American Alligator

Attributes

The white meat has a fine, light-grained texture that many people compare favorably to pork and chicken.

Buying, Storage and Handling

Remember to purchase seafood last and keep it cold during the trip home.

Frozen

Alligator is usually purchased frozen. Alligator meat is sold frozen as a bone-in, deboned, or deboned and tenderized product. Handle the meat as you would any other frozen product; mark the package with the date you purchased it and make sure it is tightly wrapped to prevent freezer burn. Thaw the meat in the refrigerator and use promptly. Do not re-freeze once thawed.

Fresh

Remove all excess fat on the outside of the cut and between the meat layers. For extra tenderness, use a meat mallet or a cuber and then cut across the grain of the meat to yield meal-sized portions. For freezer storage, wrap tightly with cellophane and freezer paper to prevent freezer burn for up to four months.

Preparation

Keep raw and cooked seafood separate to prevent bacterial cross-contamination.

After handling raw seafood thoroughly wash knives, cutting surfaces, sponges and your hands with hot soapy water.

Always marinate seafood in the refrigerator.

Discard marinade; it contains raw juices which may harbor bacteria.

When marinade is needed for basting reserve a portion before adding raw seafood.

Cooking

Alligator has its own unique flavor that is easily enhanced with seasonings and sauces. Many of your favorite recipes for veal, chicken and seafood can be successfully prepared with alligator.

Nutrition

Nutritional values for approximately 4 ounces (114 grams) of raw, edible portions

Calories	110
Calories From Fat	20
Total Fat	2	g
Saturated Fat	.5	g
Cholesterol	55	mg
Sodium	55	mg
Total Carbohydrates	0	g
Protein	24	g

More About the American Alligator

Florida wetlands are home to over one million wild American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) and 30 Florida farmers ride herd on an additional 100,000 farm-raised alligators. Land and wildlife management programs regulate the farming and harvest of the alligator and the sale of its products. The American alligator is a wildlife management success story with commercial wild harvests and farming operations providing revenues for state agency alligator management and research programs. Purchase of an alligator product, leather or meat, is an investment in the continuity of the alligator and its habitat.

It is illegal to capture, handle or kill the American alligator without appropriate state licenses. Licensed alligator trappers and farmers take pride in processing alligator meat for your table. Alligator meat has a fine, light-grained texture that many people compare favorably with pork or chicken. However, alligator has its own unique mild flavor that is easily enhanced with seasonings and sauces. Many of your favorite recipes for veal, chicken and seafood may be successfully prepared using alligator.

Related Brochures and Publications

Download the American Alligator Info and Recipes Brochure (PDF)
Download the Florida Alligator Meat Brochure (PDF)
Download a High-Resolution Image of American Alligator (JPG-ZIP)