↑

  • Recipe Index
    • Appetizers
    • Main Dish
      • Casseroles
      • Main Dishes: Beef
      • Main Dishes: Pork
      • Main Dishes: Poultry
      • Main Dishes: Vegetarian
    • Salads
    • Soups
    • Sandwiches
    • Side Dishes
    • Desserts
      • Slow Cooker
      • Instant Pot
      • Holidays
  • Travel
  • Fitness & Health
    • health
    • free workouts
    • buy chanelle’s eBook!
    • shop chanelle’s faves
  • Pets
  • Crafts & DIY
  • Lifestyle
    • entertainment
    • home decor
    • productivity
    • style & beauty

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

  • About Me
  • Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

Eat Move Make

recipes | DIY | lifestyle

  • Recipe Index
    • Appetizers
    • Main Dish
      • Casseroles
      • Main Dishes: Beef
      • Main Dishes: Pork
      • Main Dishes: Poultry
      • Main Dishes: Vegetarian
    • Salads
    • Soups
    • Sandwiches
    • Side Dishes
    • Desserts
      • Slow Cooker
      • Instant Pot
      • Holidays
  • Travel
  • Fitness & Health
    • health
    • free workouts
    • buy chanelle’s eBook!
    • shop chanelle’s faves
  • Pets
  • Crafts & DIY
  • Lifestyle
    • entertainment
    • home decor
    • productivity
    • style & beauty
Home » Recipes » BBQ Pheasant & Gouda Pizza (Inspired by a Visit to MacFarlane Pheasant Farm in Janesville WI)

BBQ Pheasant & Gouda Pizza (Inspired by a Visit to MacFarlane Pheasant Farm in Janesville WI)

By: Liz  /  Published: September 17, 2017  /  Updated: December 24, 2020  /   Leave a comment

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Making a BBQ pheasant and gouda pizza was never on my bucket list, but when the inspiration strikes, you have to go with it. The idea came from a hosted visit to the MacFarlane Pheasant Farm in Janesville, Wisconsin where I learned more than I ever thought there was to know about pheasants, including the fact the tiny little bird is a delicacy.

The farm began in 1929, and it has since grown into the largest pheasant farm on the continent. I visited near season’s end, so only 30% of the birds were still on the farm. Even so, it seemed as if the plucky little birds were everywhere.

pheasants at MacFarlane Pheasant farm

The little glasses they wear are called peepers and they serve as blinders to help cut down on aggressiveness and cannibalism. Pheasants might look innocent, but they are meanies. They tend to peck at each other’s tails, and since the tail feathers are a hunter’s trophy, it’s essential to keep those intact.

pheasant feathers

The white ringnecks (which are used for food because they don’t taste gamey) are especially aggressive, and most of them are in open free roaming barns with dim light to keep them calmer.

white ringnecks

The farm is divided into three components: food, eggs/chicks, and adult birds. The young birds stay in barns until they’re about 6 weeks old, and when they’re moved outside the weather has to be perfect for 3-5 days to help them make that transition safely. When they reach 20 or 22 weeks, they’re considered adults.

pheasants at MacFarlane Pheasant farm

MacFarlane is also the only farm in North America to raise the highly coveted Hungarian partridge (the variety specifically requested by Michael Keaton). In that breed, females are more aggressive than males, and the super tiny ring-like peepers they wear are called bits.

pheasants at MacFarlane Pheasant farm

The majority of mature birds are sent for stocking or to hunting clubs where they’ve been hunted by the likes of Queen Elizabeth! MacFarlane Farms crates and hand-delivers all of its birds to guarantee quality.

People request particular game bird varieties, the most popular being the ringneck, but some are smaller and quicker and some are heartier and can withstand temperature changes.

pheasant wearing peepers at MacFarlane pheasant farm

Another huge percentage of birds are sent offsite to be processed for use in restaurants, gift packs and mail-order. That’s where mine came from for the BBQ pheasant and gouda pizza.

About that pizza… I became fascinated with the idea of trying pheasant, so I finally broke down this month and ordered a smoked pheasant from MacFarlane Pheasant Farms. I decided to recreate their website recipe for BBQ pheasant and gouda pizza.

Voilà.

