Game Hen with Blackberry Gastrique and Roasted Root Vegetables

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Pan-roasted game hen served with a tangy blackberry gastrique and a medley of caramelized roasted root vegetables. This French-inspired game-day recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, pairs game hen, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 French cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Pat dry 2 game hens and season inside and out with 2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Step 2: Add the game hens, breast side down, and sear for 5 minutes until golden brown. Flip and sear the other side for 5 minutes. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 4 fresh thyme sprigs to the pan, then transfer the skillet to the oven and roast for 20 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Meanwhile, toss 3 peeled and chunked carrots, 2 peeled and chunked parsnips, and 1 cut red onion with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper on a baking sheet. Roast in the oven alongside the hens for 20 minutes until caramelized and tender.
  4. Step 4: For the blackberry gastrique, combine 1 cup blackberries, 1/4 cup red wine vinegar, and 2 tbsp honey in a small saucepan over medium heat. Simmer for 10 minutes, mashing blackberries occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  5. Step 5: Remove hens and vegetables from the oven. Let hens rest 5 minutes before serving. Spoon the blackberry gastrique over the hens and serve with the roasted root vegetables.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Game Hen with Blackberry Gastrique and Roasted Root Vegetables take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (20 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Game Hen with Blackberry Gastrique and Roasted Root Vegetables?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep game hen from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Game Hen with Blackberry Gastrique and Roasted Root Vegetables?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Game Hen with Blackberry Gastrique and Roasted Root Vegetables for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Game Hen with Blackberry Gastrique and Roasted Root Vegetables?

French game day like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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