Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 4
Maqtaa is a traditional Indigenous dish featuring slow-cooked beaver tail and venison, a meal deeply rooted in the culinary traditions of First Nations communities in North America. This hearty stew combines rich, gamey flavors with aromatic herbs and wild ingredients, making it a symbol of sustainability, survival, and cultural heritage.
The History and Cultural Significance of Maqtaa
Our Maqtaa Cooking Kit brings this rare and authentic dish to your kitchen, allowing you to experience the deep flavors and traditions of Indigenous North American cuisine.
A Dish Honoring Ancestral Cooking Traditions
For centuries, Indigenous peoples across Canada and the Northern United States have relied on wild game and foraged ingredients to create nourishing stews like Maqtaa. Beaver tail and venison were prized for their high fat content, protein, and ability to sustain people through harsh winters.
🌾 Pre-Colonial North America – First Nations communities, including the Cree, Métis, and Anishinaabe, developed game-based stews cooked in clay pots or over open fires.
🔥 Beaver in Indigenous Diets – Beaver meat and tail were highly valued for their fatty, gelatinous texture, making them a vital energy source in cold climates.
🦌 Venison as a Staple Food – Deer hunting was integral to survival, with venison being preserved by drying or smoking, then rehydrated in stews like Maqtaa.
Today, Maqtaa remains a powerful link to Indigenous culinary heritage, often prepared at cultural gatherings, feasts, and ceremonies.
Ingredients for Traditional Maqtaa Stew
Essential Ingredients
☑️ 1 beaver tail, cleaned and sliced
☑️ 500g venison, cubed
☑️ 4 cups bone broth (bison, venison, or vegetable)
☑️ 2 tablespoons🥄 animal fat or oil
☑️ 1 medium onion, chopped
☑️ 2 cloves garlic, minced
Spices & Seasoning
☑️ 1 teaspoon🥄 dried sage
☑️ ½ teaspoon🥄 juniper berries (crushed)
☑️ ½ teaspoon🥄 sea salt
☑️ ¼ teaspoon🥄 black pepper
Optional Additions
☑️ 1 cup root vegetables (carrots, parsnips, or turnips)
☑️ ½ teaspoon🥄 smoked paprika for depth
☑️ 1 tablespoon🥄 wild rice or corn kernels for texture
👩🍳 How to Make Maqtaa with the Kit
🔥 Step 1: Prepare the Beaver Tail & Venison
1️⃣ Clean the beaver tail, removing excess fur if necessary.
2️⃣ Cut it into slices and sear in a hot pan with animal fat until slightly crisp.
3️⃣ Remove and set aside. Repeat the searing process with venison cubes.
🍲 Step 2: Build the Stew Base
1️⃣ In the same pot, sauté onions and garlic until fragrant.
2️⃣ Pour in bone broth, then add beaver tail, venison, and spices.
⏳ Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection
1️⃣ Cover and simmer for 2–3 hours, allowing the flavors to develop.
2️⃣ Add root vegetables and optional wild rice or corn in the last 30 minutes.
🍽 Step 4: Serve & Enjoy!
1️⃣ Ladle the stew into bowls and garnish with fresh herbs.
2️⃣ Serve with Indigenous-style bannock bread or wild rice.
🔥Why You’ll Love This Maqtaa Cooking Kit
Ready to experience this rich and historic dish? Try Maqtaa stew today! 🦌🔥🍲
🔥Deeply Rooted in Indigenous Culinary Traditions – A true taste of history.
🦌 Nutrient-Rich & Sustainable – Wild game meats provide essential fats and protein.
🍲 Bold, Hearty & Warming – Slow-cooked flavors perfect for colder seasons.
🌾 Authentic & Rare Dish – A unique experience you won’t find in everyday cuisine.
“Maqtaa isn’t just a stew—it’s a connection to the land, history, and Indigenous culinary wisdom!”
🌍 Craving More Extreme Culinary Adventures? If you’re fascinated by rare and ancient food traditions, explore our guide to Larb Dib: Thailand & Laos’ Bold Raw Buffalo Meat Salad! You Need to Try! with Indigenous Roots for the Adventurous Food Lover.
Discover rare culinary experiences at Good Food and More—where every recipe is a journey through heritage, craftsmanship, and unforgettable flavors.
