If you or someone you know is a red meat lover who’s looking to eat healthier, game meats are a great alternative.   The below meats will satisfy that red meat craving, but are lower in cholesterol and fat. Many are also higher in heart-healthy iron.

Closest to Beef – You Might Just Fool Them:

Ostrich Meat
Yes, it’s true, ostriches are birds, but you wouldn’t be able to tell that by looking at their meat. Very beefy with a nice steak texture, ostrich tastes, cooks, and looks like beef.

Differences: Despite tasting mostly like beef, ostrich does have a slightly smoky, sweet element to its flavor. Though it can be substituted for beef, do keep in mind that ostrich cooks very quickly because it’s so lean.

Health Benefits: Less fat, cholesterol and calories than skinless chicken or turkey…plus more iron!

Bison Meat
Also known as Buffalo Meat, Bison is probably the closest to conventional beef of all game meats.

Differences: Very beef-like flavor with a slight sweetness. Cooks faster due to lower fat content.

Health Benefits: Higher protein than beef, so you’ll stay full longer, reducing snacking. Bison meat is lower in cholesterol than skinless chicken and has a third less fat than similar cuts of beef. It is also higher in heart-healthy iron than beef.

Try Something Different – Beefy, Yet Exotic:

Kangaroo Meat
All the way from Australia to your table, Kangaroo meat has a similar texture and appearance to beef, but has a more unique flavor and is softer.

Differences: Kangaroo Meat’s flavor is beefy but with a noticeable smoky flavor. Its texture is a little bit softer than conventional beef. It cooks quickly because it’s lean.

Health Benefits: Kangaroo meat contains more protein than lamb, beef, pork or chicken. Lower fat & cholesterol than lamb & beef.  It is the highest known source of natural Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA).  Kangaroo meat is also high in iron & zinc.

Yak Meat
With a flavor similar to bison or elk meat, Yak meat is also very lean.

Llama Meat
Llama meat is a very popular dinner choice in the Andes and Peru. It is fairly lean, like all game meats, with a flavor somewhere between beef and lamb.

Just Can’t Give Up Beef? – Go Grassfed!

Grass-fed Beef
Grass-fed Beef is still beef, just healthier and better for the environment.

Differences: Grass-fed beef cooks faster than conventional, grain-fed beef. It also has a cleaner, less buttery flavor.

Health Benefits: Compared to conventional beef, grass-fed beef is lower in saturated fat and higher in vitamins A & E as well as healthy omega-3 fatty acids.