Quail

Poultry

Quail

Quail is a small game and farmed bird with delicate, slightly gamey meat sold whole or as tiny breasts and legs. Coturnix quail dominate commercial production for meat and eggs; bobwhite and other species appear in hunting and specialty markets. Quick roasting, grilling, or pan-searing suits the small carcass. Eggs are a prized garnish and breakfast specialty alongside the meat bird.

Also known as: Uzura, Caille, Quaglia, Ānchún

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Unit

Cuts & parts

Breeds & varieties

A sample of named types with their own origin and culinary profiles. Showing 10 of 13.

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View all 13 breeds & varieties

Characteristics

Preparations

Bone InBonelessBraisedChilledConfitCuredDicedFreshFrozenGrilledGroundHalvedMincedPoachedQuarteredRoastedSaltedSkin OnSkinlessSlicedSmokedSpatchcockedWhole

Provenance

Antibiotic FreeBiodynamicCorn FedFarm AssuredFree RangeGrain FedHalalHeritageHormone FreeKosherLabel RougeOrganicPasture RaisedRegenerativeRSPCA AssuredSlow Grown

Sources

Indoor FarmedOutdoor FarmedWild

Traits

AromaticDelicateFineGameyLeanMildSavouryTender

Nutrition and pairings

Nutrition

Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.

Nutrition Facts

Per 100 g edible portion

Calories 188

Amount per 100 g

  • Total Fat 10.1 g
  • Saturated Fat 2.79 g
  • Trans Fat 0.1 g
  • Monounsaturated Fat 4.16 g
  • Polyunsaturated Fat 1.98 g
  • Cholesterol 88 mg
  • Sodium 68.9 mg
  • Salt 0.15 g
  • Total Carbohydrate 0.92 g
  • Dietary Fibre 0 g
  • Total Sugars 0.51 g
  • Complex / starch 0 g
  • Protein 23.7 g
  • Water 64.5 g
Detailed nutrients

Poultry muscle is relatively lean; skin and dark meat raise fat and energy.

In the kitchen

Culinary partners and combinations that usually underperform with Quail.

Pairs well with

Classic and complementary matches

Usually avoid with

Often clash in flavour or tradition

Grading systems

Grades are placed along a shared scale so systems can be compared side by side.

European Union

EU Poultry

United States

USDA

History

Wild quail were hunted across Eurasia and Africa as seasonal game birds.

JP

Japanese traditions valued quail meat and eggs in refined cuisine.

US

Commercial Coturnix farming expanded meat and egg production beyond wild harvest.

Restaurant demand for whole roast quail and quail eggs made the bird a global specialty poultry.

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