lamb is very popular in the orient and South Asia. It is very tender and juicy and good tasting. But I never see it for sale in grocery stores and don't know anyone who eats it other than at foreign restaurant. Could it be that the thought of butchering a young sheep turns us off. A lamb is newly born and hasn't developed its teeth yet.
Why isn't lamb a popular meat in the west
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Chief Longwind Of The North
Certified/Certifiable
It's more expensive, though available.
Seeeeeya; Chief Longwind of the North
Seeeeeya; Chief Longwind of the North
I like lamb. I can usually find New Zealand lamb in the freezer section of supermarkets. I'm in Canada, so I don't know if the same is true in the US.
Apparently, a lot of people find the taste of lamb too "gamey". I like the way it tastes of lamb and not just some generic red meat. But as the Chief wrote, it's kinda pricey. We often get lamb with Indian or Greek food.
Apparently, a lot of people find the taste of lamb too "gamey". I like the way it tastes of lamb and not just some generic red meat. But as the Chief wrote, it's kinda pricey. We often get lamb with Indian or Greek food.
karadekoolaid
Head Chef
Lamb is extremely popular in the UK. Roast lamb is inevitably accompanied with mint sauce.
Love lamb! When available I get it.
GinnyPNW
Master Chef
+1 on Chief's words.
We can find it, but it is usually on an upper shelf and, as mentioned, it is usually pricey. I find the best choices for lamb at Costco. And, Costco has great meat.
I remember, once upon a time, in L.A. during a grocery clerk "strike"...there were certain markets that it was "okay" to cross the picket line. While shopping in meat department, DH noticed the lamb chops were some ridiculous price like $27/per pound, I think it was. DH commented to me that "No one will pay that price!" The butcher overheard and said, "Someone will!"
Nothing like lamb chops on the BBQ grill!
Chief Longwind Of The North
Certified/Certifiable
I also enjoy goat. But it's only found in ethnic stores. Goat, and venison are quite similar in both texture, and flavor.
Seeeeya; Chief Longwind of the North
Seeeeya; Chief Longwind of the North
Kaneohegirlinaz
Wannabe TV Chef
I really like the Lamb raised in Colorado, much more flavorful, but then I don't find Lamb to be "gamey" at all, love it.
It is pricey, and yes the Costco/Kirkland meats are a better price.
It is pricey, and yes the Costco/Kirkland meats are a better price.
pepperhead212
Executive Chef
I wish lamb wasn't so expensive, as I really like it. I have always liked it, even when Mom cooked it to death, which was done with everything back then!
I never understood why people call this "gamey". Just because it has a flavor of its own, unlike the usual meats they are used to? I've actually eaten mutton a couple of times - even more highly flavored, and liked that, as I had it in some highly flavored Indian dishes, where it tasted really good.
I never understood why people call this "gamey". Just because it has a flavor of its own, unlike the usual meats they are used to? I've actually eaten mutton a couple of times - even more highly flavored, and liked that, as I had it in some highly flavored Indian dishes, where it tasted really good.
Kaneohegirlinaz
Wannabe TV Chef
Agreed Dave, I had never found Mutton to have an off-putting flavor to it.
My Mother can't even stand the smell of Mutton nor Lamb
*shrug*
My Mother can't even stand the smell of Mutton nor Lamb
*shrug*
Andy M.
Certified Pretend Chef
I grew up eating a lot of lamb. Now I use it occasionally but not as much as I like because SO is not a fan. She's OK with it in my lamb and string bean stew and half and half with beef in my meatloaf. When she's not here for dinner, I'll sometimes make myself a rack of lamb.
I like the lamb at Costco as it's Australian lamb which is much more flavorful than American raised lamb.
I like the lamb at Costco as it's Australian lamb which is much more flavorful than American raised lamb.
I love lamb and have a wonderful recipe for barbecued lamb ribs. Tasty, tasty, tasty. The sauce is super.
The comments I've heard from folks who don't like it they say it tastes "soapy." Not my experience.
As for mutton. Love that, too, especially smoked over a wood-fired pit, then pulled and served with barbecue sauce. It's a favorite in our area.
