Five reasons to cook with game meat

Wild game refers to animals that are outside of the usual farmyard animals and, in many cases, are hunted from the wild rather than reared. Some of the most popular game animals to eat in the UK are venison, rabbit, hare, duck, grouse, pheasant and guinea fowl. All of these species are native to the UK. The age-old tradition of eating game is once again becoming popular and has seen a surge in recent years as people look to enjoy more diverse flavours and source meat from sustainable sources. Despite overall numbers of British meat eaters decreasing, the game market is rapidly growing, with venison sales soaring in particular.

So why are we eating more game?

Well, aside from being extremely tasty, there are countless reasons! Here are five good reasons for why you should start eating venison at home!

There are more and more modern recipes available at your fingertips

With a growing number of celebrity chefs taking notice of venison in recent years, this provides those at home with more recipes to choose from. Marco Pierre White to name but one, has recently published a couple of great recipes for a delicious venison pie, and succulent venison medallions. Whether you prefer traditional recipes, or you prefer being a little more out-there, you can take your pick!

The health benefits are undeniable

As a red meat (and a lean one at that), venison is very high in protein. You’ll find around 24g of protein in 100g of venison! Also compared to other meats, game is very low in saturated fat. Why not swap it in for one meal a week, and benefit your body’s growth and repair? Game is also packed full of zinc and iron, which help to aid digestion and prevent anemia respectively.

It’s environmentally friendly

Factory farming is obviously a hot topic right now and eating wild venison is the perfect antidote for those looking to keep things closer to what nature intended. It’s also important to note that hunting game is actually a crucial part of maintaining population numbers in the wild and effectively managing ecosystems.

Through game meat suppliers like the Dorset Meat Company you can be confident that meat is sourced from the Dorset countryside, living across acres of space. Importantly, game animals have lived a life with greater vitality something which is typically reflected in the quality of the meat vs those creatures raised in confined spaces.

Countless options and very versatile

The versatility of this meat is clear to anyone. If you fancy chicken, why not try pheasant? For steak, give venison a go! Perhaps you want to try something new? Why not cook up a Spanish paella with the traditional addition of rabbit? The options really are endless!

Easy to prepare and cook

Gone are the days when game meat was considered as posh and for special occasions only, particularly in the case of venison. Nowadays, it’s an everyday meal! Due to being a lean meat, it’s very easy and quick to cook. A master butcher can prepare your game meat exactly how you need it, meaning that it can be eaten either as a speedy meal post-work meal, or for a treat on a Saturday night.

So, if you’ve never been brave enough to try a cut of venison, now is your time to have a go and discover the incredible taste of this beautiful meat.