Smoked Kangaroo Loin (You Know You Want to Try It!)

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Have you always wanted to try kangaroo? It’s delicious when cooked right, so below is my recipe for smoked kangaroo loin! Here are two interesting facts about kangaroos.

• There are more kangaroos than people in Australia – almost double the human population!
• You can eat kangaroos!

Yes, you read correctly. Kangaroo is delicious gamey meat and can be found on supermarket shelves and butchers.

If you already have some and were wondering the best way to smoke, you are in the right place. It is lean meat, so it can be tricky to get right, so make sure you follow all my steps below.

Smoked Kangaroo Steak

Kangaroo meat is best cooked by smoking, as it gives a unique, bold, and smoky flavor. Just remember when it comes to cooking a kangaroo steak, there are a couple of things to bear in mind.

Due to it low-fat content, it needs to be carefully cooked, so it doesn’t end up dry. Retaining its moisture is very important and it is best if you serve it medium-rare. Compared to other types of meat to smoke, kangaroo meat is very lean (2% fat). Many nutritionists indeed recommend it because it is rich in iron and vitamin B. its is similar in texture to a strip steak.

What to You Need for Smoked Kangaroo

• Kangaroo Rump, Striploin, or Loin
• Marinade
• BBQ Dry Rub
• Cooking Oil

Marinade 

• olive oil
• flavoured liquid (red wine, fruit juice)
• garlic, minced
• paprika
• fresh thyme
• cracked pepper and salt

BBQ Dry Rub

• chili pepper/powder
• garlic powder
• regular/smoked paprika
• salt
• black pepper
• thyme
• Olive oil or butter

What Tools You’ll Need

• Smoker or Grill (You can turn your grill into a smoker, if you don’t have a smoker)
• Grill surface gauge (to know grill temperature)
• Grill tongs
• Meat thermometer (to know internal temperature)
• Mesquite or hickory cooking pellets
• Disposable Aluminum pan

Steps to Smoking Your Kangaroo Steak

You have the option of either using a dry rub or marinating your steak or both.

 Step 1a – Marinade: Put the kangaroo steak in a clean bowl. Pour in the olive oil and add the garlic, thyme, and spices. Rub gently on all sides of the steak. This will help tenderize the steak. Cover with plastic wrap and store in a refrigerator, and leave for 2-3 hours or overnight.

Step 1b Dry Rub: Combine all dry ingredients of BBQ dry rub in a bowl and mix properly. Coat your steak with olive oil or butter and rub some of your dry rub all over your kangaroo steak. You will use the rest for searing.

Step 2: Set up your charcoal grill for smoking. The aluminum pan should be in the middle of the bottom grate, and the coals should be on either side of the pan. Add some pellets to the coals and place a grill surface gauge until the temperature gets to about 80°C (176°F).

Step 3: Place the kangaroo steak on the cooking grate, cover the grill and adjust your vents to ensure low heat.

Step 4: Use the tongs to turn the steak every 10-15 minutes to make sure all sides are evenly cooked. You may add more pellets to keep the grill temperature constant.

Step 5: Use the meat thermometer to ensure your steak gets to an internal temperature of 63°C (144°F). This can take up to 2 hours.

Step 6: Now, pre-heat the second grill with a target temperature of 63°C (144°F) and get ready for searing. If you are using one grill, you need to increase the grill temperature by adjusting the vents again.

Step 7: Cover the steak with cooking oil and add some dry rub. Now sear the steak for about 3-4 minutes to give it a crisp, dark red crust.

(Remember: your kangaroo steak cannot be too dry, charred, or overcooked, so searing should last no longer than 3-4 minutes)

Step 8: Allow your finished kangaroo steak to rest for about 5 minutes.

What To Have With Your Kangaroo Steak

Not sure what to use to complement your steak? Here are some delicious ideas:

1. Traeger Broccoli
2. Grilled Carrots
3. Brussel Sprouts
4. Traeger Cheesecake

More Mains to Try

Smoked Lamb Shanks

Pork Crown

Spiral Ham

Traeger Brisket

Can You Grill Kangaroo Steaks?

You sure can grill kangaroos steaks! If you just want to go then hot and fast. Otherwise, the meat can go chewy. See my recipe for grilled kangaroo loin here.

Regardless of the occasion, kangaroo steak is a cut that is worth trying! Enjoy with a glass of wine, either a glass of beer or a long neck (Aussie slang for a 750ml beer bottle)

Smoke On!

Charlie

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