Pemmican is a traditional Native American and Canadian food made of dried meat, fat, and sometimes dried fruit. It is a high-energy, portable snack that was originally used by indigenous people as a way to store food for the winter or for long journeys. Pemmican is still popular today as a snack for hikers, campers, and other outdoor enthusiasts because it is easy to make and provides a good source of protein and energy. Here are five delicious and nutritious pemmican recipes that you can try on your next adventure:
Basic Pemmican Recipe:
- 1 pound of lean, dried meat (such as beef, venison, or buffalo)
- 1 cup of rendered animal fat (such as beef tallow or lard)
- Optional: 1/4 cup of dried fruit (such as berries, cherries, or currants)
To make basic pemmican, grind the dried meat into a powder using a food processor or meat grinder. Melt the rendered fat in a pan over low heat and mix in the dried meat and optional fruit. Pour the mixture into a container and refrigerate until firm. Cut into slices or break off pieces as needed.
Spicy Pemmican Recipe:
- 1 pound of lean, dried meat
- 1 cup of rendered animal fat
- 1 teaspoon of chili powder
- 1 teaspoon of cumin
- 1 teaspoon of paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
- Optional: 1/4 cup of dried fruit
To make spicy pemmican, follow the basic pemmican recipe, but mix in the chili powder, cumin, paprika, and garlic powder with the melted fat before adding the dried meat.
Sweet and Savory Pemmican Recipe:
- 1 pound of lean, dried meat
- 1 cup of rendered animal fat
- 1/4 cup of honey
- 1/4 cup of dried fruit
- 1/4 cup of chopped nuts (such as almonds or pecans)
To make sweet and savory pemmican, follow the basic pemmican recipe, but mix in the honey, dried fruit, and nuts with the melted fat before adding the dried meat.
Berry Pemmican Recipe:
- 1 pound of lean, dried meat
- 1 cup of rendered animal fat
- 1 cup of dried berries (such as blueberries, raspberries, or cranberries)
To make berry pemmican, follow the basic pemmican recipe, but use dried berries in place of the optional fruit.
Tropical Pemmican Recipe:
- 1 pound of lean, dried meat
- 1 cup of rendered animal fat
- 1/4 cup of chopped dried coconut
- 1/4 cup of chopped dried mango
- 1/4 cup of chopped dried pineapple
To make tropical pemmican, follow the basic pemmican recipe, but mix in the coconut, mango, and pineapple with the melted fat before adding the dried meat.
Note: When making pemmican, it is important to use lean, dried meat to prevent the finished product from going rancid. It is also important to store pemmican in a cool, dry place to prevent spoilage.
