What Does Snake Meat Taste Like? Is It Poisonous??

Many of us more adventurous eaters, are curious to find out what snake meat tastes like! If this is a little outside your comfort zone though we urge you to review our other flavor articles such as the unique taste of the Colombian borojo fruit or even mango.

Snakes are animals that have been drawing a lot of attention lately. Snakes come in a range of shapes and sizes. As a result, the flavor will vary depending on the snake you’re eating and more importantly, how it is prepared. Some snakes have a milder flavor, while others have a gamier flavor, which can be an acquired taste.

What Does Snake Meat Taste Like?

If you’re wondering what a snake tastes like, you might be interested to know that it depends on what it eats. Water snakes taste more like fish, and snakes that eat insects taste strangely similar. Snakes actually don’t have a unique taste. If one had to generalize about the snake, it tastes like a cross between chicken and eel to most people who have tried it.

This is because it’s high in protein. Rattlesnakes are eaten in the United States, as a novelty, much like alligator meat is eaten in Florida. In many places, they are grilled and served. Snake meat can be purchased from some butcher shops, and it’s usually pretty expensive. 

I recall hunting out in the jungle in the Congo with a group of very experienced hunters when a mamba snake attacked us. Luckily, my guide quickly killed it and when we got back to camp, they skinned, gutted and grilled it. What did it taste like? To me, it was barely edible but it was really tough. Personally, I’d only eat it if I were starving and there was no other protein available.

On the other hand, snake meat is considered a delicacy in China, where it is used in soups and other dishes. According to a recent survey, over 6,000 restaurants in Shanghai alone have snake meat on the menu. This is not surprising, as the Chinese are extremely good cooks and know how to make use of an extraordinary array of foods that in other countries would be considered inedible.

Is Eating a Snake Safe?

Before answering this question, let’s explore the difference between venomous and poisonous. Poisonous means that eating something can make you sick or kill you, but venomous only means that if you were bitten, you would be poisoned.

Snakes that would kill you if they bite won’t harm you at all if you eat them (but I wouldn’t experiment with eating anything that could contain their venum, like their mouths). There is, however, one species of snake that eats poisonous frogs whose meat would then be poisonous to us. 

Snakes are eaten in Asia and Africa. However, it is “general knowledge” that eating snakes is not safe in two parts of the world: North America and Australia. However snake meat is quite harmless, if it is fresh, just like any other meat.

Copperheads and rattlesnakes are venomous snakes in North America. There are various deadly species in Australia, including Taipans (death adders), black-headed pythons, and others. Even poisonous snakes are safe to eat (even if they are very dangerous to hunt).

Snakes should always be caught and prepared by a local expert who knows what they’re doing. 

How to Eat Snake Meat

People commonly grill snakes during various community fairs in specific parts of the United States, generally the marshy deep south, where there is an abundance of snakes in the wild. This meat is very often BBQed. Like any other meat, it shouldn’t be over-cooked, or it will become chewy.

Snake is pretty simple to prepare. You must first remove its tongue before skinning it (that allows you to take out all the meat and removing the scales at the same time). After that, take out the insides.

What Kinds of Snakes Can I Eat?

Snakes come in various shapes and sizes, and their scales and skins, as well as jewelry created from their teeth, are all edible. Some people are apprehensive about consuming snake meat at first, while others can be more adventurous.

Even venomous snakes are edible but it is wise to take out the Venum before cooking and eating the snakes (but apparently, eating snake venom won’t hurt you but I personally wouldn’t risk it)!

Boas and Pythons

Boas can be found in almost any habitat, and tropical rainforests and coastal marshlands are ideal habitats for them. Pythons are typically found in Asia. They can also be found in parts of Africa. They can live in various habitats and can be found in different parts of the world.

However, these two types of snakes have one thing in common: their meat, especially the white meat, can be eaten by humans.

What Does Rattlesnake Taste Like?

There are numerous ways to prepare a rattlesnake, but they all have one thing in common: they are delicious. Rattlesnake has a gamey or earthy flavor, but many people believe it tastes like chicken. The rattlesnake’s white meat is slightly rubbery to the touch, not unlike chicken breast.

Some prefer snakes with bacon or apple sauce, while others prefer them deep-fried and wrapped in tortillas like a burrito. Snake meat is offered in select restaurants in the United States, despite the lack of health regulations. It has a distinct flavor that some people appreciate.

One thing is sure: if you’re intrigued about rattlesnake flavor, don’t be afraid to try it. The same goes for pythons.

What’s the Best Way to Cook and Eat Snake?

The majority of snakes are edible, and every part of the animal can be eaten in various ways. Because the skin is flavorless and has little nutritional value, it is usually removed from the body before consumption.

Snake meat is a fantastic source of protein, and there are many different ways to prepare them. Snake meat tastes excellent when baked, fried, or roasted over an open flame. Snake meat taste is often described as having the same texture as chicken because it is prepared to taste like chicken. Some people believe snakes are a gourmet treat because of their particular flavor characteristics.

This was not my experience in the jungle of Africa, but I’m finding out that snake meat can be great if prepared correctly! 

How Should Snakes Be Prepared and Consumed?

How Does One Serve Snake Meat

Snake meat taste is similar to chicken. You can sauté, fry, or boil it, then season it with spices to create the flavor you want. You might also be asking which parts of the snake are safe to eat. Except for the snake’s head, all parts of the snake are edible. If you’re going to cook snake meat, you’ll need to remove the head first.

While snake meat taste may not be as well-known in restaurants as other meats such as pig or beef, if people were aware of the ease and enjoyment of eating snakes, they might give it a try.

Next time I’m in China, I’ll find a chef to teach me the secrets to turning snake meat into something delicious!

Now You Know What Snake Taste Like

We hope this has helped you in your journey of finding out more about what snake meat tastes like and how to cook it properly. We hope you enjoyed this article and invite you to view some of our other ones.