Many of us still consider goat meat to be an unusual delicacy that is only ever enjoyed when dining in a Middle Eastern or Indian restaurant.
Some people believe that goat meat is a tough, barnyard meat that is somehow less desirable than beef, pork or lamb. Well in this article we are going to show those people the way of the goat and outline all of the incredible benefits of goat meat, including its status as a lean protein.
From superb Caribbean goat curries to Vietnamese spicy-wok tossed goat with chillies, goat meat is a versatile red meat that delivers a wonderful rich flavour.
Great flavour is not the only thing that goat meat has going for it. It’s also great for our planet and full of health benefits.
If you’ve never tried goat or are sceptical to even consider goat meat as a replacement to the more common beef or pork, then continue reading to discover why it’s time to put goat meat on the menu!
What Does Goat Meat Taste Like?
Before we get started with the benefits of goat meat, we’d thought we just give you an overview of what goat actually tastes like.
The natural flavour of goat meat can be quite mild and doesn’t have any of the gaminess that you would find in say, Lamb. It is incredibly adaptable to other flavors, showcasing its culinary versatility, hence why it is most commonly used in curries and stews.
To simplify things for you, its taste lies somewhere between pork and dark meat chicken.
Goats are Good for our Planet
The first thing to note about goat is that they are great for our planet. They are one of the few domesticated animals that actually leave the land a little better than they found it, making them a key component of sustainable farming. They do this by subsisting on the weeds and plants that other animals ignore.
They can play a vital role in a farm’s ecology too. For example, once pigs have scavenged an area of woodland, goats will follow through and hoover up the remaining brush, weeds and grass. A good way to think of goats is like little lawn-mowers!
Goat Is perfect for Slow Cooking
Goat is the ideal meat for a slow cooker curry or stew. The mild flavour stands up well to rich spices such as cardamom or cloves without overpowering them. It’s an all-round great neutral meat that lets the spices take centre stage in any dish.
To ensure maximum teamwork on the flavour front between the spices and the meat, goat meat should be marinated overnight. This gives the spices more time to penetrate deep into the meat, resulting in a tender texture and a real depth of flavour.
After marinating your meat, we think the absolute best way to cook it is via a slow cooker. The rich depth of flavour acquired during the marinating process will truly present itself once the goat has been slow-cooked for around 5 hours.
It is irresistible, melt-in-the-mouth meat that is, quite rightly, continuing to grow in popularity throughout the UK.
It's low in Fat
When it comes to the many health benefits of eating goat meat, let’s start with its low fat content.
Goat meat is leaner than the more common meats on the market such as beef, pork or lamb.
For every 85g serving of goat meat, there are around 122 calories and just 2.6 grams of fat. If we compare these figures to the same-sized serving of beef, you are looking at 245 calories, so more than double the amount! 85 grams of beef also has roughly 16 grams of fat so almost 16 times the amount that of goat meat.
It's low in Cholesterol
In addition to its low-fat content, goat meat is also low in cholesterol counts.
In fact, out of Pork, Chicken, Lamb and Beef, goat has the lowest number of cholesterol counts. For every 85g of goat meat, there is around 63mg of cholesterol. Beef on the other hand has round 73mg of cholesterol whilst chicken has 76mg per 85g serving.
Goat meat has lower overall fat, saturated fat and cholesterol levels than other, more common meats like Beef, Pork and Lamb. The below table really puts things into perspective when comparing goat to the more popular meats in the UK.
| Cooked Meat | Calories | Fat (g) | Saturated Fat (g) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Cholesterol (mg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goat | 122 | 2.58 | 0.79 | 23 | 3.3 | 63.3 |
| Beef | 245 | 16 | 6.8 | 23 | 2.9 | 73.1 |
| Pork | 310 | 24 | 8.7 | 21 | 2.7 | 73.1 |
| Lamb | 235 | 16 | 7.3 | 22 | 1.4 | 78.2 |
| Chicken | 120 | 3.5 | 1.1 | 21 | 1.5 | 76 |
Goat Is High in Protein
On the protein side of things, Goat offers around 23 grams of protein per 85g serving.
Goat meat, like many other types of red meat, is a rich source of protein that helps maintain muscular health and supports muscle growth. It boasts a similar essential amino acid profile to that of chicken, beef and pork too.
All of this means that goat is a lean meat that provides all the essential amino acids without adding any unnecessary calories.
It's Rich in Calcium & Potassium.
Goat meat is rich in calcium and potassium, which are essential for bone health.
For every 100g of goat meat, you are looking at around 385mg of potassium. For the same amount of beef, you will find around 316mg of potassium whilst chicken has just 223mg.
Potassium is, of course, great for maintaining healthy blood pressure and for ensuring hearth health. It helps regulate fluid balance and is one of the most important minerals for the bodies nervous system.
Packed Full of Vitamins
Moving on to the vitamin side of things, Goat meat has high levels of Vitamin B6 & Vitamin B12. Vitamin B6 performs a variety of functions in the body, including supporting the immune system, and is extremely versatile. Vitamin B12 plays an essential role in the bodies production of red blood cells as well as keeping the nervous system functioning properly.
Goat meat also has several micronutrients that are great for the body. Nutrients such as selenium and choline, which are powerful antioxidants that reduce the risk of developing cancers and heart disease.
High Levels of Iron
The level of iron found in goat meat trumps all of the other, more common meats we consume on a regular basis, making it an excellent choice for anemia prevention. For around 85 grams of goat meat, you are looking at 3.3mg of iron. This amount doubles chickens 1.5mg and beats out beefs 2.9mg.
Low In Sodium
Finally, goat meat has very low levels of dietary sodium, especially when compared to chicken and beef. The low sodium content makes goat the perfect red meat for anyone looking to reduce their sodium consumption, but not sacrifice on flavour or texture.
Andy
Ever since I started cooking I’ve been fascinated by how different people’s techniques are and how they best utilise the ingredients around them. Even the person living next door will have their own unique way of frying an egg or cooking a salmon fillet.
This fascination led me on a journey across the globe to discover the countless practices and traditions the world of cooking has to offer. I thought you’d enjoy and find value in sharing that journey with me so I created Cooked Best!