{{Short description|Raw beef dish}} '''Tiger meat''', also called a '''cannibal sandwich''' or a '''wildcat''', is a raw beef dish in Midwestern American cuisine. It consists of raw ground beef with onion and salt and pepper, often served with rye bread,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2017-08-08 |title=cannibal sandwich |url=https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS6076 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528024445/https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS6076 |archive-date=2023-05-28 |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=Wisconsin Historical Society |language=en}}</ref>, or as a dip with crackers. Despite its name, it does not contain tiger flesh.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Huber |first=Makenzie |date=2019-08-22 |title=What is tiger meat? Why raw beef became a South Dakota food favorite |url=https://www.argusleader.com/story/life/2019/08/22/what-tiger-meat-origin-south-dakota-food-favorite-raw-beef-tartare/2054004001/ |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=Argus Leader |language=en-US}}</ref>
Tiger meat was first introduced in the United States by German immigrants.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Ryan |first=Rachel |title=Why did the raw meat cannibal sandwich become so popular in Wisconsin? And why has it stayed that way? |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/life/green-sheet/2021/08/31/why-raw-meat-cannibal-sandwich-endures-what-the-wisconsin/7906831002/ |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=Journal Sentinel |language=en-US}}</ref> It is similar to the German food called {{lang|de|Mett}} with minced raw pork or beef.<ref name=":2" /> States such as Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, and Texas often feature this dish.<ref name=":1" /> It is also served in Wisconsin at holiday parties and other festive events.<ref name=":0" /> People often eat tiger meat to preserve German traditions.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Patel |first=Vimal |date=2020-12-18 |title=A Raw Meat Sandwich Warning Draws Eyes on Wisconsin (and More Warnings) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/18/us/cannibal-sandwich-wisconsin.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302022920/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/18/us/cannibal-sandwich-wisconsin.html |archive-date=2024-03-02 |access-date=2024-03-02 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> It is also known as "cannibal sandwich",<ref>{{Cite web |last=McCoy |first=Mary Kate |date=2019-03-29 |title=Cannibal Sandwiches: A Polarizing And Misunderstood Wisconsin Tradition |url=https://www.wpr.org/food/cannibal-sandwiches-polarizing-and-misunderstood-wisconsin-tradition |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=WPR |language=en-US}}</ref> "wildcat",<ref name=":1" /> "parisa", “raw dog”, "yohactus"<ref>{{Cite web |title=Eighth Generation|url= http://tomahfamilies.com/Tomah%20Family%20Trees/Pergande,%20(Unknown)/b1405.html|access-date=2025-04-14|language=en-US}}</ref> and "raw beef and onions".<ref name=":0" /> The origin of the name is not known.<ref name=":1" /> In southern Brazil, this kind of meat is called {{lang|pt|carne de onça}} ("jaguar meat").
== Public health concern == The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has urged against consuming tiger meat for risk of contracting ''E. coli'' and ''Salmonella''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wong |first=Wilson |date=2020-12-16 |title=Don't eat 'cannibal sandwich,' 'tiger meat' dishes of raw beef, Wisconsin officials warn |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/don-t-eat-cannibal-sandwich-tiger-meat-dishes-raw-beef-n1251415 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302003300/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/don-t-eat-cannibal-sandwich-tiger-meat-dishes-raw-beef-n1251415 |archive-date=2024-03-02 |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> The United States Department of Agriculture suggests cooking the ground beef used in tiger meat to 160°F (71°C) to eliminate the possibility of foodborne illness.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lichtman |first=Sarah |date=2018-12-17 |title=Tips for Eating Cannibal Sandwiches this Holiday Season |url=https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/blog/tips-eating-cannibal-sandwiches-holiday-season |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302005621/https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2018/12/17/tips-eating-cannibal-sandwiches-holiday-season |archive-date=2024-03-02 |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=U.S. Department of Agriculture |language=en}}</ref>
==See also== {{portal|Food}} * Basashi * Çiğ köfte * Crudos * Kibbeh nayyeh * Kitfo * List of meat dishes * Steak tartare * Crudo alemán * Mett
==References== {{Reflist}}
Category:Raw beef dishes Category:Uncooked meat dishes Category:Cuisine of the Midwestern United States