when meat is described as "gamey" what does that mean?

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bignateyk

Lifer
Apr 22, 2002
11,288
7
0
It has to do with how they are killed. I've read that adrenaline contributes to the "gamey" flavor.

If you kill a wild animal, chances are it will be loaded with adrenaline when it dies. If you kill a domesticated animal it will be killed with a bolt gun or something that kills it instantly.

Not sure if it's true or not but it kind of makes sense.

edit: I've noticed that deer that I kill instantly tend to taste less gamey than the ones that run for 2 miles before they drop dead. Could be my imagination though.
 
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Sheep

Golden Member
Jun 13, 2006
1,275
0
71
Learn something new every day. All this time I thought "gamey" referred to odd textures, not how it smells or tastes.
 

Hacp

Lifer
Jun 8, 2005
13,923
2
81
Gamey meat doesn't have the right texture. It might also smell and taste off. Think savory. Gamey is the opposite.
 

clamum

Lifer
Feb 13, 2003
26,252
403
126
I've always wondered this myself. So the consensus is it's basically a "stronger" taste eh?

THE MOAR YOU KNOW
 

Leymenaide

Senior member
Feb 16, 2010
752
368
136
It has to do with how they are killed. I've read that adrenaline contributes to the "gamey" flavor.

If you kill a wild animal, chances are it will be loaded with adrenaline when it dies. If you kill a domesticated animal it will be killed with a bolt gun or something that kills it instantly.

Not sure if it's true or not but it kind of makes sense.

edit: I've noticed that deer that I kill instantly tend to taste less gamey than the ones that run for 2 miles before they drop dead. Could be my imagination though.

I only eat Bambi when shot off approved feed and then never more then 60 pounds of boned out meat in the freezer. That way they are always sweet. I have cut up dozens of dear in my life and never eat off pine or laurel. Best if full of corn.
 
Sep 7, 2009
12,960
3
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I've always wondered this myself. So the consensus is it's basically a "stronger" taste eh?

THE MOAR YOU KNOW


I don't know if I would agree with that... I've had 'strong' tasting beef and it's distinctly different from 'gamey' tasting. Really I'd say the liver comparison is probably the closest.
 

rh71

No Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
52,844
1,049
126
are they talking about texture or taste? It sounds like taste but even chicken tastes bland without anything added. White meat chicken = YUCK.
 

Josh123

Diamond Member
Aug 4, 2002
3,030
2
76
It has to do with how they are killed. I've read that adrenaline contributes to the "gamey" flavor.

If you kill a wild animal, chances are it will be loaded with adrenaline when it dies. If you kill a domesticated animal it will be killed with a bolt gun or something that kills it instantly.

Not sure if it's true or not but it kind of makes sense.

edit: I've noticed that deer that I kill instantly tend to taste less gamey than the ones that run for 2 miles before they drop dead. Could be my imagination though.

This is true. It can even happen in cattle if they aren't killed the right way. My grandfather told me he once had some beef cattle hauled and one ended up breaking it's leg during the process. He ended up having it butchered the next day and said it was the worst beef he had ever ate.

I don't really care for the "game" taste but I've always heard cooking with Italian dressing helps take some of that taste away.
 

BurnItDwn

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
26,322
1,836
126
Never really had an issue with "gamey" taste. I've eaten venison a bunch of times, as well as lamb, goat, elk, whatever. Meat is good.
 

Farang

Lifer
Jul 7, 2003
10,913
3
0
"Gamey" to me is dead body flavor. When I have sweet and sour chicken, or a steak, I don't feel like I am eating the flesh of a dead body. If I eat meat that has a gamey flavor, I'm suddenly conscious that I'm eating a corpse.

It is the taste of death.
 

SSSnail

Lifer
Nov 29, 2006
17,458
83
86
Things that are OK to taste gamey: deer, kangaroo, wild boar, etc...

Not OK: vajayjay D:
 

xSkyDrAx

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2003
7,706
1
0
taste and smell like your armpit without shower and deodorant for a few days.

I would almost say it's close to that. It's really more of an odor that accompany the meat. You bite into it and it's an almost rank odor that wafts through your nose with every bite.
 

OlafSicky

Platinum Member
Feb 25, 2011
2,364
0
0
I grew up eating squirrel so “gamey” doesn’t bother me I like it.
 

Jadow

Diamond Member
Feb 12, 2003
5,962
2
0
eat just about anything hunted, deer, rabbit, pheasant, duck, goose, etc...

I don't mind gamey flavor, it can be a bit too much, but if the meat is seasoned right, the gameyness adds another profile that's not bad