Elevate Your Winter Vacation With Alaska’s Delicious Wild Game Dishes

Skip the usual meat—this winter, feast on Alaskan wild game.

Planning a holiday getaway to America’s Icebox? 

Alaska offers a range of unique wild game dishes, each with a distinct flavor profile, which will add a new spin to your holiday menu. 

Slide right to see eight must-try dishes in Alaska if you’re looking for an unforgettable culinary experience this December.

Fried deer liver and heart as an appetizer

Traditionally a Sitka classic, cooking deer meat highlights the rich, gamey flavors of locally sourced organs. The deer liver and heart are lightly seasoned and then sauteed to a tender, with a chunk of butter, until it gets that nice crispy texture.

Pro tip: Soak the deer meat for up to 2 hours in cold water. To reduce the gamey flavor, add two to three tablespoons of vinegar.

Nigliq soup made from goose meat

Alaskans include a variety of wild game meats in their winter cuisine, including octopus, wild geese, reindeer, whale, moose, and salmon.

Between the hunts, the scenic glaciers, and the dog sledding events—enjoy a warm bowl of Nigliq soup. Made from goose meat, this heartfelt broth is served alongside smoked turkey, yams, and cranberries in the form of an appetizer.

Reindeer meat with cranberry sauce

Caribou—aka reindeer—transforms the concept of roast meat during the holiday season in Alaska. Venison meat is lean and tender, best for soaking up winter spices, and is usually served with a sweet cranberry sauce.

To balance the mild gamey flavors, you can pair caribou meat with homemade sourdough, apples, and pears—a true Alaskan classic.

Traditional Inupiat whale steak

Whale hunting is a major practice in Native Alaskan culture that’s deeply ingrained in the Inupiat tradition. Sourced from the subsistence harvest of bowhead whales, the meat itself is rich and hearty, and a great way to experience Alaska’s culinary heritage. 

Perfect for the weather: Try kimchi with whale meat or “maktak”. It’s a native staple that pairs whale blubber meat with the spicy tanginess of fermented vegetables.

Smoked salmon with wild berry glaze

Smoked salmon is synonymous with Alaska. This winter delicacy requires minimal seasoning and just a touch of citrus—it’s super light and packs in the rich, fatty flavors of wild game.  

The moist and flaky texture of the Alaskan King Salmon fillet blends well with a savory sauce made from wild harvests, usually a mix of blackberries or lingonberries.

Elevate your palate with flavors from the sea

Sand Point’s twist on crab cakes is a crispy octopus patty or burger. While the octopus is harvested, grab a bowl of marinated kelp salad before starting this meal.

This traditional recipe is part of the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium’s “Store Outside Your Door” initiative to highlight the health benefits of the state’s native recipes.

Rolled moose rib roast

Alaskans transform moose meat with an assortment of holiday spices and traditional slow-roasting techniques. This game meat is a local favorite on the remote Kandik River in Northeast Alaska.

Grilling or smoking is the preferred choice during preparation. For an extra touch of tradition, most Alaskan diners and restaurants roast moose ribs with a highbush cranberry glaze, perfect for caramelization.

Sweet potato mashers with seaweed garnish

Sweet potato mash is a local side dish and an Alaskan favorite.

The sweetness from the Yukon gold potato mash, combined with coastal seaweed, creates a briny, umami-rich flavor. The seaweed salad makes for a healthy and herby meal—a great option when you want to munch on some greens.

Serve it dry or with gravy and rice—whatever floats your boat.