BBQ Pheasant and Gouda Pizza

BBQ Pheasant and Gouda Pizza

Guess what? I was “pheasantly” surprised (that one was for you, Mike) by how much I liked it! It reminded me of chicken or turkey in its appearance and texture, but the taste of the smoked pheasant was very much like ham.

And it all began like this. Looks like smoked chicken, yes? But pheasant is lower in cholesterol and fat and higher in protein than chicken. It’s not oily like duck either. MacFarlane Farms likes to call it the other, other white meat.

smoked pheasant

To make the pizza, I chopped the pheasant breast into small chunks, then shredded some gouda cheese. Yum!

shredded gouda cheese

Then I spooned a spicy BBQ sauce over a pre-made crust and sprinkled on the cheese, pheasant, pepperoncini peppers, red onion and fresh cilantro.

spicy BBQ sauce over a pre-made crust and sprinkled on the cheese, pheasant, pepperoncini peppers, red onion and fresh cilantro.

Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

slice of BBQ pheasant pizza

A close up of a piece of pizza

Enjoy!

MacFarlane Pheasants in Janesville WI

If you love quirky attractions, take a trip to MacFarlane Pheasants in Janesville, Wisconsin. Another really interesting place I visited there is the Milton House Museum — a hexagonal stagecoach inn. Reach out to Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau for help in planning a trip!

Pheasant

BBQ Pheasant and Gouda Pizza

Liz - Eat Move Make
Try this smoky BBQ pheasant and gouda pizza for a taste of the other, other white meat.
5 from 5 votes
Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe
Prevent your screen from going dark
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 25 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 512 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 12 inch pre-baked pizza crust
  • 1 cup spicy barbeque sauce
  • 2 cups skinless boneless Pheasant breast cooked and cubed*
  • ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 cup sliced pepperoncini peppers
  • 1 cup chopped red onion
  • 2 cup shredded Smokey Gouda Cheese*

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Place pizza crust on a medium baking sheet. Spread the crust with barbeque sauce. Top with Pheasant, cilantro, pepperoncini peppers, onion, and cheese. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  • You can substitute Smoked Pheasant for regular pheasant and then switch over to traditional Gouda cheese.
All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only and nutrition may vary according to exact products and the online nutrition calculator being used. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on EatMoveMake.com should only be used as a general guideline.

Nutrition

Calories: 512kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 33gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 109mgSodium: 1232mgPotassium: 372mgFiber: 2gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 638IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 440mgIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Related topics
Recipes Travel Wisconsin

About Liz

Liz is a midwestern mom gone southern (accent in transition). She lives in North Carolina and loves cooking, baking, traveling, movies, crafts, hot and cold tea, wine, pizza and the occasional nap. She also revels in the fact she's a crazy cat lady.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Betty Manousos says

    September 22, 2017 at 11:19 am

    i’ve never had pheasant before, but that pizza looks really delicious! i need to try it out asap!

    have a lovely weekend! xoxo

    Reply
  2. Angie says

    September 20, 2017 at 10:25 am

    YUM, this looks amazing. I haven’t had pheasant in years… I used to work the lunch booth during the pheasant hunt with my local church group as a kid, and sometimes the hunters would stop in and cook us up one of their catches to try-it was so good.

    Reply
  3. Rose Cottrill says

    September 20, 2017 at 6:19 am

    I always love visiting farms! This looks like a great place and love those pheasant. The pizza looks delicious!

    Reply
  4. Veronica Solomon says

    September 20, 2017 at 12:04 am

    I can’t say that I have ever had pheasant meat before, but this sure looks delicious

    Reply
  5. Marielle Altenor says

    September 19, 2017 at 11:35 pm

    I’ve never had pheasant before! My mouth is watering just looking at this pizza.

    Reply
  6. Angela Ricardo Bethea says

    September 19, 2017 at 6:53 pm

    This gouda pizza is really making me crave for a bite! I have never tried it before and it looks oh so yummy!

    Reply
  7. Janella Panchamsingh says

    September 19, 2017 at 6:09 pm

    I have never had or heard of smoked pheasant it sort of looks like smoke turkey

    Reply
  8. Kita Bryant says

    September 19, 2017 at 4:51 pm

    I’e never had pheasant before. Doesn’t look much different from other birds we eat, I suppose! Interesting!

