Meat comes from animals and is used all over the world in cooking. Knowing the different types of meat in English with pictures helps in cooking, vocabulary building, and understanding menus or labels. Meat can be grouped by animal, cut, and how it’s prepared. This list includes red meats, white meats, seafood, organ meats, game meats, and processed options.
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Types of Red Meat with Names
Red meat usually comes from mammals and is darker in color due to higher levels of iron and myoglobin.
Cuts of Beef Meat
Beef comes from cows and is one of the most common meats.
Parts include: steak, ribs, brisket, sirloin, ground beef
Lamb Meat Varieties
Lamb is meat from young sheep and is tender and flavorful.
Parts include: chops, leg, shoulder, shank, loin
Goat Meat Types
Goat meat is lean and often used in stews and curries.
Common cuts: neck, ribs, leg, shoulder
Venison (Deer Meat)
Venison is game meat from deer, low in fat and often roasted or grilled.
Cuts include: backstrap, haunch, shoulder, steaks
Bison Meat Cuts
Bison meat is rich in protein and iron, with a slightly sweet taste.
Popular cuts: ground bison, steaks, roast
White Meat Types You Should Know
White meat comes from poultry and has lower fat than red meat. It is usually lighter in color and mild in flavor.
Chicken Meat Cuts and Uses
Chicken is used worldwide and is versatile in cooking.
Parts include: breast, wings, thighs, drumsticks, gizzards
Turkey Meat Types
Turkey is lean and often roasted for holidays.
Parts include: breast, legs, wings, ground turkey
Duck Meat Overview
Duck has more fat than chicken but is flavorful.
Includes: duck breast, duck legs, whole duck
Goose Meat Varieties
Goose meat is rich and used in traditional dishes.
Cuts include: legs, breast, whole goose
Quail as White Meat
Quail is a small bird with tender, delicate meat.
Usually served: whole or grilled
Fish and Seafood Meat List
Seafood includes meat from the ocean and freshwater. It’s rich in omega-3 and popular in healthy diets.
Salmon Meat
Salmon has pink flesh and is eaten raw, grilled, or baked.
Types: Atlantic salmon, sockeye, king salmon
Tuna Meat
Tuna is a firm, lean fish eaten raw or cooked.
Types include: bluefin, yellowfin, albacore
Cod Fish Meat
Cod has white flesh and a flaky texture.
Used in: fish and chips, fillets, stews
Shrimp as Edible Seafood
Shrimp are small crustaceans often grilled, boiled, or fried.
Forms: peeled, whole, jumbo shrimp
Crab Meat Types
Crab meat is sweet and soft, often used in salads and cakes.
Types: blue crab, king crab, snow crab
Lobster Meat
Lobster is a luxury seafood, known for its firm tail and claw meat.
Eaten: boiled, grilled, buttered
Octopus as Seafood
Octopus is chewy and used in Mediterranean and Asian cuisine.
Forms: tentacles, grilled or stewed
Squid Meat (Calamari)
Squid meat is mild and tender when cooked quickly.
Commonly served: fried rings, grilled strips
List of Processed Meat Types
Processed meats are preserved through curing, smoking, or adding seasoning.
Sausage Varieties
Ground meat mixed with spices, packed in a casing.
Types: bratwurst, chorizo, Italian sausage
Bacon Types
Cured pork from the belly or back.
Styles: streaky, back bacon, turkey bacon
Ham Cuts and Styles
Cured leg meat, sliced or whole.
Forms: smoked ham, honey-glazed, prosciutto
Salami and Cured Meats
Fermented, air-dried sausage made from pork or beef.
Popular types: pepperoni, Genoa salami, soppressata
Hot Dogs (Frankfurters)
Pre-cooked sausage made from beef or pork.
Common in: street food, BBQs
Corned Beef Meat
Salt-cured beef brisket, often served sliced or canned.
Used in: hash, sandwiches
Jerky (Dried Meat)
Thin slices of seasoned, dried meat.
Made from: beef, turkey, venison
Types of Organ Meat (Offal) in English
Organ meats are edible internal parts of animals and are rich in nutrients.
Liver as Edible Organ Meat
High in iron and vitamin A.
From: chicken, beef, lamb
Kidney Meat
Rich and tender when cooked properly.
Common in: steak and kidney pies
Heart Meat
Dense, lean, and flavorful.
Used in: grilled dishes, stews
Tripe (Stomach Lining)
Spongy and often stewed.
From: cows, sheep, goats
Tongue Meat
Soft and tender when boiled or slow-cooked.
Common in: tacos, deli slices
Sweetbreads (Glandular Meats)
Thymus or pancreas of calves or lambs.
Served: grilled, sautéed, pan-fried
Common Game Meat Types
Game meat comes from wild animals. It’s usually lean and has a strong flavor.
Rabbit Meat
Mild and tender, often used in stews or roasted.
Cut options: whole rabbit, legs
Wild Boar Meat
Richer and darker than pork.
Used in: sausages, roasts
Pheasant as Game Meat
Lean bird meat with a slightly sweet flavor.
Usually roasted or braised
Elk Meat Cuts
Large game animal with lean, dark meat.
Popular cuts: steaks, ground meat, roasts
Kangaroo Meat
Low-fat red meat common in Australia.
Eaten as: steaks, jerky, ground meat
FAQs about Types of Meat
The main types of meat include red meat (beef, lamb, goat), white meat (chicken, turkey, duck), seafood (fish, shrimp, crab), organ meats (liver, heart), processed meats (sausage, bacon), and game meats (rabbit, venison, wild boar).
Red meat is darker and comes from mammals like cows and goats. It contains more iron and fat. White meat is lighter and comes from poultry like chicken and turkey. It’s generally lower in fat.
Yes, fish and seafood are considered meat in many food categories. They are animal-based protein sources but are sometimes grouped separately for dietary or religious reasons.
Lean meats like chicken breast, turkey, salmon, and rabbit are considered healthy. They are lower in fat and rich in protein, vitamins, and omega-3.
Processed meat is meat that has been preserved or flavored by smoking, curing, salting, or adding preservatives. Examples include bacon, ham, sausage, and hot dogs.
Offal refers to edible internal parts of animals like the liver, kidney, heart, and tripe. These are rich in nutrients but often have strong flavors.
Yes. Game meat comes from wild animals and usually has a stronger flavor and leaner texture compared to farm-raised meat like beef or chicken.
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