Kangaroo meat is an exotic delicacy that few people have tasted. Italy has pizza and spaghetti, Spain has tapas, and Australia has kangaroo meat. Curious about trying it?
What does kangaroo taste like? The meat is gamey. It has a bold taste with a mild hint of gaminess. It tends to be stronger in flavor than beef or lamb but not as flavorful as venison.
Here are the basics you need to know: nutrition, taste, and how to cook it perfectly if you’re at home.
About
Here are the basics you need to know, such as nutrition, taste, and how to cook it perfectly if you’re at home.
The meat is produced in Australia from wild animals and is shipped to over 60 countries worldwide. It is sourced from abundant species that are harvested in the wilderness.
What animal is a kangaroo?
Australian Kangaroos are marsupials, which means they carry their young inside them until they are born. They also have huge hind legs, which help them jump high. They are native to Australia, New Guinea, and Tasmania.
This animal is often called a wallaby or a kangaroo. They are herbivores, meaning they eat plants. Their diet consists mainly of grasses, leaves, fruits, seeds, flowers, and bark.
Is it OK to eat kangaroo meat?
They aren’t farmed; they live in the wild. This implies that the meat is constantly exempt from antibiotics, growth hormones, and added chemicals.
This is more sustainable than other meat sources, such as beef farming, where cows are raised for meat. They’re surprisingly drought-resistant and need less water than cattle or goats.
According to a press release from the Australian Ministry of Agriculture, four species of harvested Australian animals are commercially exported for overseas markets, including red, eastern grey, western grey, and common wallaroo.
They breed like rabbits and are known for decimating farms if left alone. So eating the meat means it isn’t wasted.
Legalized in South Australia in 1980, it has become a prominent meat.
Is kangaroo meat good to eat?
It is nutritious! It’s a source of protein (slightly higher than beef), iron, and zinc, which makes it a good source of these nutrients. It also has omega-3s, which are usually associated with fish.
Kangaroo is also very lean meat with less than two percent fat.
It is a rich resource of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) than other meats such as beef and pork. CLA could help decrease cancer risk by blocking enzymes that promote cancer growth.
Is kangaroo meat better than beef?
It is a healthy alternative to beef. It is lean meat with less than 2% fat, rich in protein, essential B vitamins, minerals such as zinc and iron, omega-3 fats, and omega-6 fatty acids.
It has twice as much iron as beef and three times as much as chicken and pork.
Does kangaroo meat have worms?
They carry a naturally high parasite load. A summary of relevant research shows that a single gray meat can be infected with as many as 30,000 parasitic worms.
They don’t always carry parasites, but the meat is not contaminated if they do.
Furthermore, all commercially sold in Australia have been tested for the presence of parasites and deemed safe for human consumption.
What Does Kangaroo Taste Like?
Does kangaroo meat taste like beef?
Kangaroo meat is gamey and tastes different from beef or lamb, but some say it’s not as strong as venison.
It tastes like a cross between venison and buffalo. But, even though it is very lean meat, it’s not tough like venison can sometimes be.
Does kangaroo meat taste like chicken?
No, it doesn’t taste like chicken. But it does taste like steak.
Does a kangaroo have the taste of a wallaby?
The taste is different from a wallaby. It’s much less gamey and has a delicate texture that’s best compared to veal.
Summary
- Flavor: Bold, earthy, gamey flavor
- Texture: Lean, chunky fibers
- Color: Dark red
- Aroma: Strong gamey smell
How to Eat
Tips for cooking
Cooking this meat at home is like cooking the perfect steak, as it is best served medium rare. That said, it’s a fantastic center for any meat dish, such as burgers, sausages, casseroles, and meatballs.
When cooked correctly, the meat will be tender, more so than that of deer.
However, kangaroo is 98% lean, which must be cooked on high heat until rare or medium rare. The main tip to remember when cooking it at home is that it can dry out quickly with overcooking, thanks to its low-fat content.
A slightly overcooked steak will produce an unpleasant, dry meal tough as old boots. Undercook it, and it’ll be chewy.
If you only like to eat meat cooked well, then beef or white meat as chicken, is probably a better option.
Popular ways to cook kangaroo meat
There are a few ways that Aussies like to enjoy:
Kanga Bangas (Kangaroo Sausages)
This type of sausage is a popular choice at a bbq. Kanga Bangas are much leaner than the pork alternative.
Kangaroo Steak
The possible cuts include fillet steak, loin/roast, rump sirloin, or flank meat. You can cook it rare, serve it with potatoes and veggies, or cut it into chunks for a slow-cooked curry or stew.
Kangaroo Mince
It can be a low-fat alternative to classic beef dishes. Try making lasagne or burgers.
Can you eat raw kangaroo?
The Australian of Food Safety suggests that it should be cooked thoroughly before eating it. Then it should be cooked at temperatures of 160 degrees Fahrenheit or above for two minutes or longer.
Raw meats from any living thing may be present on the surface. They will multiply within your body if you eat them without cooking them first.
Methods to Cook
Open-flame grilling
You must also ensure that the cutlets sit in milk for around three to four hours before grilling them so they don’t get dried out.
Braising
You may want to cook sweet potato mashed potatoes, along with turnip, carrot, and turnip, with the roasted ones to give it a different taste and texture.
Making soup
You can also use the leg bone broth you made earlier to make soup. It’s delicious and can easily be topped with crouton for added crunch.
You can also make the tail soup by slow-cooking the tail with wine, chicken, and spices and serving it with chili and black bean dip.
FAQs
Is kangaroo meat legal in the US?
Yes, it is legal in the United States. However, there are restrictions regarding how far away it can be shipped from Australia.
Why Kangaroos should not be eaten?
They have been known to carry diseases, including salmonella and brucellosis. These bacteria can cause serious illness in humans.
The Australian of Food Safety suggests that the meat should be cooked thoroughly before eating it. Then it should be cooked at temperatures of 160 degrees Fahrenheit or above for two minutes or longer.
Does a kangaroo taste like a rabbit?
No, the Australian animal tastes nothing like a rabbit.
Related Topics
What foods cause fatty liver?
Several different foods can cause fatty liver. One of the most common causes is excessive alcohol consumption, which can damage the liver and accumulate fat.
Another food that can cause fatty liver is processed food. Often, these foods are high in sugar and unhealthy fats, contributing to weight gain and inflammation.
Additionally, foods high in cholesterol can also lead to a buildup of fat in the liver.
What does a raccoon taste like?
Raccoon tastes like a cross between pork and chicken. It’s slightly sweet, with a mild flavor similar to both types of meat.
Some say it tastes like bacon, while others say it doesn’t taste like anything they’ve ever had.
What is a McRib patty made of?
According to the McDonald’s website, a McRib patty is made of “rib meat, seasoned with salt, pepper, and paprika, and smoke flavor added.”
What animal is bush meat?
Bushmeat is any animal hunted and killed for food in the wild and includes mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
The most common types of bushmeat are primates (monkeys, gorillas, chimpanzees), large ungulates (zebras, antelopes), and bats.
Does McDonald’s have real meat?
According to the McDonald’s website, every patty is 100% natural beef with no fillers, additives, or preservatives.