    Reply
  9. Dogvills says

    September 19, 2017 at 4:11 pm

    We haven’t had pheasant before. I was just wondering how it tastes? I am sure most fowls have similar tastes and textures, but I really would love to have a chance to try pheasant meat. The pizza looks so delicious!

    Reply
  10. liz Cleland says

    September 19, 2017 at 12:54 pm

    We have chickens but never had pheasant. How much do they compare?

    Reply
  11. sara says

    September 19, 2017 at 10:16 am

    What an elegant flavor combination! I need to try this myself. Looks like you had a great visit to the MacFarlane Pheasant Farm.

    Reply
  12. Brianne says

    September 19, 2017 at 9:09 am

    Wow this looks really delicious! I would never think of that combo before!

    Reply
  13. Erlene says

    September 19, 2017 at 5:02 am

    Oh, smoked pheasant sounds like my kind of bird if it tastes like ham. I bet it tastes heavenly on pizza paired with gouda – yummy!

    Reply
  14. Ra'Nesha says

    September 19, 2017 at 5:02 am

    Pheasants on pizza hmm never heard ot it, but it looks so good.

    Reply
  15. Carrie | The Lavender Hytta says

    September 19, 2017 at 3:12 am

    I’ve never had pheasant before but this pizza makes me definitely want to try it! It looks absolutely delicious! 🙂

    Reply
  16. Jenni says

    September 19, 2017 at 3:04 am

    This pizza is awesome!! I wish I could visit this gorgeous place one day!

    Reply
  17. Kiwi says

    September 19, 2017 at 3:00 am

    What an amazing flavorful pizza! I love the pepperoncini peppers those are my favs!

    Reply
  18. valmg @ Mom Knows It All says

    September 19, 2017 at 1:17 am

    I’ve never had pheasant, it’s pretty interesting that it tastes similar to ham. I have had ham on pizza and it’s good.

    Reply
  19. Toni | Boulder Locavore says

    September 19, 2017 at 12:42 am

    That pizza looks SO good!! And this place looks fun to visit!

    Reply
  20. Lorelai @ Life With Lorelai says

    September 19, 2017 at 12:40 am

    I have never had pheasant, but I have to say, that pizza looks delicious! I would definitely give this a try. 🙂

    Reply
  21. Crystal says

    September 19, 2017 at 12:25 am

    Wow, that is taking pizza to the next level! I definitely need to veer off of the standard pepperoni pizza and try your bbq pheasant and gouda pizza.

    Reply
  22. Amy Desrosiers says

    September 18, 2017 at 10:22 pm

    My dad used to raise pheasants. I have never tried them, but that does sound like a flavorful pizza.

    Reply
  23. Mitch says

    September 18, 2017 at 9:17 pm

    What an innovative idea for pizza! I love gouda separate, why not on pizza with pheasant replacing chicken! Thanks for this delicious idea, and straight form the farm!

    Reply
  24. felicia says

    September 18, 2017 at 8:59 pm

    That looks absolutely delicious! My uncle used to raise pheasants. They are beautiful birds!

    Reply
  25. Carol Cassara says

    September 18, 2017 at 8:51 pm

    This looks delightful! It’s not that difficult to put together either which is awesome. I’d love to give the recipe a try, I’m curious about the taste! I’m pretty sure it’s amazing!

    Reply
  26. Rachel says

    September 18, 2017 at 8:36 pm

    I’ve had pheasant before but never on pizza. This looks like a really tasty dish.

    Reply
  27. AnnMarie John says

    September 18, 2017 at 8:18 pm

    That pizza looks so satisfying and good! I love that it’s made with gouda, it’s one of my fave cheeses of all time! It’s definitely something that the whole family will enjoy as well since it’s pizza!

    Reply
  28. Claudia Krusch says

    September 18, 2017 at 6:33 pm

    This would be a cool farm to see in person. I have never had a BBQ pheasant and gouda pizza before but it looks delicious.

    Reply
  29. Kelly Hutchinson says

    September 18, 2017 at 6:11 pm

    I have never had pheasant, but this pizza sounds amazing. Anything with gouda is a treat in my book!

    Reply
  30. TColeman says

    September 18, 2017 at 6:02 pm

    This sounds like it would be really interesting. I am all game for trying new foods!

