There are countless varieties of meat available around the world. While trying the more recognizable ground beef, chicken breast, and pork chops may be tempting, these exotic meats will genuinely take your taste buds on a journey. With so many types of meat out there, choosing which one to eat can be hard if you prefer something with a touch of exotic flair.
There are so many types of meat that you’d never even think about eating. If you choose the correct exotic meat subscription box, you’ll not just get deer or crocodiles either. Below are some of the cool exotic meats you can expect.
Bison
Bison, or buffalo, is delicious meat to try. It tastes similar to beef but is a bit sweeter and leaner. Bison meat is lower in fat than beef, making it healthier for you. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) rates bison as “low fat” and “extremely low in cholesterol,” with fewer calories than most other meats. Bison also contains higher amounts of iron, zinc, and vitamin B12 than other meats.
Bison has been around for over 5,000 years and was one of the primary sources of food for Native Americans. Today, bison can be found in many grocery stores and restaurants across America.
Turtle
If you’re looking for something exotic, try turtle meat! Humans from all over the world have eaten turtles throughout history, especially in many Asian nations, such as China, Korea, and Japan. The most common turtle eaten by humans is the red-eared slider turtle — but many other types are eaten, too, including snapping turtles and alligator snappers.
Turtle meat has a unique taste that some people love and despise; however, it can be prepared in many ways, like most other meats. Turtle meat contains high cholesterol, protein, and calcium levels, making it a nutritious option if prepared properly. Also, it has a yellowish color tinge due to its high iron content, which makes it very tasty!
Armadillo
The armadillo is a small, slow-moving mammal native to South America. Yet, it can be found as far north as Louisiana, Texas, Kansas, and Oklahoma. This delicious animal has a bony shell on its back that protects it from predators. It’s similar to pork but has a texture more like chicken. The taste is somewhat gamy, which also makes it identical to venison. However, if you try an armadillo, ensure it’s adequately cooked — over-cooking will make it tough. The armadillo is also a popular dish in South America, where it’s often grilled over an open flame and served with rice, beans, and fried plantains.
Ostrich
The meat of an ostrich is often compared to beef and becoming increasingly popular as exotic meat because it’s much cheaper than beef or pork. Ostrich has been consumed for thousands of years by people worldwide, including in Australia and South Africa, where ostrich farms have been established since the early 1860s. Approximately 6 pounds of feed are required to produce 1 pound of ostrich meat, compared with 12 pounds for beef and 7 pounds for pork. The flavor is similar to lean beef with a slightly musty aftertaste that some people find off-putting at first but eventually grows on them.
Kangaroo
In Australia, kangaroos are considered pests and are often hunted for meat. The protein content of kangaroo is high, the fat content is low, and there is no cholesterol in it. It also contains nearly twice as much iron as beef. Kangaroo meat is often used in recipes that call for beef or venison since it can be substituted easily and imparts a similar flavor.
Elk
Among the deer family, elk are the largest, standing 6 to 8 feet tall at the shoulders and weighing up to 1,000 pounds. It is common to find elk in North America and Europe, and they have been farmed since the late nineteenth century when European settlers introduced them. Elk meat is very lean, with only 3 grams of fat per 100 grams of cooked meat compared to 17 grams per 100 grams of cooked beef.
It is also lower in calories than most meats at about 150 calories per serving – almost half that of venison or beef steak! You can substitute elk for venison or beef in many recipes without changing the amount of cooking time or seasonings used in preparation.
Wild Boar
Wild boar are large pigs that are native to Europe and Asia. The meat of Wild boar has a strong, gamey flavor that many love because it reminds them of pork chops or bacon. It can be prepared as roasts, chops, and sausages but should always be cooked until well done because they have very little fat and may dry if not cooked properly.
Conclusion
If you are a meat lover looking to get adventurous, or even if you want to try something new, we think these exotic meats (Turtle, Ostrich, or Elk) are worth delving into!
Visits to your local markets can be an adventure, but you may not know where to start regarding different types of meat. We’ve listed below seven exotic types of meat worth trying and explained what they are, where they come from, and what they taste like to help you sample some new dishes the next time you’re at the market.
