British Boer Goat Society

Goat Meat?

What is goat meat called?

The meat which comes from goats is referred to by several different names across the world. In the UK it is usually referred to simply as goat or sometimes kid.

Chevon has been selected by some as being a cross between the words chevre and mouton. Being French for goat and mutton respectively.

The words capretto and cabrito are also used but these generally refer to a very young animal, eaten before it has begun to graze and usually cooked whole similar to chicken.

Animals are usually butchered into joints similar to those cuts from lamb and as such take the lamb names for the joints.

Goat meat facts

Taken from: "use of goat milk and goat meat as therapeutic aids in cardiovascular diseases" Dr John R. Addizzo, M.D., Staten Island Medical Centre, New York.

3oz Cooked(Roasted)	Calories	Fat (g)	Saturated fat (g)	Protein (g)	Iron(mg)
GOAT¹	122	2.58	.79	23	3.2
BEEF²	245	16	6.8	23	2.9
PORK²	310	24	8.7	21	2.7
LAMB²	235	16	7.3	22	1.4
CHICKEN²	120	3.5	1.1	21	1.5
Sources
USDA Handbook #8, 1989 Nutritive value of foods, home and garden bulletin number 72, USDA, Washington, D.C., US Government Printing Office, 1981

This table contains both oz. and g. It has been taken in its entirety from the named reference

What does Goat Meat taste like?

This has to be the most commonly asked question. It can be difficult to answer as whilst it is tempting to say it tastes like 'Goat' it is important to emphasise that it does not taste 'Goaty'! Many people are concerned about the potential for goat meat to take on the typical male goat odour, which is considered by many to be obnoxious. This is most certainly not the case with good quality meat. In fact goat tastes much like lamb or a combination of lamb and beef and can some times be a little gameier.

How can I try some goat meat?

Often the best way to obtain meat is to buy direct from the breeder. Contact your nearest member who should be more than happy to discuss Boers and goat meat products with you. They should also be able to supply meat or suggest someone who can. Failing this some members have private web pages and meat can be purchased via the internet.

How do I cook Goat Meat?

Goat can be cooked in any way in which you would cook lamb. As goat is significantly lower in fat than lamb it is recommended that joints be cooked a little slower and cooler. Chops and steaks can be pan-fried, grilled, barbecued or oven baked. Mince and stewing meat can be used to make sausage and burgers and also substituted anywhere in which you would use lamb. As with all meats, cooking joints in a slow cooker traps in all the flavour and moisture and creates a fantastically succulent joint where the meat will fall from the bone with ease. Goat can be cooked with mint and rosemary and is wonderfully complemented by a fruit jelly such as red currant or simply by mint sauce, it also lends itself to Mediterranean style herbs such as thyme, basil, marjoram and oregano.

So how will I sell my meat?

Currently most meat is sold directly from the farm and subject to abiding by the necessary regulations you should find the meat soon sells in this way. Popularity for farmers markets is rapidly increasing and some breeders are finding them a successful alternative to the farm gate. Internet sales can be taken into consideration if you are able to package your products for posting or are able to deliver. Should your herd become large enough local butchers are often interested in putting goat on as a special or indeed as a regular.