Confit Quail Recipe: Tender Spanish Olive Oil Classic Dish (59) 2026

Confit quail is one of those dishes that looks far more complicated than it really is. The birds are simply submerged in good olive oil and cooked gently over a low flame until the meat turns silky and tender, a technique that keeps this lean poultry from drying out.

Because quail is so small and lean, slow poaching in olive oil is the kindest way to cook it. The garlic, bay leaf and black peppercorns perfume the oil, and that same oil goes on to glaze the little onions and tomatoes that round out the plate.

The whole thing comes together in about an hour, most of it hands-off, which makes it a fine choice for a celebration without stress. Two quail per person is the right portion, since one alone feels a bit skimpy.

Serve it with the sweet-tart vegetables and a spoonful of garlic cream, and you have a plate worthy of the best company. Any leftovers can be escabeched in the confit oil with a sofrito of onion and carrot and plenty of vinegar.

Ingredients for Confit Quail

Serves 2 (two quail per person)

• 4 quail
• Salt
• 500 ml extra virgin olive oil
• 1 head of garlic
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
• 150 g pearl onions
• 150 g cherry tomatoes

How to Make Confit Quail Step by Step

1. Sear the quail

Choose a pot that holds the 4 quail snugly without piling them up, so they keep their shape and you can use just the right amount of oil. Set it over high heat, salt the quail and sear them in a little olive oil in batches of two.

2. Add aromatics and cover with oil

Once the quail are golden all over, lower the heat and settle them into the pot. Add 1 head of garlic split in half, 1 bay leaf and 1 teaspoon of black peppercorns, cover with 500 ml of extra virgin olive oil and cook over low heat for about 30 minutes.

3. Turn and finish cooking

After that time, carefully turn the quail over and let them cook at low temperature for another 30 minutes on the other side.

4. Brown the pearl onions

While the birds finish, take 2 tablespoons of oil from the pot, put them in a skillet over medium heat and brown 150 g of peeled pearl onions.

5. Add the cherry tomatoes

When the onions are tender, add 150 g of cherry tomatoes, previously washed, and sauté for about 3-4 minutes more.

6. Make the garlic cream

Remove the garlic from the pot, which will also be confited by now, and crush it with a fork until you have a smooth cream.

7. Plate and serve

Drain the quail from the oil and save that oil for other preparations. Plate the birds and arrange the pearl onions and tomatoes around them, serving the garlic cream alongside as an accompaniment.

Tips for the Best Confit Quail

Why confit keeps quail juicy

Confiting in low-temperature oil is what keeps these birds succulent, since their meat is so lean that other cooking methods dry it out easily. Keep the flame low and resist rushing the process.

Pick the right pot

A pot that fits the quail snugly means you need less oil to cover them and the birds hold their shape. Sear them in batches so they brown properly rather than steam.

Plan the accompaniments

While the quail cook you can prepare potato parmentier, roasted vegetables or grilled mushrooms. Here the pearl onions and cherry tomatoes bring just the right touch of sweetness and acidity.

30 Favorite Recipes I Keep Coming Back To at Home

Maybe you're wired the same way I am: your kitchen rotation is a blend of cozy standbys, well-loved dishes from around the globe, and sweets that make a crowd happy.

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For quick morning meals and lighter plates, I regularly whip up these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And whenever my pantry needs a gluten-free basic, this no-fuss Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe does the trick.

On evenings built around tapas and Mediterranean tastes, I cycle through this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, golden Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, silky Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This elegant Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe also comes out whenever the occasion calls for a little extra polish.

For stick-to-your-ribs midday meals and comforting suppers, my go-tos are this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply savory Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and velvety Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. When I'm after something even more substantial, I turn to this oven-baked Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the supremely cozy French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

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Even More Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After countless rounds of testing and tweaking in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the finest dishes are built on straightforward steps, dependable methods, and serious flavor.

The recipes gathered here are the ones I genuinely cook on repeat—whether it's a fast solo meal or something festive for the people I love.

On the sweet side, the lush, velvety Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is my pick when I want a dessert that feels fancy yet comes together without fuss. Another treat I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled on the celebrated Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture helps a lot, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When light and easy is what I'm after, I lean on the timeless Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly done Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For more filling comfort fare, I frequently suggest the crowd-pleasing Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the luscious Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the speedy weeknight go-to One Pot Pasta Recipe.

Sharing dishes from across the globe is another joy of mine, among them the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the traditional Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is yet another category I turn to often, since it delivers speed without sacrificing texture. The ones I make most include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be indulgent, cheesy, and deeply comforting without any gluten.

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