Alligator sliders, you say? Absolutely! These are easy. Turn your alligator sausage into mini burgers with this recipe, served with roasted red pepper remoulade and quick pickled cucumbers.
This recipe is special to me because it isn't everyday you get to cook with alligator. Have you ever cooked with alligator? I have in the past, though it has only been with ground meat. I haven't yet had the opportunity to cook with any other type, but who knows? Perhaps in the near future! When Patty and I visit Florida, we always make a point to stop at a particular restaurant right along the water that serves up some of the most delicious gator sausage you can find. It is perfectly seasoned and served with a red pepper remoulade. It's an excellent lunch and one of Patty's all-time favorite meals.
So! I had to acquire some for her. I had to special order the alligator sausage from the butcher. Alligator isn't readily available here in the Midwest, but no big deal. A quick call and gator is there the next week. I ordered a few pounds so we can have simple gator sausage anytime, but for this recipe, I wanted something slightly different, in the form of a slider. Sliders are great! Tiny burger patties served up on buns. You can serve them as an appetizer or a dinner, or bring them along as party food. Think game day! Yes, pun intended. Game meat for game day.
Alligator has a milder flavor, not exactly what you might expect. People say it tastes like chicken, but truly, there is a different quality to it. I would compare it to a cross between chicken, pork and fish. Mild, yes, but It marries nicely with the roasted red pepper remoulade. I also included some quick pickled cucumbers that offer a welcomed bit of texture and crunch.
Go Gator!
Patty's Perspective: I seriously LOVE gator sausage. When I saw it on the menu in Florida, I took a chance and gave it a try. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Now I order it every year. This was a nice surprise for me, especially as sliders. Looking forward to more alligator! Yum!
Alligator Sausage Sliders with Roasted Red Pepper Remoulade
Ingredients
FOR THE ROASTED RED PEPPER REMOULADE
- 1 roasted red bell pepper seeded and chopped
- 1 cup mayo
- ½ cup spicy mustard
- ½ stalk celery chopped
- 2-3 cloves roasted garlic
- Salt to taste
FOR THE PICKLED CUCUMBERS
- 1 cucumber sliced into thin rings
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
FOR THE GATOR SLIDERS
- 24 ounces alligator sausage
- ½ small onion chopped
- 1 jalapeno pepper chopped
- 1 clove garlic chopped
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup panko bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil + more as needed
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped cilantro
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasonings
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8 toasted buns for serving
Instructions
- For the remoulade, combine all ingredients in a food processor and process until fairly smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- For the pickled cucumbers, set all ingredients into a large pan and bring to a quick boil. Reduce heat and simmer about 5 minutes or so. Cool slightly then set into a glass container. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- For the alligator sausage sliders, heat a small pan to medium heat and add some oil. Add jalapeno and onion and cook about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook 1 more minute.
- Add to a large mixing bowl.
- Remove the casings from the alligator sausages and discard. Add the alligator sausage to the mixing bowl.
- Add egg, panko, olive oil, cilantro, Cajun seasonings, and salt and pepper. Hand mix. Do not overmix, or it can become rather mealy.
- Form into 8 patties and cook in a medium-heated pan with a few splashes of olive oil. Cook about 5 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
- Set onto toasted buns and top with the pickled cucumbers and roasted red pepper remoulade.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
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