I can get my fill and take some home after visiting the historic "Fancy Farm Picnic." But, be aware, August in Kentucky is HOT and HUMID!
Look here for what I'm talking and come on down and enjoy crazy political crap, games, bingo, a raffle usually for a brand new pick-up truck, and lots and lots of barbecue: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/poli...-political-picnics-notable-moments/ar-AAMQbjQ.
The comments I've heard from folks who don't like it they say it tastes "soapy." Not my experience.
As for mutton. Love that, too, especially smoked over a wood-fired pit, then pulled and served with barbecue sauce. It's a favorite in our area.
I can get my fill and take some home after visiting the historic "Fancy Farm Picnic." But, be aware, August in Kentucky is HOT and HUMID!
Look here for what I'm talking and come on down and enjoy crazy political crap, games, bingo, a raffle usually for a brand new pick-up truck, and lots and lots of barbecue: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/poli...-political-picnics-notable-moments/ar-AAMQbjQ.
GotGarlic
Chef Extraordinaire
This describes why lamb isn't popular in the United States. It's much more popular in the United Kingdom and Europe. Basically, cattle ranchers had more government support in the 1800s and soldiers coming back from World War II who were fed nasty canned Australian mutton didn't want it after they returned home. So there isn't much of a market for either lamb or mutton here.
https://www.npr.org/sections/thesal...ut-of-favor-in-the-u-s-can-it-make-a-comeback
https://www.npr.org/sections/thesal...ut-of-favor-in-the-u-s-can-it-make-a-comeback
msmofet
Chef Extraordinaire
- Joined
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I love lamb and make it as often as I can. DD#2 and I like it better than hub and DD#1. We like it cooked with garlic and lemon. Usually served with noodles in a garlic béchamel sauce.
skilletlicker
Head Chef
Agree with GotGarlic. Also, suspect the cattle-sheep price difference has to do with scale and subsidized grain in the beef industry. I hope lamb becomes more popular. I buy it at the Mediterranean Market where it doesn't compete with pork due to halal and kosher dietary restrictions. If lamb becomes more popular, I bet it is driven by ease of market entry to smaller pasture-fed meat producers.
Thanks for the link. That was interesting. I knew there had been bad blood between those raising cattle and those raising sheep. Now, I am curious to read more about that part of the story.
Just Cooking
Master Chef
I love lamb and Jeannie likes it ok.
I don't purchase and cook it as often as I used to. I was surprised to find lamb chops and racks in Aldi, a few weeks ago. I bought it more frequently when living close to a Costco. One has just opened here (last month) and we will join and start shopping there soon.
In the 90's I grilled for a grocery/meat market catering company. We had a warming oven in the meat department and I often grilled leg of lamb. It always sold out quickly. Second in popularity only to our steak sandwiches.
Ross
I don't purchase and cook it as often as I used to. I was surprised to find lamb chops and racks in Aldi, a few weeks ago. I bought it more frequently when living close to a Costco. One has just opened here (last month) and we will join and start shopping there soon.
In the 90's I grilled for a grocery/meat market catering company. We had a warming oven in the meat department and I often grilled leg of lamb. It always sold out quickly. Second in popularity only to our steak sandwiches.
Ross
Sir_Loin_of_Beef
Chef Extraordinaire
Lamb is the only meat I use for shepherd's pie. Shepherds herd sheep, not cows or turkeys. I like to make fresh chorizo with goat, when I can find it.
GinnyPNW
Master Chef
LOL...good point on the sheep. For goat, I would think that some of the ethnic markets in Sandy Eggo would carry goat? No?
Sir_Loin_of_Beef
Chef Extraordinaire
Yes, they do, but not ground goat. But now I have a meat grinder, so...
Amazon Fresh has lamb, but the prices are all over the board, from $7.97 lb for lamb shanks to $43.54 lb for loin chops. Ground lamb is $12.01 lb.
Amazon Fresh has lamb, but the prices are all over the board, from $7.97 lb for lamb shanks to $43.54 lb for loin chops. Ground lamb is $12.01 lb.
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