    Reply
  31. Miriam T. says

    September 18, 2017 at 6:00 pm

    I had no idea pheasant were so mean! Just looking at another bird can piss them off… Goodness.

    I’ve always wondered what it pheasant was like when it’s been cooked on a cooking show. I didn’t even realize that there were pheasant farms, although it makes sense. I can’t imagine all the cooks out there hunting for their own birds.

    Very interesting read!

    Reply
  32. Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh says

    September 18, 2017 at 5:56 pm

    I would totally try pheasant. Sounds like a tasty idea for a pizza. I usually don’t want to try weird things, like goat, for me that’s weird…Pheasant? Totally doable.

    Reply
  33. Heather Johnson says

    September 18, 2017 at 5:51 pm

    I would try any food that contained gouda! BBQ pheasant and gouda pizza sounds interesting but tasty. We had pheasant at Thanksgiving a few times with my grandparents.

    Reply
  34. rebekah says

    September 18, 2017 at 4:54 pm

    This looks amazing! My dad would love this pizza.

    Reply
  35. Shannon Gurnee says

    September 18, 2017 at 4:45 pm

    I’ve never had pheasant before, but I love gouda and pizza. This sounds like an interesting combination.

    Reply
  36. Tara says

    September 18, 2017 at 3:21 pm

    I didn’t realize that pheasants were that aggressive. This pizza sure does look good. I will have to try it.

    Reply
  37. Elizabeth L says

    September 18, 2017 at 3:04 pm

    Pizza is honestly a family favourite. I can say that I have never had a pizza quite like this I am totally going to have to try this one out asap.

    Reply
  38. Nancy at Whispered Inspirations says

    September 18, 2017 at 3:00 pm

    This sounds really good. I love this take on pizza. Who doesn’t love Gouda Cheese? YUMMY!

    Reply
  39. Pam Wattenbarger says

    September 18, 2017 at 2:48 pm

    I don’t think I have ever eaten pheasant. This pizza sounds good! I never thought that pheasant would taste somewhat like ham.

    Reply
  40. Jaime says

    September 18, 2017 at 2:48 pm

    I’ve never had pheasant before – and I think this would have been a cool trip to be part of! The pizza sounds really good. I may need to try my hand at it soon!

    Reply
  41. Gingermommy says

    September 18, 2017 at 2:45 pm

    This sounds like a really delicious pizza! I am willing to bet that the kids would even love this. What an interesting take on Pizza.

    Reply
  42. Mimi Green says

    September 18, 2017 at 2:38 pm

    It sounds good and it looks good but the thought of eating pheasant is throwing me off. I’m not sure why because I certainly eat turkey and chicken with no issues.

    I had no idea they were so mean.

    Reply
  43. Jolina says

    September 18, 2017 at 2:06 pm

    I’ve never had pheasant before, I’m so curious to see what it tastes like! And this gouda pizza looks like a great way to do it. Yum.

    Reply
  44. Sarah Bailey says

    September 18, 2017 at 1:21 pm

    I don’t believe I have ever had pheasant, though I think there is a market stall that may sell it, perhaps I need to buy one and give this a try.

    Reply
  45. Teresa says

    September 18, 2017 at 1:05 pm

    I grew up eating all sorts of birds as my family is a family of hunters. Hunting season was a BIG deal! you name it, I’ve tried it. We even raised quails once as a Science project – they are mean little buggers!

    Reply
  46. candy says

    September 18, 2017 at 11:50 am

    Pheasant is a wonderful meat to make and eat. Nice you found a farm that can supply you with the necessary meat. That pizza sound wonderful.

    Reply
  47. Melissa Chapman says

    September 18, 2017 at 10:49 am

    I am vegetarian and don’t like killing animals but this is the country we live in. I would try and make that pizza minus pheasant and use some of those methods.

    Reply
  48. Tomi C says

    September 18, 2017 at 10:15 am

    I’ve never tried pheasant. I do love gouda though and I would be up to the challenge. I’ve mastered gouda and apple pizza so I think gouda paired with pheasant would be quite tasty.

    Reply
  49. Neely Moldovan says

    September 18, 2017 at 10:13 am

    This is totally something my hsuband would love. I am a plain pizza girl through and through but he loves his a little more fun!

