Pan-Roasted Quail with Shallot and Plum Sauce
Juicy quail pan-roasted to golden perfection and served with a rich, tangy shallot and plum sauce that complements the gamey meat. This French-inspired game-day recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs whole quail, spatchcocked, kosher salt, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.
Ingredients
- 4 birds whole quail, spatchcocked
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 medium (1.5 oz) shallot, minced
- 2 medium plums, pitted and chopped
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
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Instructions
- Step 1: Season 4 spatchcocked whole quail with 1 tsp kosher salt evenly on all sides.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the quail, skin side down, and cook for 4-5 minutes until the skin is golden and crisp.
- Step 3: Flip the quail and cook for another 4-5 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, then transfer to a plate and tent with foil to rest.
- Step 4: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add 1 minced medium shallot, cooking for 2 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 5: Add 2 chopped medium plums, 1 tbsp red wine vinegar, and 1 tbsp honey; cook for 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the plums break down into a thick sauce.
- Step 6: Season the sauce with 1/2 tsp black pepper and pour it over the rested quail before serving.








