Orange-Glazed South Carolina Dove on the Arteflame

Introduction

This Orange-Glazed South Carolina Dove recipe brings together the bold flavor of wild dove with a sweet citrus glaze, grilled to perfection on the Arteflame. With a steakhouse-quality sear and whisper-soft center, these marinated, seared, and griddled dove breasts will impress everyone. Using the reverse sear method, we lock in every drop of juicy flavor. The Arteflame's precise temperature zones and solid steel cooking surface let you grill everything—meat, sides, even fruit—at once, and with virtually no clean-up. Let’s fire it up and get cooking.

Ingredients

• 12 dove breasts, boneless and skinless
• 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
• Zest of 1 orange
• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper (optional for heat)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter (for grilling)
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
• Vegetable oil and 3 paper napkins (to light the grill)

Instructions

Step 1: Fire up the Arteflame grill

1. Pour some vegetable oil on three paper napkins.
2. Place the napkins in the center of the Arteflame grill.
3. Stack dry firewood over the oil-soaked napkins and light them.
4. Wait approximately 20 minutes until the center grate reaches 1,000°F and the cooktop griddle is hot and ready.

Step 2: Prepare the orange glaze marinade

1. In a bowl, mix orange juice, orange zest, honey, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic, red pepper, thyme, salt, and pepper.
2. Add dove breasts to a resealable bag or container and pour in the marinade.
3. Marinate for 30 minutes to 2 hours in the refrigerator.

Step 3: Sear the dove breasts

1. Remove the dove from the marinade and let them come to room temperature while the grill finishes heating.
2. Add a pat of butter to the center grill grate for flavor and searing.
3. Sear dove breasts for about 1 minute per side over the 1,000°F center grate to achieve a rich crust and lock in juices.

Step 4: Bring to temperature on the flat cooktop

1. Move the seared breasts to the flat cooktop, closer to the outer edge where temperatures are slightly lower.
2. Continue cooking, turning occasionally, until internal temperature reaches about 135°F (pulling from heat at this stage for a final target of 150°F).
3. Brush with remaining marinade or glaze as they finish cooking for added flavor and shine.

Step 5: Rest and serve

1. Let the dove breasts rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing or serving.
2. Sprinkle with coarse finishing salt if desired and garnish with fresh thyme or citrus slices.

Tips

• Always rest meat after grilling; it redistributes juices and finalizes cooking.
• Use a digital thermometer for accurate internal temperatures.
• Don’t overcrowd the grill; give each breast enough space to sear and cook evenly.
• Use butter instead of oil for better flavor on the flat griddle.
• Brush glaze during the last minute so the sugars don’t burn on the sear.

Variations

1. Spicy Carolina Dove: Add 1 tbsp hot sauce to the marinade and sprinkle dove breasts with cayenne pepper before searing for a spicy twist.
2. Garlic-Herb Dove: Swap orange juice with lemon juice and add extra minced rosemary and oregano to the marinade for a herbal pop.
3. Maple Balsamic Dove: Use 2 tbsp maple syrup and 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar in place of honey and orange for rich, earthy sweetness.
4. Peach-Glazed Dove: Replace orange juice with peach nectar and add thinly sliced grilled peaches to the serving plate for a Southern summer touch.
5. Asian Citrus Dove: Use lime juice, fish sauce, and grated ginger in the marinade for bright, sweet umami layers.

Best Pairings

• Side: Grilled sweet potatoes with brown butter and thyme
• Salad: Arugula with citrus segments and shaved fennel
• Drink: A chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc or a bourbon cocktail with orange zest
• Dessert: Grilled pineapple over vanilla ice cream

Conclusion

Grilling South Carolina dove on the Arteflame is a flavorful and rewarding experience. The simplicity of the glaze and brilliance of the reverse sear brings out the extremely tender, juicy nature of dove meat while enhancing it with a citrusy punch. With the versatile cooking zones and no-fuss cleanup, this is a perfect recipe to showcase your grilling skills the Arteflame way.