Ever had ground Lamb?

[mcurphy]

I am going to chili contest this weekend and I want to make a "meat lovers" themed chili. I was thinking about adding ground beef, steak, bacon, maybe smoked beef sausage, and I was looking for another ground meat. I was hoping to find ground elk or ground bison, but my local butcher was out of both. He does have ground lamb though, but I have no idea how this will compliment the chili.

Can you describe the flavor and texture for me? How does it compare to beef? Sweeter, fattier, stronger/weaker flavor?

 

[herm0016]

goat makes good chili.

lamb should give it a little gamier flavor but i would guess that most people would not be able to pick it from beef in a chili.

 

[Crono]

It's more tender and gamy, maybe a bit juicier. If you were looking for elk or bison, it's more similar to that than beef.

I've only tasted it in Indian food, though (lamb curry). But I'd bet it would work well for chili.

 

[mmntech]

It's more tender and gamey.

Lamb has a mild flavour, it shouldn't be gamey. A lot of unscrupulous meat packers will try to pass off mutton as lamb. It's from older sheep, and has a strong gamey taste. The problem is the USDA doesn't have a separate label for mutton, so all sheep meat is labeled as "lamb".

 

[Crono]

Lamb has a mild flavour, it shouldn't be gamey. A lot of unscrupulous meat packers will try to pass off mutton as lamb. It's from older sheep, and has a strong gamey taste. The problem is the USDA doesn't have a separate label for mutton, so all sheep meat is labeled as "lamb".

Well I was going to say lamb has mild "lamb flavor" but that isn't really useful. So "gamy" is the word I used, just in contrast to beef. But yes, it's mild flavor... the texture is more the defining aspect for me. Usually it's less dry and is softer/fattier than goat. Goat is a little more pronounced - lamb flavor is less offensive to the palate of someone who is only used to beef and poultry.

 

[mcurphy]

Excellent, thanks for the input! I figured it would blend well since there are so many other flavors in chili, but wanted to make sure it didn't have some obnoxious flavor profile.

 

[natto fire]

Bison is about the best meat you can put in chili, IMO. I would automatically rank a chili the lowest if it had bacon and I was judging. Obvious pandering to this annoying bacon fad, and not a good meat for chili.

Lamb has a nice texture, but I think Bison is more flavorful, and the texture lends itself to chili better.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

You put that many different meats into chili and nobody will be able to tell whether it's lamb, iguana or capybara.

 

[Auric]

Flavour strength: beef < bison < lamb. Bison is most lean. In the US/CA, bison is much higher quality than beef by default (grass-fed, free-range pasture, organic, antibiotic and hormone free). Of course AU/NZ lamb is likewise. Another option to consider is ostrich.

 

[mcurphy]

Flavour strength: beef < bison < lamb. Bison is most lean. In the US/CA, bison is much higher quality than beef by default (grass-fed, free-range pasture, organic, antibiotic and hormone free). Of course AU/NZ lamb is likewise. Another option to consider is ostrich.

Yeah, I was really hoping they had some Bison. They usually stock it and I have bought it several times. I have also had ostrich in the past and love it as well, but my local butcher doesn't carry it. I've had to go out of my way in the past to find it.

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

Lamb tends to get gamey when it is overcooked. What I would do is brown it quickly at high heat then drain and reserve the meat. Make sure the chili is at a low simmer and add the ground lamb during the last 5 to 10 minutes. That way the lamb should not overcook and won't convey that gaminess to the rest of the chili.

 

[DesiPower]

Goat meat is lean, therefore takes longer to cook and can potentially dry it or make it hard. However in chili, where its just boiled, you shouldn't have to do anything special

 

[highland145]

'sup Rob. Hope all's well.

I'm fat, dumb and happy. Got an Ark for sale if you know someone.

 

[dullard]

Ground Lamb is one of the most delicious meats imaginable if done correctly. I get a whole lamb once a year. At first I was confused as to what to do with ground lamb. Then I tried it. You really must try ground lamb if you haven't tried it yet. Make a seasoned meatball with it and put it on brown rice for an easy dish, or put it in curry, or spaghetti sauce just about anything that needs flavorful meatballs.

Lamb is like a better beef: juicier and more flavor. But it can taste gamey. The amount of game flavor depends on the lamb size, age (a late spring slaughter is far milder than a late fall lamb), and how much you cook it. Lamb does not do very well when overcooked.

I once tried lamb tacos and did my usual beef recipe of simmering it in spices when I was preparing the toppings (~20 minutes). That was enough to ruin it. Why? I overcooked it. All game flavor. Lamb should be no more than medium, and probably no more than medium rare. Rare lamb is great if you are willing to try it. For that reason, I think it may do terrible in a chili that sits there hot for long periods of time. If you must, season and lightly cook the lamb then put the lamb in the chili just before serving.

Lamb tends to get gamey when it is overcooked. What I would do is brown it quickly at high heat then drain and reserve the meat. Make sure the chili is at a low simmer and add the ground lamb during the last 5 to 10 minutes. That way the lamb should not overcook and won't convey that gaminess to the rest of the chili.

Bingo. (Although your user name doesn't apply in this case).

 

[MongGrel]

I like lamb myself, but the only time I can get it is if I order it in a local Greek place here.

