Antelope, the wild deer-like creature that can be found in Africa and Eurasia, is both majestic and grand, standing tall with a huge stature and even larger horns. But what about the meat?
It’s not something you’ll find in any restaurant and you might have to order it online. But before you do that, you probably have one question: what does it taste like?
Well, we can tell you that fresh antelope meat is one of the healthier options for your dinner plate. It is a gamey meat, meaning that all the nutrients that a wild antelope would have eaten go straight into your body when you consume the meat.
Intrigued? Well, we would suggest that you keep reading, as we’re going to do a deep-dive on the antelope, looking at what it tastes like, how you can cook it, and how much meat you can expect to get from it.
What Is An Antelope?
An antelope is a member of the bovine family and there are currently 91 different species, most of those coming from Africa. Antelopes move around in herds and can be identified by their large horns that grow continuously throughout their lives.
These horns they use to defend themselves, often engaging in fights over females or territory. Antelopes come in all different shapes and sizes, from the gazelle, which is very slight and speedy, to the larger and more fearsome bull sable antelope.
Many of these antelope species are currently considered endangered, mostly due to the changing of their habitat, cattle grazing on their land, or hunting for sport.
What Does Antelope Taste Like?
One of the first things that people have commented on when eating antelope is the fact that it is a very sweet meat. It has a subtle taste that has been likened to sage and the texture of the meat itself is very soft and tender.
The interesting thing about antelope meat is that every cut of meat can taste different depending on the antelope itself. You should always check what your antelope is eating, as this will affect the flavor of the meat itself.
Obviously, antelope is going to be very similar-tasting meat to other animals in the same family, such as cows. Many people have likened the texture of antelope to cow, which is very important if you are looking for a healthy substitute.
How Does Antelope Meat Compare To Deer Meat?
There has often been a comparison between deer and antelope meat. In the same way as antelope meat tastes differently depending on what the antelope has eaten, the same goes for deer.
This is because this animal is often allowed to graze in the wild, meaning that the meat is full of nutrients and very little fat.
The structure of antelope is a little different from deer and a lot of people say that the profile of this meat is a lot spicier than deer. Antelope meat also has far less fat on it than deer, making it the healthier option of the two.
How Does Antelope Meat Compared To Beef?
It might be helpful to compare antelope meat to meat that is more commonly eaten and that comes from an animal in the same family, namely, beef. Well, there is quite a bit of difference between beef and antelope meat.
Beef has far more calories than antelope meat, in fact, it has over 3 times more calories. Antelope meat is also far juicer and more tender than beef, which is great if you are looking for something that will satisfy your meat cravings.
Altogether if you are looking for a healthy alternative to beef, then you should try antelope. However, antelope is a lot rarer than beef and you might end up paying a lot more for shipping costs than you would for buying beef at your local supermarket.
What Is The Best Way To Cook Antelope Meat?
The great thing about antelope meat is that you can cook it in a variety of different ways, whether it is on the grill, in the oven, or in a boiling pot of stew.
The versatility of this meat is amazing and makes it a healthy substitute for other diverse meats like beef and chicken. Here we’re going to look at some of the best ways that you can cook your antelope meat:
How To Grill Antelope Meat?
This is one of the most popular options for cooking antelope meat. It is quite easy to do and will allow you to cook up enough antelope meat for you and your family. First, you’ll want to season your antelope meat.
You can do this with whatever you like, whether it is traditional salt and pepper, or you want something a little spicier. You’ll also need to make sure that you preheat your grill so the meat will start sizzling as soon as you put it down.
When you are ready to put your meat on the grill, you should cook it on one side for around 3 – 5 minutes. Once you have done this, use tongs to flip it over and grill it thoroughly on the other side. Once you are satisfied that it has cooked completely, then leave it to cool a little before slicing it up.
How To Roast Antelope Meat?
With this cooking method, you’ll need to make sure that you have the oven turned up to the right level. Set it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and leave your antelope in there for around 3 to 4 hours.
You should add some seasoning to your antelope meat before you put it in the oven. Again, you can choose whatever flavors you want, it all depends on your personal preference. You’ll need to make sure that you are using a solid roasting pan to cook this meat.
You’ll want to use a temperature probe to ensure that your antelope is cooked right the way through to the middle. Once it is done, then take it out of the oven and leave it to cool for a few minutes before carving it up.
How To Stew Antelope Meat?
This is another fantastic way to really savor this meat, allowing it to sit in its own juices for an extended period of time. This meat will be extremely tender once you have stewed it properly. Along with the seasonings, this final dish can be like nothing you’ve ever tasted before.
The way to stew this properly is by putting it in the pot and adding beef broth or just hot water. Let this water come to a boil and then turn the heat down so that it simmers for a few hours (anywhere between 3 and 4).
Once you have cooked it you might want to wait for a few minutes until it cools down, as it will be very hot. You can serve this one with warm bread or even a selection of your favorite winter vegetables.
How To Make Antelope Meat Into Jerky?
This is another great and totally original way to enjoy antelope meat. All you have to do is slice it into thin strips and place them in a dehydrator. You’ll need to make sure that you dehydrate them for a period of around 6 to 8 hours at around 155 degrees Fahrenheit.
Take the meat out of the hydrator when it is dry and brittle. You can add some seasoning to the jerky to help give it that extra flavor and also help with the preservation. Once you have finished drying it out, then place it in an airtight container to consume at a later date.
How To Make Ground-Up Antelope Meat?
Why not make burgers and sausages out of your antelope meat? All you have to do is put this stuff through a meat grinder and make them into patties or sausages.
As we mentioned earlier, antelope does not contain much fat, so you might have to add some of that yourself so that your meat does not dry out. Once you have your patties, you can then cook them on the grill or in the oven. You should follow the same instructions for grilling antelope meat as we have listed above.
Conclusion
We hope that our guide to antelope meat flavor and cooking has helped you decide whether to order some of this meat for yourself. If you want a healthy alternative to your usual beef, then try antelope as a treat.
Have you ever made something so delicious that you wished you could savor it forever?
Only to find that the recipe has now mysteriously vanished from your phone and the entirety of the internet. Yep, there’s not much more painful than that.
Hi, my name is Mark Williams and I have been infatuated with cooking since I was young. I would beg my mother to pull a chair up to the counter so I could watch what she was doing.
