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The Best Episodes of MeatEater

Every episode of MeatEater ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of MeatEater!

The Best Episodes of MeatEater

Hunter, author, cook and conservationist Steven Rinella treks into the world's most remote, beautiful regions, bringing game meat from field to table.
  1. Background image for Bush Pig: New Zealand Wild Boar
    9.0/10(7 votes)

    #1 - Bush Pig: New Zealand Wild Boar

    S2:E5

    Steven Rinella and local Wild Pig legend, Darren Moore, spend a wild, action-packed day tracking down Captain Cook boars in the thick New Zealand bush. Their tools for the job include two little pig dogs, a knife, and some real grit. These pigs are tenacious and possibly dangerous to both the men and the dogs, and this is as visceral as a hunt gets. When success is had, Steve learns an eye-popping technique for field-prepping whole hogs.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  2. Background image for Cooking Special: Giving Thanks
    9.0/10(7 votes)

    #2 - Cooking Special: Giving Thanks

    S2:E8

    The Pilgrims didn't get their turkey at the store and neither does Steven Rinella. On this special Holiday episode Steve cooks three enticing dishes: Wild Turkey Galantine, Smoked Black Bear Ham, and his take on the traditional Mincemeat Pie. Appetites will run large as Steve makes a special meal for his family and friends.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  3. Background image for Sea Bear: Alaska Spring Bear and Seafood
    9.0/10(8 votes)

    #3 - Sea Bear: Alaska Spring Bear and Seafood

    S4:E1

    Steven Rinella ventures out to his hunting and fishing shack on a remote coastline of southeast Alaska’s Prince of Wales Island. While hunting bears from a skiff and a canoe, Steve gathers a variety of prime seafood and makes a discovery about his own motivations as a bear hunter.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  4. Background image for Land of the Giants: Idaho Mule Deer (2)
    9.0/10(6 votes)

    #4 - Land of the Giants: Idaho Mule Deer (2)

    S6:E5

    The quest for a giant mule deer buck in Idaho continues as Steve and Ryan get closer to their prey -- and the slow-cooked roast of their dreams.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  5. Background image for First Timers: Montana Mule Deer featuring Joe Rogan and Bryan Callen (2)
    8.9/10(7 votes)

    #5 - First Timers: Montana Mule Deer featuring Joe Rogan and Bryan Callen (2)

    S3:E10

    The second installment of a two-part episode covering the first hunt taken by comedians Joe Rogan and Bryan Callen. If all goes well, Steven Rinella will treat these newbies to traditional camp meals such as buck liver cooked with onions and a whole venison head roasted in a bed of coals.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  6. Background image for South Texas Redfish and Flounder
    8.9/10(8 votes)

    #6 - South Texas Redfish and Flounder

    S9:E1

    Steve and chef Jesse Griffiths target redfish and sea trout with guide JT Van Zandt and flounder with Captain David Dupnik and end up with a feast.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  8. Background image for First Timers: Montana Mule Deer featuring Joe Rogan and Bryan Callen (1)
    8.8/10(8 votes)

    #7 - First Timers: Montana Mule Deer featuring Joe Rogan and Bryan Callen (1)

    S3:E9

    In this two-part episode, television personality Joe Rogan and his best friend, comedian Bryan Callen, join Steven Rinella on a float trip for mule deer through the rugged Missouri Breaks, hunting and camping along the way. This is as adventurous of a first hunt as anyone could hope for, and Steven’s special guests are in for a memorable experience in some gorgeous country.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  9. Background image for El Venado Blanco: Mexican Coues Deer
    8.8/10(5 votes)

    #8 - El Venado Blanco: Mexican Coues Deer

    S3:E15

    Steven Rinella returns to his favorite hunting grounds of Sonora, Mexico to hunt for Coues deer during the peak rutting season. Steve sets camp in the high country and spends days glassing for these small and elusive deer while his hunting partner, Remi Warren, tries to stalk one with a bow. To cap off the hunt, Steve cooks a batch of venison ribs braised in a Dutch oven buried beneath the coals.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  10. Background image for Up at the Cabin: Prince of Wales Island Black Bear with Paul Neess
    8.8/10(6 votes)