The wife has one of those "I won't do it" things going on, I guess, it isn't allowed in the house

 

[glenn1]

You could always try Cuy chile if you want to mix things up a bit.

 

[mcurphy]

'sup Rob. Hope all's well.

I'm fat, dumb and happy. Got an Ark for sale if you know someone.

A lot going on this year, and it has been great! Promotion at work, son is a football star (17 TD's in 6 games!), daughter made cut for the HS volleyball team, and I just got done reading "The Martian" and can't wait to see the movie! Have you read it yet?

So yeah, all is well....I am also fat, dumb and happy

 

[mcurphy]

Ground Lamb is one of the most delicious meats imaginable if done correctly. I get a whole lamb once a year. At first I was confused as to what to do with ground lamb. Then I tried it. You really must try ground lamb if you haven't tried it yet. Make a seasoned meatball with it and put it on brown rice for an easy dish, or put it in curry, or spaghetti sauce just about anything that needs flavorful meatballs.

Lamb is like a better beef: juicier and more flavor. But it can taste gamey. The amount of game flavor depends on the lamb size, age (a late spring slaughter is far milder than a late fall lamb), and how much you cook it. Lamb does not do very well when overcooked.

I once tried lamb tacos and did my usual beef recipe of simmering it in spices when I was preparing the toppings (~20 minutes). That was enough to ruin it. Why? I overcooked it. All game flavor. Lamb should be no more than medium, and probably no more than medium rare. Rare lamb is great if you are willing to try it. For that reason, I think it may do terrible in a chili that sits there hot for long periods of time. If you must, season and lightly cook the lamb then put the lamb in the chili just before serving.

Bingo. (Although your user name doesn't apply in this case).

Great tip here, thank you! I planned on browning it with the beef and stewing it for hours with the rest of the pot.....but I think I will hold off a bit and add it just before serving.

 

[mcurphy]

You could always try Cuy chile if you want to mix things up a bit.

Reading the wiki it sounds awesome and I would try it! It says it is similar to rabbit nd I love rabbit!

 

[highland145]

A lot going on this year, and it has been great! Promotion at work, son is a football star (17 TD's in 6 games!), daughter made cut for the HS volleyball team, and I just got done reading "The Martian" and can't wait to see the movie! Have you read it yet?

So yeah, all is well....I am also fat, dumb and happy

Daughter....

...shit, NVM...

The Martian was good. Did not read the book. Long for an old guy like me. 2:20 + 20 min previews + 10 min health "get your vaccine" crap. Just be forewarned. I would watch again.

17 in 6 games? Beast mode come from you or the wife? Better keep the skanks away. Good luck with that.

Aside, I have a crap ton of kindle for pc ( read 3 last week). Any idea how to share? The Cloud Warrior series was the last. Slow burn was recommended here and is free. I like free as long as I can get rid of it.

 

[mcurphy]

Daughter....

...shit, NVM...

The Martian was good. Did not read the book. Long for an old guy like me. 2:20 + 20 min previews + 10 min health "get your vaccine" crap. Just be forewarned. I would watch again.

17 in 6 games? Beast mode come from you or the wife? Better keep the skanks away. Good luck with that.

Aside, I have a crap ton of kindle for pc ( read 3 last week). Any idea how to share? The Cloud Warrior series was the last. Slow burn was recommended here and is free. I like free as long as I can get rid of it.

Yeah, beast mode for sure. He's got some wheels and takes after me

I've got the paperback for Martian if you want to read it. Let me know and I'll send it to you. As far as Kindle books go.....I don't know. We can discuss that more in PM or email.

 

[highland145]

Yeah, beast mode for sure. He's got some wheels and takes after me

I've got the paperback for Martian if you want to read it. Let me know and I'll send it to you. As far as Kindle books go.....I don't know. We can discuss that more in PM or email.

SHENS

caps

Anytime on the kindle if you know how I can share. Hurts me to buy and then it goes into the ether. They don't call me Wadestein for nothing.

So the daugh.....:biggrin:

 

[mmntech]

Well I was going to say lamb has mild "lamb flavor" but that isn't really useful. So "gamy" is the word I used, just in contrast to beef. But yes, it's mild flavor... the texture is more the defining aspect for me. Usually it's less dry and is softer/fattier than goat. Goat is a little more pronounced - lamb flavor is less offensive to the palate of someone who is only used to beef and poultry.

Seen goat a lot at Caribbean restaurants but I've never had it.

Yes, lamb can be pretty fatty. I usually just get the frozen chops imported from New Zealand. I find it better than the domestic stuff. Not sure why. I think they use a different breed there.

And yeah, don't overcook it. Red meat should never be well done.

 

[SlickSnake]

No, I never ate lamb on the ground.

Rakehellion

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2450710

 

[echo4747]

I've never won a chili contest but I've placed 2nd two times in the last 4 yrs. ( not a large contest but at least 12-15 chilis are judged each time) I've only used beef and pork in my chilis.. but I have noticed that I've done the best with coarse ground meat. I have an old hand me down hand-crank meat grinder and use the plate with the largest openings. Its just a thought but,I think if you want to go with lamb, a coarse grind might not overcook as fast.