Goat vs Lamb Meat Recipes and Directions to Cook

Both sheep and goats belong to the Bovidae family, and you will notice both having a remarkable resemblance in their behavioral patterns and eating habits. But the taste in their meat is different, and the nutrients they provide. So, today we are focusing our blog on goat vs lamb meat, their similarities, and differences. All of which will help you identify them and choose the right one that suits your health best! Scroll down, and you are sure to learn everything you possibly need to know about goat and lamb!

Goat and sheep meat vocabulary

The meat that you get from sheep is known as;

• Hogget
• Lamb
• Mutton

You get hogget and mutton from a matured sheep that are slaughtered within 2 to 3 years of age.

Lamb from the sheep that are young and slaughtered lesser than one year of age. You will notice both hogget and mutton to be oilier and darker in color. When compared to lamb, both hogget and mutton possess a stronger taste.

Goat vs lamb meat

When you are talking about goat vs lamb meat, it is essential you talk about the tenderness of the meat.

Lamb’s flavor is delicate

Lamb meat possesses a pale pink shade or darker red. In general, the darker you see the meat to be, the older is the animal it comes from.

You will notice lamb meat to be slightly fatty that possess a gamy flavor. If you are not very fond of gaminess, then you can trim the fat to reduce it.

If you love the flavor and taste of lamb, you can try out grilling, barbecuing, braising, or roasting. When you are cooking in larger amounts, it is preferably best you slow roast it.

Mutton’s taste is bolder

Hogget or mutton is meat you get from adult sheep. It possesses a much deeper red color and is much fattier. The strong and gamy flavor is present in mutton, and it is tricky to remove it. That’s because it contains enormous amounts of fatty acids that give it the bold flavor.

If you prefer mutton, then it is best you slow cook or stew it. Also, you can try using mutton as a sausage filling with loads of spices present in them.

Goat meat come from younglings

Chevon is another name for goat meat. They are usually slaughtered when they are less than one year. Similar as we call young sheep lambs, the young goats are known as kids.

The goats that are killed for the meat are basically wethers or neutered males. At the young age of 9 months, the goats are slaughtered. The animal at this age is fleshed out, and the meat is tender and juicy. More so, the meat imparts a delicate flavor.

If the goat is not castrated, then it would have a strong flavor and gamy scent. Plus, the goat meat would be tougher.

Since goat meat possesses little fat or marbling, cooking them at low temperatures for long periods will help in maintaining both tenderness and moisture. You can try out marinating, barbecuing, or grilling the meat to allow the moisture and tenderness to remain.

Goat vs lamb meat – nutritional comparison

Both the meats from young sheep and goats are referred to as red meat. The makeup of meats is different from each other, and both possess a varied nutritional value too.

Health benefits of consuming goat meat

Now that you know goat vs lamb differences, let us check out the health benefits of consuming goat meat:

Proteins, fats, and cholesterol

Both mutton and lamb are fat and contains more than two times the calorie present in goat meat. As a matter of fact, lamb contains more than nine times the fat present in goat meat or chevon. So, it is evident, the amounts of saturated fats and cholesterol are much more than goat meat.

Moreover, the monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat contents present in lamb meat are much higher than chevon or goat meat.

However, the amount of protein present in the goat is much higher than that present in the meat of sheep. Both the meats are low in fiber and carbohydrate content. Plus, they possess a low amount of glycemic index, which is almost equivalent to zero.

Vitamins

You will notice the vitamin content of goat meat and lamb meat quite different from each other. The lamb meat contains high amounts of vitamins D and B6. Also, it possesses an adequate amount of all other B vitamins and vitamin K.

On the other hand, goat meat possesses almost no vitamin D and vitamin B6. More so, goat meat possesses low amounts of all other B vitamins and contains higher amounts of vitamin E.

Neither lamb nor goat meat contains vitamins C, A, or folic acid. However, in general, sheep meat contains a wider variety of vitamins than goat meats.

Minerals

The sodium present in goat meat is higher than that lamb meat possesses. But lamb does contain high amounts of magnesium. Goat meat possesses large amounts of calcium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, and copper.

Both lamb and goat meat does contain calcium. However, the overall mineral content is higher in goat meat.

Micronutrients

You will notice both goat and lamb meat contain significant amounts of amino acids such as lysine, threonine, and tryptophan. But if you compare the contents, lamb contains more lysine, and goat possesses the other two amino acids in higher amounts.

Fatty acids

People having heart problems can consume goat meat. That is because the polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids present in goat meat have a preferable ratio.

It is particularly true if you consume the meat from goats that are grain-fed. However, it is best you keep in mind that consuming goat meat that is grain-fed can contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in an undesirable ratio.

However, in general, grass-fed goats or any other animals can be better as it reduces the chances of developing cardiovascular and arteriosclerosis problems.

Lamb meat contains high amounts of conjugated linoleic acid, which many other meats might lack. So, this presence can reduce the chances of cancer, diabetes, and coronary heart ailments.

Goat vs lamb – cooking techniques

Before we tell you the difference in cooking goat and lamb, it is essential for you to note that both are livestock that has to be cooked with utmost care. That is because if they are not cooked well, it might increase the chances of Toxoplasma gondii infection.

Plus, both the meat contains high amounts of pathogens that can resist antibiotics, such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

The United States Department of agriculture suggests that it is best to cook at 145-degree Fahrenheit for safety. You can always use a food thermometer to be sure the internal temperature of the food is correct or not.