    #9 - Up at the Cabin: Prince of Wales Island Black Bear with Paul Neess

    S5:E16

    Returning to his hunting shack on Prince of Wales Island, Steve uses a canoe to quietly slip up on his exciting but dangerous prey: giant black bears.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  11. Background image for Into the Clouds: Sitka Blacktail Deer
    8.7/10(23 votes)

    #10 - Into the Clouds: Sitka Blacktail Deer

    S1:E1

    Steve wants to hunt where few have hunted before. To gain access to pristine ground, he charters a float plane to drop him high in the Alpine zone of Alaska’s Coastal Rainforest at a little used landing spot. He plans to spend three days alone in the wild hunting for black tail deer. The primary challenges are steep and technically challenging terrain, drifting fog banks, and nearly incessant rain and snow. If he lands a black tail, Steve plans to cook up Rock-Pounded tenderloin to feast on before the float plane returns to bring him back to civilization.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  12. Background image for The Top of the Bottom of the World: New Zealand Tahr (1)
    8.7/10(7 votes)

    #11 - The Top of the Bottom of the World: New Zealand Tahr (1)

    S2:E6

    Steven Rinella gears up for a massive climb into New Zealand’s Southern Alps in pursuit of Chamois and Tahr. Guide and friend, Remi Warren, will show Steve the ropes of hunting the high-country of New Zealand’s alpine. The men will travel light and hunt for food as they go, basing out of an alpine hut as they locate their quarry. This hunt turns adventurous quickly; with an impassable glacial river between Steve and his goal, things get dangerous and intense.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  13. Background image for The Top of the Bottom of the World: New Zealand Tahr (2)
    8.7/10(7 votes)

    #12 - The Top of the Bottom of the World: New Zealand Tahr (2)

    S2:E7

    Steven Rinella continues his hunt in New Zealand working towards his ultimate goal. Featured meals will be rock-grilled Chamois, Tahr Tartar, and a mountaintop Tahr-B-Q.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  14. Background image for Primal Cuts: Bone-In Cooking Special
    8.7/10(7 votes)

    #13 - Primal Cuts: Bone-In Cooking Special

    S3:E14

    In this cooking special, Steven Rinella shows his fans some of his favorite preparations for big, bone-in cuts of red meat. Interspersed with highlights from his recent caribou, buffalo, and mule deer hunts, the show features recipes that utilize some of the most underappreciated parts of big game animals. This episode is an attractive and delicious tribute to Steve’s gun-to-table ethic.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  15. Background image for Sky Island Solitare: Backpack Hunting Coues Deer in Arizona
    8.7/10(10 votes)

    #14 - Sky Island Solitare: Backpack Hunting Coues Deer in Arizona

    S5:E9

    Steve embarks on a quiet solo hunt in southern Arizona to stalk the wary and elusive Coues deer and savor some rare alone time in the desert.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  16. Background image for Strange Hunt in a Strange Land: New Zealand Red Stag
    8.6/10(8 votes)

    #15 - Strange Hunt in a Strange Land: New Zealand Red Stag

    S2:E4

    Steven Rinella flies halfway around the world to take on the mystical Red Stag in one of the most beautiful settings in the world—New Zealand’s South Island. Steve learns whether his North American hunting skills will translate for these foreign beasts.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  17. Background image for The Greatest Draw: Alaska Dall Sheep (1)
    8.6/10(7 votes)

    #16 - The Greatest Draw: Alaska Dall Sheep (1)

    S3:E2

    After drawing one of the most coveted big game permits in North America – a Tok Management Area Dall sheep tag – Steven Rinella heads out for a truly rare and epic Alaskan experience. Along with two buddies, Steve is dropped deep into the Tok backcountry. After a rugged hike through nasty weather, Steve’s skills and fortitude are tested against his elusive, high-climbing quarry.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  18. Background image for Sonoran Superbirds: Mexico Gould’s Turkey
    8.6/10(8 votes)

