Delicious Goat Meat Recipes:

A Guide to Cooking Goat

Introduction

Goat meat, also known as chevon or mutton, is growing in popularity around the world. Goat is a lean, flavorful red meat that can be used in many delicious recipes of goat meat recipes. This comprehensive guide will provide tips for cooking goat and include 10 amazing goat meat recipes ideas.

With proper preparation and cooking, goat can be just as tender and tasty as other red meats like beef or lamb. The key is knowing how to bring out the best flavor while keeping the meat moist. Read on for tips and mouthwatering goat meat recipes that will make you want to add goat to your regular dinner rotation.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Benefits of Goat Meat
• Buying and Preparing Goat Meat
  • Choosing Cuts of Goat Meat
  • Portion Sizes
  • Marinating Goat Meat
• Cooking Tips for Goat Meat
  • Moist Heat Cooking Methods
  • Dry Heat Cooking Methods
• 10 Delicious Goat Meat Recipes
  • Goat Curry
  • Jalapeno Goat Tacos
  • Goat Stew
  • Goat Chili
  • Jerk Goat
  • Goat Burgers
  • Baked Goat Chops
  • Goat Biryani
  • Goat Meatloaf
  • Goat Gyros
• FAQs About Cooking and Eating Goat Meat
• Conclusion

Benefits of Goat Meat

Goat meat offers several health advantages over other red meats. Here are some of the top benefits of adding goat to your diet:

• Leaner than beef or lamb – Less total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol.
• High in iron – Goat provides more iron than other meats, helping prevent anemia.
• Anti-inflammatory – Goat contains conjugated linoleic acid that can reduce inflammation.
• Easily digestible – Goat has less connective tissue than lamb, so it’s gentler on digestion.
• [Link to source about goat meat nutrition benefits]

With its lean and nutrient-dense profile, goat meat can be a smart choice for those looking for a healthier red meat option.

Buying and Preparing Goat Meat

When working with goat meat for the first time, there are some important things to know when selecting cuts and preparing it for cooking.

Choosing Cuts of Goat Meat

• Leg – The leg is the largest cut; it can be roasted whole or separated into cuts like the shank, sirloin, and hind leg.
• Shoulder – This is another large, versatile cut that can be braised or cut into cubes for stews or kebabs.
• Loin – The loin provides lean, tender chops and medallions perfect for quick cooking.
• Rib – The rib section contains racks and chops with good marbling; slow cook or grill them.
• Shank – Shanks contain lots of connective tissue so they work well for braising until tender.
• Ground – Ground goat can substitute for beef in dishes like burgers or meatballs.

For stews and curries, opt for shoulder or shank. Quick-cooking pan fries or grilled dishes are best with loin or rib cuts.

Portion Sizes

Goat meat is leaner than beef or lamb so smaller portion sizes are typical. For a typical serving, plan for:

• 4 to 8 oz for chops, medallions, shanks
• 3 to 4 oz for stews or curries made with shoulder or leg meat
• 4 oz for ground goat burgers or meatballs

For a whole leg roast figure 16 to 24 oz per person if serving it as the main course. Adjust amounts depending on your needs.

Marinating Goat Meat

Marinating goat prior to cooking helps tenderize and infuse flavor. Some easy marinades for goat include:

• Yogurt – Soak goat for 8 hours or more in plain yogurt with garlic, ginger, and spices. The yogurt tenderizes the meat.
• Wine – A red wine vinegar and olive oil marinade infuses flavor. Add herbs like rosemary or oregano.
• Fruit juice – Pineapple, mango, or other fruit juices add tangy sweetness. Pair with soy sauce, honey, and spices.
• Dry rub – Coat goat with spices, salt, pepper, herbs before roasting or grilling.

Marinate goat for at least 2 to 8 hours, or overnight for maximum effect.

Cooking Tips for Goat Meat

Goat meat can be cooked using moist heat or dry heat methods. Here are some tips for the best results:

Moist Heat Cooking Methods

• Braising – Brown goat pieces first, then cook covered in a small amount of liquid like broth until fork tender.
• Stewing – Dice goat meat, coat in flour, then simmer in broth or sauce until soft.
• Curry – Cook goat pieces in a curry sauce flavored with onion, spices, herbs, and coconut milk.
• Chili – Brown goat chunks first, then simmer in chili sauce.

The long, slow cook times break down the connective tissue in cuts like shoulder or shank.

Dry Heat Cooking Methods

• Grilling – Grill chops, medallions, and steaks over high heat, about 4 minutes per side. Don’t overcook.
• Pan frying – Fry chops in olive oil over med-high heat until browned, about 2-3 minutes per side.
• Roasting – Roast a whole leg at 325°F until it reaches 140°F, about 18 minutes per pound.
• Broiling – Broil seasoned chops or steaks about 5 minutes per side until browned.