If you are cooking lamb or goat meat chops, roasts, or steaks, the temperature must be 160-degree Fahrenheit. It is the safest temperature of meat that is ideal for consumption.

Goat vs lamb – which meat is better for health overall?

You will notice goat meat to contain more protein and fewer amounts of fat. So, in general, it is a much healthier choice than lamb meat even though both possess significant amounts of minerals, protein, and vitamins.

So, it is your choice if you want to choose one type of meat of both. However, goat meat is comparatively healthier.

Now that you know that goat is a healthier option let us check out some fantastic recipes to try at home.

Recipes of goat to try at home

Check out the following recipes you can try out at home:

Goat stew

Goat stew is a Filipino stew that is oftentimes known as caldereta. You need to consume this with white rice. It is best you marinate it for six hours. Check out in detail what you need to do:

Recipe Summary

Preparation time: 30 mins

Cooking time: 1 hrs 10 mins

Additional time: 1 hr

Total: 2 hours 40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

Here are the following ingredients you would require:

• Goat meat – one pound (cut in large pieces)
• ¼ cup of soy sauce
• ¼ cup of vinegar
• Garlic – 4 cloves
• Vegetable oil – 1 tablespoon
• Onion – one chopped
• Red bell pepper – cut into one-inch squares pieces
• Tomato sauce – one cup
• Beef stock – two cups
• Potato – one peeled, cut into big pieces
• Carrots – two pieces cut into big chunks
• Green peas – half cup
• Salt – half teaspoon
• Pepper – ¼th teaspoon
• Cayenne pepper – one pinch

Directions

Step 1 :

In this step, you have to mix the goat meat with soy sauce, garlic, and vinegar in a bowl. Then, cover it and keep it in the refrigerator for around one to eight hours. If you want the flavors to really infuse into the meat, then let it marinate for a minimum of six hours. After that, take out the meat from the remaining marinade and dry it using paper towels. Keep the garlic cloves and remaining marinade aside.

Step 2:

Take some vegetable oil in a pot and place it on medium to high heat. Then, start browning the goat meat, preferably in batches. Please do it for about 10 to 15 minutes. Keep the remaining goat meat aside. In the same oil, add the red bell pepper, garlic cloves, and onion from the marinade. Keep stirring it until the onions turn translucent for around five minutes. Then, pour the tomato sauce and allow the mixture to boil for around 5 minutes.

Step 3:

In that mixture, add the goat meat. Then, empty out the beef stock and remaining marinade. Let the mixture come to a boil, then reduce the heat to a low. Use a lid to cover the goat until it tenderizes. It is best you keep it in the same manner for around 30 to 40 minutes. Finally, add the peas, carrots, and potatoes. Start seasoning the stew with cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Please keep it on simmer until everything softens. You can adjust the seasonings accordingly.

Black pepper goat curry

This particular goat curry is from South India. The primary ingredient in this goat curry is black pepper and curry leaves apart from the meat. You will find the flavors of both curry leaves and black pepper to take this goat curry to the next level. The black pepper goat curry is best had with rotis and rice.

Recipe Summary

Preparation time: 30 mins

Cook time: 1 hr

Total: 1 hr 30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

Here are the following ingredients you would require:

• Onion – one chopped
• Vegetable oil – one teaspoon
• Fresh curry leaves – half a cup
• Black peppercorns – two tablespoons whole
• Ground coriander – two tablespoons
• Water – half a cup
• Vegetable oil – 3 tablespoons
• Onions – two thinly sliced
• Ginger – two-inch piece (minced)
• Garlic – 5 cloves (minced)
• Cayenne pepper – two tablespoons
• Salt – one tablespoon
• Ground turmeric – one tablespoon
• Tomato paste – half a cup
• Goat meat – one pound (cut into one-inch cubes)
• Water – half a cup

Directions

Step 1:

Take a saucepan and heat one teaspoon of oil on medium. Add the chopped onion and cook it till it turns translucent. Wait until the edges start to brown within 7 minutes. Then, scrape out the onions and blend them well in the blender. Put it aside.

Step 2:

Put the saucepan on the stove and keep stirring the peppercorns and curry leaves. Allow it to cook and keep stirring until your curry leaves turn dry within 5 minutes. Put in the coriander and allow it to cook for another minute. Please take out the curry and blend it in the blender again with half a cup of water. Keep blending it until your mixture turns into a paste.

Step 3:

Take around three tablespoons of oil and allow it to heat on medium. Keep stirring the sliced onions and keep cooking until the onions are translucent and soft for about 5 minutes. Now, add the garlic, ginger and keep cooking it until garlic turns mellows. Add the salt, turmeric, and cayenne pepper and keep stirring for around two minutes.

Step 4:

Add in the goat meat, pureed peppercorn sauce, tomato paste, and water. Mix it well and reduce the heat to medium to low. Cover it and allow it to cook unless the meat turns soft within 30 minutes. Serve hot with steamed rice.

Final Thoughts

As we come to the end of our blog today, we hope that you know the differences between a goat vs lamb. It is evident that both have high levels of nutrition, but they indeed differ from each other. However, it is always best you keep in mind that both goat meat and lamb are red meat. So, consuming any one of them in excessive amounts may cause health hazards. It is best you consume them in moderation to keep yourself away from any health problems.