The Differences Between Mutton Lamb and Goat Meat

Is goat meat good for you and what are the differences between mutton, lamb and goat meat. 

This post has been updated with a clearer comparison table (see below).

Goat meat is widely consumed throughout the world, but just how healthy is it?

To find out how healthy goat meat is we need to compare it with other popular meats on the market: mutton, lamb, beef and chicken.

We will look at the differences between them in terms of flavour, preparation, and their varying nutritional values.

Jump to:

• Goat Meat
• Goat meat around the world
• Varieties of goat meat
• 5 reasons goat meat is healthier
• How to cook goat meat
• Lamb meat
• Varieties of lamb meat
• How to cook lamb meat
• Mutton meat
• Varieties of mutton
• How to cook mutton
• Red meat recipes to try
• How to store red meat
• Comparison chart of cooked meats
• Related posts
• Reviews

Goat Meat

Goat meat is enjoyed by many throughout the world from Asia to Africa, South America, parts of Europe, and is increasing in popularity in the UK and America.

It is a red meat with a fine-grained flesh and ranges in colour from light pink to bright red. The tender cuts have a sweet but only slightly gamey flavour.

Goat meat around the world

Goat meat is something of a delicacy in France, Italy and Spain, and it is also very popular in the Central and South Americas where it is usually slow roasted.

In Asia, Africa and the Caribbean it is often prepared in the form of stews or curries.

In India so-called ‘mutton’ dishes are usually made with goat meat.

In fact, many South Asian countries, prefer using goat meat over lamb as it is leaner and tastes less gamey.

In the UK, goats are mainly bred for their milk so their meat is not commonly sold in supermarkets, but can be found in specialist butcher shops or some farmers markets.

Varieties of goat meat

Goats bred for their meat are usually castrated when they are around six to nine months old.

After castration they are known as wethers. Most are slaughtered when they are under a year for a tender, juicy meat with delicate flavour.

Meat from an un-castrated goat tends to be tougher with a rather strong ‘goaty’ smell and flavour.

5 reasons goat meat is healthier

Goat meat is:

1. low in calories
2. low in saturated fats
3. low amounts of cholesterol
4. high in iron
5. free from growth hormones

Goat meat is lower in calories, saturated fats, and cholesterol than beef, pork, lamb and chicken.

It also contains a higher amount of iron than beef, lamb and pork (see comparison chart below).

While some antibiotics might be present in goat meat, hormones are not approved for growth promotion in young goats.

These facts shows that goat meat is indeed a leaner and healthier option compared to equal servings of chicken, lamb, beef or pork.

How to cook goat meat

Goat is a surprisingly lean meat with little fat or marbling, so high temperatures will make it tough.

Less tender cuts are better suited to long, covered, slow cooking or roasting over low temperatures with a small amount of liquid, to preserve the moisture and break down the collagen in the meat.

The tender cuts from kid meat can be used in place of lamb in recipes. They are also suitable for marinating or tenderizing before grilling or barbecuing.

Lamb meat

Most sheep meat sold in the UK and US is lamb, because mutton is not as popular.

Varieties of lamb meat

A sheep in its first year is a lamb. Fresh lamb meat varies in colour from light pink to a pale red. Generally the darker the shade of pink, the older the animal.

Spring lambs, are milk-fed lambs. They are born in the winter and sold in Spring (around Easter).

Baby lamb meat will be pale pink, while regular lamb is a darker pinkish-red. The flavour and texture of this lamb is the mildest and most tender therefore fetching higher prices than that of cuts of older lamb or mutton.

How to cook lamb meat

Lamb is more fatty than goat meat and the fat tastes more gamey than the meat so if you are not keen on the flavour, trim off as much fat as you can and drain away the excess while cooking.

Some cuts of lamb have more marbling than others. One of the fattiest cuts is the shoulder which makes it ideal for slow-roasting.

Lamb is best seared at high temperatures and then slow-cooked, or grilled/braised, barbecued or roasted.

Lamb chops are a comparatively expensive cut as they are sold by weight and a large percentage of that is the bone and some fat. They are best suited to barbecuing or grilling on a high heat till they turn brown on the outside while remaining slightly pink inside which is fine to eat.

Leg of lamb is the leanest cut and therefore the least ‘gamey’. It is great for slow roasting, taking care not to let it become too dry.

Mutton meat

The meat of an adult sheep is mutton. The adult sheep is typically slaughtered when it is around two to three years old.

Varieties of mutton

Mutton has a deep red colour and is fattier than lamb. It is also tougher and the flavour is stronger and more gamey. This is because it contains a higher concentration of fatty acids which intensify as the animal becomes older.

The flavour tends to appeal more to those who prefer stronger tasting meats such as deer, wild boar and rabbit.

Mutton is now considered a slightly old fashioned meat as lamb and goat meat are more commonly consumed.

How to cook mutton

As Mutton is a tougher and fattier meat it is best slow-cooked or stewed to soften and break down the connective tissue.

It is also a stronger tasting meat, so it works well for sausages or other dishes where strong spices/flavours are used.

Red meat recipes to try

Goat meat is not easily available in the UK but these recipes with lamb meat can be made using mutton or goat meat.

• Zigni
• Spicy mince with eggplant
• Kashmiri dry lamb
• Lamb chops
• Shami Kebabs
• Lamb tikka

How to store red meat

The USDA states that for best quality, ground or cubed meat should be stored at 4℃/40℉ or below in the fridge and used within 2 days of purchase, and larger cuts within 3-5 days.

Red meat cuts will remain safe for years when wrapped properly and stored in the freezer at -18℃/0℉ or below.

Read more about how to store meat & poultry and colour changes.

Comparison chart of cooked meats

The Nutritional values below are for 100 g of roasted meats:

From U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. 2013. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 26. Nutrient Data Laboratory

Find more useful tips for the home cook such as how to cook meats to the correct temperature and why it’s best to not overcrowd the pan.

Related posts

This post was UPDATED March 25th, 2019 with a new photo and additional information.