Goat Meat Recipes You Have To Try (2024)

Published · By Anna Chesley · Leave a Comment

If you've never cooked with goat meat before, it's high time! From curry to kebabs, from Jamaica to Mongolia, this diverse list of must-try goat recipes from around the world is a great place to start!

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A few weeks ago, I started taking advantage of the amazing online pre-order system offered by the farmer's market of our closest small city. It works out really well, because the pickup times happen to coincide with my daughter's violin lesson right nearby. I love it when these little logistical miracles happen.

One thing I love about this particular farmer's market is that it offers some foods I don't tend to see in the other rural Maine markets, and that's no surprise since this quirky little city is home to a gloriously diverse population.

In fact, over the last decade, an influx of refugees and asylum seekers has absolutely revitalized what used to be a depressing (and by every metric, dying) old mill town.

There's a particularly vibrant Somali population. Some of my favorite vendors at the market are families who grew up farming in Africa, and now farm here in Maine. It makes my soul sing a little bit when we visit their colorful booth and my kids and I get welcomed like long-lost relatives.

Among the less-common offerings of this multi-ethnic market, is goat meat.

Y'all, I have never in my life cooked goat meat. In fact, I've only tasted it once--in an an Ethiopian restaurant in New York.

But that one taste was enough to make me realize that goat meat is something that we're really missing out on here in the US.

Now that I have a reliable source of ethically-raised, pastured goat meat, I'm on a mission to do it justice by learning to cook some classic goat meat recipes from around the world.

What follows is my personal top-10 list of recipes that I want to cook my way through this year. Want to join me?

10 must-try goat recipes from around the world

Zigni

This recipe from Nicole at End of the Fork really jumped out to me, because it looks EXACTLY like the goat meat dish I had that one time in New York, and has been hovering in my memory like a delicious dream ever since. Zigni is a delicious spicy & aromatic stew made with berbere seasoning.

Try this recipe!

Sfakiano Goat Yiahni

I have a real weakness for anything with the flavors of Greece, so this recipe really called to me. Plus, how perfectly succulent does that meat look? This simple and flavorful goat dish orginates from the Sfakia region of Crete.

Get the recipe here!

Indian Style Goat Curry

I think I'm going to declare a "goat curry" month, and try a curry recipe from a different region of the world every week. This goat curry is an Indian style dish with pieces goat in a fragrant sauce that includes mint and cardamom!

Get the full curry recipe here!

Jamaican Goat Curry

Next in the curry lineup is one from Jamaica! This one is a hearty, savory goat and potato curry recipe that includes lots of bold, delicious spices including coriander, ginger, and paprika. Enjoy Jamaican-style curried goat with rice and peas for a complete and satisfying meal!

Check out the recipe here!

Kambing Rendang (Indonesian mutton/goat curry)

Ok, if you only click through one recipe in this list, make it be this one. The photos alone are enough to make you want to jump on a plane to Jakarta! This recipe from Oh Sweet Citrus looks AMAZING.

Learn to make Indonesian goat curry here!

Goat Kofta Kabob (Kebab) Recipe

I have never tried a recipe from Hilda, over at Hilda's Kitchen Blog, that I didn't absolutely love. I have a hunch we're all going to feel the same way about thisGoat Kofta Kabob recipe, which uses tender goat meat that’s perfectly seasoned with Middle Eastern spices and is charred over an open flame.

Get the Kabob recipe here!

Khorkhog

If you've ever wanted to try cooking using flaming hot stones, THIS is the recipe to try! We are in homeschool project territory here. Khorkhog is the real Mongolian BBQ. It consists of goat cooked in large metal containers with vegetables and hot stones.

Learn to make Khorkhog here!

Citrus-cured goat salad (tai de)

This is another recipe you're going to want to click through to, JUST for the scenery! The setting of the video for this recipe is stunning. This beautiful and fragrant goat salad recipe comes from Vietnam, and I can't wait to try it.

Learn to make Tai De

Grilled Goat Chops with Galangal & Lemongrass (De Nuong Rieng Xa)

Another Vietnamese dish, these goat chops are marinated with a lemongrass and galangal mixture that imparts a wonderful flavor before the chops are quickly grilled. I think this is going to be the first recipe I make once I get out the grill this spring!

Get the recipe here!

Instant Pot Goat (Mutton)Biryani

We've been reading the delightful little novel, Book Uncle and Me, this week. It's set in India and because of it, I've been wanting to try making Biryani--but honestly couldn't imagine making the time for it. THIS delectable Biryani recipe hoewever, is made weeknight-easy by enlisting the help of an Instant Pot. I can't wait to try it!

Check it out here

Don't these goat meat recipes all look amazing? I think I'm going to start with that Jamaican goat curry from A Spicy Perspective, while I wait for my order of spices to come in at the local food co-op, so I can try some of the others. Living in Maine, things like galangal can be elusive to find on the grocery store shelves!