Use tender cuts like loin and rib for dry heat cooking over high heat. Cook just until lightly pink inside to keep the meat juicy.

10 Delicious Goat Meat Recipes

Looking for amazing goat meat recipes that showcase the great flavor of goat meat? Try these 10 crowd-pleasing recipes using a variety of cuts and global flavors:

Goat Curry

This easy Indian curry features tender goat in a complex sauce with tomatoes, ginger, garlic, and exotic spices. Serve it over rice or with naan bread.

Jalapeno Goat Tacos

Spice up taco night with flavorful barbacoa-style goat. The ancho chiles give it a touch of heat. Pile the tender meat onto warm corn tortillas.

Goat Stew

A comforting one-pot meal, this stew has melt-in-your mouth goat that slowly simmers with potatoes, carrots, and peas in a savory broth.

Goat Chili

Fire up this bold chili that uses ground goat in place of beef along with beans, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and the perfect blend of spices. Top with avocado, cheese, or sour cream.

Jerk Goat

Infuse Jamaican flavor into goat leg steaks with a spicy jerk marinade. Grill them over hot coals for an amazing island-inspired meal.

Goat Burgers

A lighter take on burgers, this recipe mixes ground goat with onions, peppers, and bold seasoning. Grill the patties to perfection and load onto buns with all the fixings.

Baked Goat Chops

Marinate meaty goat rib chops in a garlic-rosemary blend then bake until caramelized. Serve the elegant chops with a side of oven fries or rice pilaf.

Goat Biryani

In this aromatic Indian rice dish, bite-size goat pieces are layered with basmati rice, saffron, raisins, and spices for incredible flavor.

Goat Meatloaf

A family favorite, this comforting meatloaf gets an update with the addition of lean ground goat. Top slices with mushroom gravy for dinner.

Goat Gyros

Slice thin strips of well-seasoned goat sirloin, pack into pitas with cool yogurt sauce, tomatoes, and onion. It’s a quick weeknight dinner version of the Greek classic.

With endless possibilities for preparing goat, from stewing tough cuts to grilling or frying tender ones, these recipes offer a delicious sampling to inspire your own goat meat meals.

FAQs About Cooking and Eating Goat Meat

If you’re new to cooking and eating goat, you probably have a few questions about purchasing, preparation, and how it compares to other meats. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions:

What does goat meat taste like? Goat meat has a mild, sweet, earthy flavor compared to lamb or mutton. When properly raised and butchered, it can be nearly indistinguishable from beef or venison.

Is goat meat tough? It can be if not cooked properly. The key is to cook it slowly with moist heat or marinate tougher cuts. Well-prepared goat will be tender and juicy.

What’s the easiest cut to cook? Loin cuts like chops and steaks are the most tender and take well to quick, dry heat cooking. Shoulder and legs take longer but have great flavor.

How should I cook a whole goat leg? A whole leg can be roasted or braised. For roast goat leg, cook at 350F until it reaches an internal temperature of 165F, about 18 minutes per pound.

Is goat meat healthy? Yes, goat meat is lower in fat, calories, and cholesterol compared to beef, pork, or chicken. It provides lean protein, iron, and essential nutrients.

What’s the best way to marinate goat? Goat can be marinated for 8 hours or overnight in any acidic ingredients like yogurt, wine, citrus juice, vinegar, or fruit juices to help tenderize it.

Can I use goat in place of lamb or beef? Yes, goat makes a great substitute for lamb or beef in recipes. Adjust cook times slightly and marinate tough cuts. Ground goat works great in place of ground beef.

What are some common ways to cook goat globally? Goat curry is popular in the Caribbean, Indian, and African countries. Latino cultures use goat in tacos, tamales, birria. It’s also common in Greek and Middle Eastern cuisine.

Is goat meat expensive? Goat tends to cost slightly less per pound compared to beef depending on cut, averaging $7-12 per pound retail. It offers an affordable alternative to pricier meats.

Conclusion Of Goat Meat Recipes

Goat meat is growing in popularity for its lean, nutrient-dense qualities and mild, sweet flavor that can be substituted for beef or lamb in many goat meat recipes. With proper selection of cuts, marinating, and the right cooking methods, goat can deliver tender, succulent, and tasty results.

From Indian curries to Latin American tacos to American classics like burgers and meatloaf, goat meat recipes are versatile for many global cuisines. The recipes included here along with the tips for choosing and preparing goat provide a great starting point for those new to cooking and eating this flavorful meat. Don’t be afraid to try out goat meat – with the proper techniques, it can deliver delicious and healthy meals your family will request again and again.