5 Best Goat Breeds for Meat
I do not relish the idea of raising goats for the sole purpose of eating them. But this can be a sustainable option for those of you who have the room to raise goats for this purpose. If you have dabbled with this idea, you will have come across a list of hundreds of possible breeds.
The big question is, which ones are the best for meat? That is the very question that I intend to answer in this article.
So, without further ado, let’s dive right in and get started!
Is Goat Meat Healthy?
Yes! Goat meat is actually a very healthy alternative to other red meats as it is naturally lean while also being nutritious. Overall, goat meat has less fat, less saturated fat, more iron, and a similar protein content when it is compared to beef, chicken, lamb, or pork.
The fact that goat meat is leaner than other meats tells us that it will contain fewer calories, and as such a good option for those of you who want to eat lean meat while being conscious of your caloric intake.
Which Goat Breeds are Ideal for Meat?
There are a lot of goat breeds to choose from if you are keen to start growing your own sustainable meat. The big question is, which breeds are actually the best for meat? Well, that is exactly what we are going to cover in this section.
Below, I have listed five of the best goat breeds that are known for producing high quantities and high-quality meat.
1. Boer Goat
The boar goat is one of the best options for meat. They were first developed in South Africa with the sole purpose of producing meat. This is a very hardy breed and one that can thrive easily.
On top of that, the meat that these goats produce is among the best quality, which is why they are one of the most popular meat goats.
2. Kalahari Red Goats
If you are looking for another strong, and hardy goat that is excellent for meat, you might want to consider the Kalahari red. They are another South African goat which is even more robust and tougher than the Boer goat.
3. Kiko Goats
This breed of goat was first developed in New Zealand. They are large animals that grow fairly quickly. They may not be as stocky as Kalahari reds or Boer goats, but they are known for their high-quality meat.
4. Savanna Goats
These goats are also called white Boer goats and are yet another South African breed. The stunning white coat is why they tend to be very pricey. These are very muscular animals with short goats and loose skin around the shoulders. If you want a good meat goat, this is a breed you should certainly consider.
5. Spanish Goats
These goats are also known as brush boats and include six main breeds such as Tinerfena, Murciana-Granadina, Guadarrama, Malagliena, Palmera, and Majorejera. Before Boer goats were made popular, the Spanish goats were the most popular and were not common throughout the world. Even today, they are widely used for meat.
Final Thoughts
I hope that you have enjoyed reading this article and learning about these amazing goat breeds. Raising goats for food is not for everyone, I personally struggle with the concept, but it can be a sustainable source of meat, which is actually a very good thing in a world like the one we live in.
If you have enjoyed reading this article, make sure to peruse our site. We cover a variety of different topics from Common Goat Health Conditions to Types of Gardening and more. You are sure to find something that will be useful or just plain interesting to learn about.
Thanks for reading! Bye-bye for now!
FAQ
In this section, I am going to answer some of your most frequently asked questions covering goat meat and the different breeds that are available for this particular purpose. So, without further ado, let’s dive right in and start!
What Does Goat Meat Taste Like?
There are not many places where you can purchase goat meat, commercially at least. As such, a lot of people have not really tasted this meat and are curious about what it tastes like. This type of meat has a bold yet gamey flavour which can be overwhelming. It is also mildly sweeter than both beef and lamb. When you are cooking this meat, I recommend pairing it with strong flavours that will help to tone down that gamey favour.
What is Goat Meat Called?
The name used for goat’s meat will vary depending on the part of the world you are from. In the world of sheep, mutton is used to refer to meat from an older sheep, while lamb is meat from a young sheep.
However, in the world of goats, mutton is what you call goat meat. It is sometimes called goat mutton as well. But as I said, the name of goat meat will vary depending on where you are from. This is merely the case in the UK.
What is the Best Way to Cook Goat Meat?
Goat meat can be cooked in any way that you would cook lamb or mutton. However, because this is a very low-fat meat, I recommend that you cook this meat slowly on low heat. If you are cooking burgers, sausages, chops or steams you can pan-fry barbecue or oven-bake the beat and get amazing results.
Should You Soak Your Goat Meat?
The lack of fat in goat meat means that there can be a lot of moisture loss, as such the meat can get very tough and dry if you are not careful. It is for this reason goat meat is cooked very slowly or moderately. In fact, you should cook this meat with a sauce for the best results.
What Does Your Goat Meat Taste Bitter?
This phenomenon happens when the meat has been overcooked. When this happens, there can be an unpleasant taste in the meat. There are also certain organs and pieces of meat that will naturally have a mild bitterness.