    Reply
  50. hey sharonoox says

    September 18, 2017 at 9:44 am

    I’ve never tried any pheasant or game meat before but I’m curious to want to try it. This pizza looks so yummy. Wonder if it taste like chicken?

    Reply
  51. Tracey says

    September 18, 2017 at 9:35 am

    That pizza sounds amazing! I have never seen or eaten a Pheasant so I actually found this post really interesting!

    Reply
  52. Jeanette says

    September 18, 2017 at 8:37 am

    I have not ever tried pheasant. What an interesting idea on a pizza! I am always willing to try something new and this looks divine!

    Reply
  53. Amber Myers says

    September 18, 2017 at 8:32 am

    I must admit, I’ve never tried pheasant before, but now I’m intrigued. This pizza looks fabulous and delicious so I’d happily try it out. I need to see if there’s a place around here where I can taste pheasant!

    Reply
  54. Colleen Lanin says

    September 18, 2017 at 8:02 am

    Oh my gosh, that looks so good! Pheasant is such a delicious bird, but I don’t think I could ever farm them. I am a total carnivore, but I have to NEVER know the creature that I eat. LOL

    Reply
  55. Bill Sweeney says

    September 18, 2017 at 7:58 am

    That sounds amazing. I don’t think I’ve ever seen pheasant used like this before. I’ve only ever seen it on a plate in a dimly lit restaurant. Awesome.

    Reply
  56. Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says

    September 18, 2017 at 7:44 am

    That is the fanciest pizza I think I’ve ever seen! I absolutely adore pheasant, but I have never thought of putting it on pizza before! Yummo!

    Reply
  57. Robin rue says

    September 18, 2017 at 5:31 am

    We have a wild pheasant that roams around our neighborhood. Now I know what to do with him 😉

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

liz mays photo

Welcome!

I’m Liz! Thank you for visiting Eat Move Make. Here you will find a collection of easy & delicious year-round recipes, seasonal ideas and DIY craft inspiration as well as exciting travel destination ideas! Visit my About Me page for more of my story.

recipes in your inbox

Subscribe for the latest updates

Thank you!

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

.

Summer Favorites

chocolate oozing from side of black and white s'mores

Black and White S’mores (A Twist on the Black and White Cookie)

bowl of strawberry banana cheesecake salad with strawberries and bananas on top

Strawberry Banana Cheesecake Salad

patriotic jello cups in small clear cups

Red, White and Blue Jello Cups

hand holding spicy burger

Grilled Spicy Burgers

blueberry cheesecake salad

Blueberry Cheesecake Salad

A close up of a sandwich sitting on top of a table

Fiesta Burgers – Grilled Burgers with a Mexican Twist

slice of strawberry cream cheese pie

Strawberry Cream Cheese Jello Pie

dessert bars on plate

Red, White and Blue Bars

Slush and Strawberry

Skinny Strawberry White Wine Slush

firecracker cupcakes

Firecracker Cupcakes

Popular Posts

swamp soup in white bowls on white table with basket of corn muffins

Easy Turnip Green Soup (Swamp Soup)

hand holding symphony brownie

Symphony Brownies

close-up Bisquick impossible cheeseburger pie

Bisquick Impossible Cheeseburger Pie Recipe

mock chow mein casserole in dish on table

Mock Chow Mein Casserole Recipe

cranberry chili meatballs

Slow Cooker Cranberry Chili Meatballs Recipe

slow cooker turkey tenderloin

Slow Cooker Turkey Tenderloin with Maple Glaze and Wild Rice

A plate of cookies

Pistachio Pudding Cookies with Chocolate Chips

olive salad in bowl

Muffuletta Olive Salad Recipe

eat move make featured in graphic

Footer

Meet Liz

Meet Liz

Hey there, i’m Liz!

I’m the founder of Eat Move Make and a North Carolina mom of two humans and six cats. I love to cook, bake, craft and travel. I’m also addicted to tea (but not sweet tea).

When I’m not creating something in my kitchen, and since my kids are now adults, I’m all about my bucket list of travel destinations and adventures.

recipes in your inbox

Subscribe for the latest updates

Thank you!

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

.
©2022, Eat Move Make / About / Terms Of Use / Privacy Policy / Site by Pixel Me Designs