How about you? What recipe would you be most excited to try? Do you have a favorite goat meat recipe to share? I'd love to hear about it in the comments!

Happy cooking!

Anna Chesley

Website | + posts

Anna Chesley is a freelance writer living a homestead lifestyle, with a special love for family travel, old books, vintage skills, and seaside living. In addition to founding Salt In My Coffee, she runs the website, New England Family Life, as well as The 1800's Housewife, a website devoted to re-creating authentic 1800's recipes.

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Goat Meat Recipes You Have To Try (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to cook goat meat? ›

The best way to cook goat meat is to cook it slowly, preferably in a slow cooker, at a low temperature, and with plenty of moisture. Moreover, goat meat should never be served rare; it must be thoroughly and well cooked in order for it to be appealing. Flavorful additions tend to make goat meat delicious.

What is the popular menu or dish from goats meat? ›

Here are some of the most popular international dishes that feature goat meat: 1. Jamaican curried goat: This classic stew features goat meat seasoned with thyme, turmeric, coriander, cumin, and Scotch bonnet peppers, served atop rice and beans.

What is the most tasty part of the goat meat? ›

These include bone-in or boneless goat loin roasts, goat tenderloin, goat loin chops and saddle chops (when two goat chops are cut together). Goat chops in particular are one of the most popular cuts of goat meat and are most often grilled or pan-fried.

Should I boil goat meat before cooking? ›

In this classic, the goat meat is steamed first to make the meat tender and also to get some stock. The meat is then fried and then added to a deeply flavourful tomato-based stew with spices like cloves, ginger, garlic onions and aniseed. This stew is perfect and best served with plain boiled rice or vegetable rice.

What seasonings are good for goat meat? ›

Goat meat is not as sweet as beef. Because of its savory characteristic works well with bold flavors: curry, pineapple, chilies, onion, garlic, wine (red or white), red pepper, coriander, rosemary, etc.

What do you soak goat meat in before cooking? ›

Marinate goat meat in vinegar or wine with oil and seasonings in the refrigerator for 12 to 24 hours, turning occasionally. Remove goat, strain marinade, and reserve. Place potatoes, onions, chiles, and garlic in shallow roasting pan and pour 1/4 cup of marinade over vegetables.

What flavors go well with goat meat? ›

In a bowl, combine chopped fresh herbs such as rosemary, thyme, parsley, minced garlic, lemon zest, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Incorporating these herbs and seasonings creates a rich, aromatic marinade that will infuse the goat chops with flavor.

What does goat meat do to the body? ›

Goat meat is low in saturated fats and has more of the recommended unsaturated fats. Goat meat also has lower levels of cholesterol compared to other meats. Low cholesterol and low saturated fat in the diet may help to decrease the risk of developing heart disease. Goat is a good source of high quality lean protein.

Which goat meat is tasty male or female? ›

The meat of older goats is darker and less tender, but juicier and more flavorful than kids. The meat from male goats is lighter in color and lower in fat. The meat from female goats is more desirable for steaks and chops because it is more tender.

What is the number one goat meat? ›

1. Boer Goats: Boer goats have garnered immense popularity in the meat production industry due to their exceptional growth rates and high meat-to-bone ratio.

How many minutes does it take goat meat to cook? ›

Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer until meat is partially tender, 30 to 40 minutes. Stir in potato, carrots, and peas; season with salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Simmer until goat meat is very tender and potato and carrots are cooked through, 20 to 30 more minutes. Adjust seasonings before serving.

Why is goat meat not sold in stores? ›

Because other more flavorful meats (beef, pork and chicken, etc.) are readily available to Americans at far lower prices than goat meat is. Goats provide very little for the amounts of food that they require, their meat does have a strong almost gamey flavor to it; and it can be difficult to prepare properly.

Why is my goat meat chewy? ›

Goat meat is lean, which means it contains less saturated fats and cholesterol. However, while its leanness is seen as a nutritional advantage, it also means that goat meat can dry out quickly during cooking. To counter this, cooking goat meat in enough water is best to avoid an overly chewy eating experience.

How do you make goat meat not chewy? ›

Use wet cooking methods as opposed to dry. Braising and stewing are good cooking methods for less tender cuts of meat like goat. Flatten the meat with a tenderizing mallet or score it across the fibers with a sharp knife. This will break up the muscle fibers making them softer resulting in a more tender piece of meat.

How long should I cook my goat meat? ›

Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer until meat is partially tender, 30 to 40 minutes. Stir in potato, carrots, and peas; season with salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Simmer until goat meat is very tender and potato and carrots are cooked through, 20 to 30 more minutes.

Does goat get more tender the longer you cook it? ›

Since goat meat is lean, with little fat, it will toughen up if cooked at high temperatures without moisture. Don't treat goat like lamb and serve it rare. It should be cooked thoroughly otherwise it will be tough and unappetising. Goat benefits from long, slow cooking in order to break down the collagen in the meat.

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