Gary Engberg Outdoors

gengberg August 31st, 2010

Easy Suet Recipes
Our readers are our best resource! Here some of the best and easiest suet recipes that were tested and approved by birders.suet
Breakfast for the Birds

When I put this treat in my suet feeders, the activity immediately increases!

* 1-1/2 cups quick-cooking oats (not instant)
* 2 cups boiling water
* 1/2 cup chunky peanut butter
* 3/4 cup suet (or vegetable shortening)
* 1/2 cup birdseed
* 1 cup yellow cornmeal
* 1 cup Cream of Wheat cereal (not instant)
* 1/3 cup dry cranberries, chopped
Cook rolled oats in boiling water in a large saucepan for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly until very thick. Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter and suet until melted. Stir in remaining four ingredients. Cool and shape as desired.

I often make a double batch of this mixture. I also use trail mix, nuts, berries and even peanuts if I have them on hand because the birds love it. You can store this in the freezer and use as needed. -Debbi Barate, Seward, Pennsylvania
The birds will go crazy for these suet cakes!

* 1 cup cornmeal
* 1 cup sugar
* 1/2 cup flour
* 1 cup water
* 1 cup birdseed
* 1 cup peanut butter
* 1 cup raisins
Mix everything together in a mixing bowl. Microwave on high for 3 minutes and then stir. Pour half of the mixture into a plastic container about the size of a square suet feeder. Press it down, put wax paper on top and then add the rest of the mixture. Put a lid on the container and freeze. The birds will love it! -Diana Clapper, Central City, Pennsylvania
No-Melt Suet

Because of the heat in Oklahoma, suet can become a real mess. Luckily, I’ve found a no-melt suet recipe that allows me to serve this treat all year long.

* 2 cups quick-cooking oats
* 2 cups cornmeal
* 1 cup flour
* 1/2 cup sugar
* 1 cup lard
* 1 cup crunchy peanut butter
Combine the oats, cornmeal, flour and sugar in a large bowl. Melt the lard and peanut butter (I use my microwave oven) and add to the dry ingredients. Mix well.

Pour the suet into a square pan about 2 inches deep, or spread it directly on tree limbs. -Virginia Barnard, Okmulgee, Oklahoma
Feathered Friend Delight

Here is an easy recipe to attract a variety of feathered friends.

* 2 cups peanut butter
* 1 cup uncooked oats
* 1/2 cup honey
* 2 small boxes of raisins
* 1 sup Special K (toasted corn) cereal
Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Smear inside your suet feeder. If you’d like, you can also refrigerate the mixture for an hour or so, and shape it into balls for a tray feeder or suet cage. -Denise Oteri, Weymouth, Massachusetts

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