Citrus Honey Glazed Roasted Quail

Name: Citrus Honey Glazed Roasted Quail
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/4 cup orange juice; 2 tbsp honey; 1 tbsp lemon juice; 1 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tsp orange zest; 1/2 tsp fresh ginger, grated; 8 semi-boneless quail; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp kosher salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 4 sprigs fresh thyme

45 min 4 servings medium

All Recipes

Citrus Honey Glazed Roasted Quail

Petite quail roasted until golden and lacquered with a citrus honey glaze — an elegant game bird perfect for special dinners.

Prep

15 min

Cook

25 min

Total

45 min

Servings

Difficulty

medium

Quail are tiny but incredibly flavorful birds that cook in a fraction of the time of larger poultry. A bright glaze of orange juice, honey, and lemon pairs beautifully with the delicate, slightly gamey meat. Grilled or roasted at high heat, they develop a gorgeous golden-brown, lacquered skin.

Ingredients

Servings

Citrus Honey Glaze

Quail

Instructions

Make the glaze

Combine orange juice, honey, lemon juice, soy sauce, orange zest, and ginger in a small saucepan. Simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Reserve half for serving.

Prep the quail

Pat quail dry. Rub with olive oil and season inside and out with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Tuck a sprig of thyme into each cavity.

Sear

On a hot grill or in a cast iron skillet, sear quail breast side down for 3-4 minutes until the skin is deeply golden and crispy.

Glaze and roast

Flip quail breast side up. Brush generously with the citrus honey glaze. Transfer to indirect heat (or a 425°F oven) and cook for 12-15 minutes until the internal temperature of the thigh reaches 160°F, brushing with more glaze every 5 minutes.

Pro tip: Quail cook very fast — check temperature early and often to avoid overcooking these small birds.