a rattlesnake can be tricky for inexperienced hunters, its meat is versatile and simple to prepare.
©iStock.com/yhelfman
Yet another benefit of eating rattlesnake meat is its incredible versatility! There’s no end to the ways you can prepare this unusual yet satisfying food, from grilling it up and eating it like steak to frying it in small, bite-sized pieces.
Dishes like burgers, tacos, and jerky are common, as well as any dishes that involve a lot of seasoning. Adding seasonings or flavorings can help mask the somewhat gamey taste and rubbery texture that some people find unpleasant. Of course, you can also prepare it in a soup, as we touched on earlier, which even further expands the culinary possibilities for rattlesnake meat.
4. Rattlesnake Meat Tastes Great
The diamondback rattlesnake is another popular choice. Many people note it has a comparatively less gamey taste than other species.
©Kristian Bell/Shutterstock.com
Although some describe the taste of rattlesnake meat as somewhat earthy or gamey, many also agree that it tastes very similar to chicken. In fact, in many regions, it has gained the nickname “tube chicken” for its mild, white, somewhat poultry-like meat. Another common nickname for the meat is “desert whitefish,” another reference to its rather mild taste that can easily be flavored with a variety of seasonings and sauces.
However, rattlesnake meat can also be a bit rubbery, so cooking it thoroughly is important. Texture-wise, it is often described as being similar to frog legs or turtle meat. No matter how you describe it, most who have eaten it at some point agree: that it tastes pretty good!
5. Rattlesnake Meat Can Be Inexpensive
Depending on how you acquire it and prepare it, rattlesnake meat can be a very cost-efficient meal.
©Tom Reichner/Shutterstock.com
The exact price of rattlesnake meat can vary widely depending on whether you buy it raw from a supplier, catch, kill, and clean it yourself, or buy it already prepared in a dish. Another factor to consider is the specific type of rattlesnake you’re hoping to eat. Certain species can be more challenging to source and prepare and, as a result, more costly than others.
If you opt to do everything on your own or even purchase it raw, however, it can be a surprisingly cost-effective food choice. Many retailers specializing in such exotic meats sell rattlesnake meat for as little as $10 to $15 a pound.
Considering a pound of ground beef can cost around $3 to $7 per pound, rattlesnake meat is a healthy and fairly inexpensive option to consider for your next meal!