    #17 - Sonoran Superbirds: Mexico Gould’s Turkey

    S3:E4

    Steven Rinella crosses the border to call in and chase some big Gould’s turkeys. Of the five turkey species in North America, the Gould’s is the largest and is heavily protected in the US. On this unique Mexican adventure, Steve will be hunting with friend and expert Jay Scott, who knows the area better than anyone. After their successful hunt Steve will use special, locally-sourced charcoal to grill up a big, brined, delicious bird.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  19. Background image for Bull By Boat: British Columbia Moose
    8.6/10(8 votes)

    #18 - Bull By Boat: British Columbia Moose

    S4:E3

    Steven Rinella and his buddy Ryan Callaghan float a remote river on a moose hunt that results in some of the most dangerous moments in Steve’s life as a hunter. The two hunters travel far from civilization in a raft to search for the massive moose that call the area home.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  20. Background image for Burger Extravaganza: Cooking Special
    8.6/10(10 votes)

    #19 - Burger Extravaganza: Cooking Special

    S5:E4

    Tackling the subject of ground game meat, Steve shares recipes from his "Wild Game Cookbook" sure to improve any chef's burgers, meatloaf and more.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  21. Background image for The Sweetest Meat: Alaskan Black Bear
    8.5/10(14 votes)

    #20 - The Sweetest Meat: Alaskan Black Bear

    S1:E2

    To find the best-tasting game meat, you have to earn it. As the cold Alaskan winter approaches, bears flock to the high country of Alaska's Chugach Range while feasting on cranberry and blueberry. As summer turns to fall, the bears have exhausted low-elevation fruit and their quest to fatten up pushes them into higher and less accesible terrain. The hard work and long hike pays off, as berry-fed black bears provide some of the finest tasting meat available to the American hunter. The meat is so good, that Steven Rinella plans to fry it in it’s own fat as a celebratory meal if he is lucky enough to land a bear on this trip.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  22. Background image for The Northern Rockies: British Columbia Grizzly (1)
    8.5/10(6 votes)

    #21 - The Northern Rockies: British Columbia Grizzly (1)

    S4:E5

    Steven Rinella and his buddy Ryan Callaghan, a British Columbia guide, hike into the steep backcountry of northern British Columbia in search of grizzlies. This alpine adventure includes some intense and up-close bear action – almost too close.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  23. Background image for Deer the Hard Way: Prince of Wales Island featuring Joe Rogan and Bryan Callen
    8.5/10(18 votes)

    #22 - Deer the Hard Way: Prince of Wales Island featuring Joe Rogan and Bryan Callen

    S5:E3

    Comedians Joe Rogan and Bryan Callen keep the mood light as they join Steve for some Sitka blacktail deer hunting in the mountains of Alaska.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  24. Background image for Alaska Moose (1)
    8.5/10(13 votes)

    #23 - Alaska Moose (1)

    S7:E2

    Steve's friends Janis and Papa Janis join Steve on a moose and caribou hunt in east-central Alaska that's the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  25. Background image for The Water's Edge: Waterfowl in Alaska
    8.4/10(11 votes)

    #24 - The Water's Edge: Waterfowl in Alaska

    S1:E3

    For a waterfowler's dream hunt, Steven Rinella joins his friend, the wildlife biologist Brandt Meixell, on a river boat journey to some untouched Alaska wetlands in search ducks and geese. Using tactics ranging from decoy hunting to jump shooting, they try to fill their boat and their bellies with a constant supply of duck meat. Featured meal is willow-spit roasted whole duck.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  26. Background image for Stalking the Grey Ghost: Arizona Coues Whitetail Deer
    8.4/10(9 votes)

    #25 - Stalking the Grey Ghost: Arizona Coues Whitetail Deer

    S1:E5

    To hunt some of the most elusive game, the predator must become its prey. Steven Rinella drew a tag to hunt the elusive Coues Deer in the stark mountains of southern Arizona, where his spot and stalk skills will be pushed to the limit hunting these tiny, ghostlike deer. To successfully take a deer Steve will have to become equally invisible, quiet, and attuned to his surroundings...he will need to become a desert ghost. In tune with the local culture, Steve will pack a small kit of tortillas, chiles, and all the fixings to prepare fire-grilled heart tacos.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

Best Episodes Summary

"Bush Pig: New Zealand Wild Boar" is the best rated episode of "MeatEater". It scored 9/10 based on 7 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 10/21/2012. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Cooking Special: Giving Thanks".