Rabbit meat is not red meat. According to culinary art, red meat is meat from adult mammals and contains lower myoglobin than chicken and fish. By this definition, rabbit meat is white meat.
Beef and veal, mutton and lamb, pork, venison, goat, horse, burgers, and mince are all classified under red meat. They have high levels of myoglobin and are specifically red.
Chicken, turkey, duck, goose, pheasant, and rabbit are usually considered white meat, they have no or shallow level of myoglobin, and that is why they have a significantly pale color.
In this article, I will discuss red meat, white meat, the various kind of meat under each category, what category rabbit meat falls under, and the best kind of rabbit meat breed in the world.
What is red meat?
Red meat is from adult mammals like beef, horses, bores, mutton, pork, and venison. It is commonly red when raw and a dark color after it is cooked.
SEE: The Most Common Red Meat Animals
What is white meat?
White meat is meat from young mammals like rabbits, chickens, ducks, goose, lambs, and veal. It is meat that is pale in color before and after cooking.
Is rabbit meat red or white meat?
Rabbit is considered white meat, which is of the younger mammal category, and has deficient myoglobin levels.
SEE: What Rabbit Meat Taste Like
What is the best rabbit meat breed?
1. The New Zealand rabbit
The New Zealand rabbit breed is one of the most common rabbit meat. It is estimated that 60% of the rabbits raised for meat are of the New Zealand rabbit breed.
The main reason why this rabbit meat is widely consumed is that it puts on weight quickly and has an exceptional meat-to-bone ratio. New Zealand rabbits grow rapidly as well. By eight weeks old, baby New Zealand rabbits have reached eight pounds, with adults maturing to nine to twelve pounds.
Despite the name, the New Zealand rabbit originated in America and dates back to the early 1900s. They are the ideal meat rabbit for backyard homesteaders.
2. The California rabbit
The California rabbit is the second most popular meat-producing breed in the world, weighing between eight and twelve pounds. It is a fancy breed, raised for its fur, and as a meat rabbit, this breed is fast-growing and stocky.
When butchered, they supply a good amount of meat. The California rabbit breed also has a gentle disposition, making them easier to raise. They are a cross-breed between Chinchilla rabbits and New Zealand Whites.
3. The American chinchilla rabbit
The American Chinchilla rabbit breed is a dual-purpose rabbit, as you can use them for their meat and fur. They also have a stocky body and weigh up to twelve pounds, and they are considered one of the best rabbit meat breeds in the world.
The American Chinchilla rabbit is mainly sought for their high-quality deep loin and broad shoulder. Due to their popularity, the American Chinchilla rabbit is listed as endangered.
4. The champagne d’argent rabbit
Champagne d’argent rabbit meat has a high value all over the world. This rabbit meat breed has been used for meat since the 1600s, and it originated in the French town known as Champagne.
The other part of their name, d’Argent, means silver, which describes their fur. Full-grown, the Champagne d’Argent weighs about nine pounds.
This rabbit meat breed has a tremendous meat-to-bone ratio, it is is perfect for starting your homestead. You can raise this breed for both fur and meat.
5. The silver fox rabbit
The silver fox rabbit is a favorite among homesteaders, this breed can be used for multiple purposes. This is a fancy breed known mainly for its fur.
As meat rabbits, they weigh between ten and twelve pounds. The silver fox rabbit is also well suited as a pet, and they are easy to handle for breeding and raising as pets. Unfortunately, the silver fox rabbit is difficult to find. Since they are a rarity, you can profit better from breeding and selling offspring.
6. The satin rabbit
The satin rabbit is a larger and heavier rabbit breed, weighing about twelve pounds when fully grown. With a broader build, it is no surprise that Satin rabbits produce a fair amount of meat.
They are an ideal rabbit to raise for meat on a homestead. Satins are cold hardy meat rabbits and have a calm and docile temperament.
7. The cinnamon rabbit
The cinnamon rabbit is a cross-breed between the New Zealand rabbit and American Chinchilla. This breed was initially not created for meat but instead as pets.
However, the Cinnamon rabbit breed can provide a large quantity of meat with up to eleven pounds. The Cinnamon rabbit breed is also unique because of its fur, however, they are difficult to find.
8. The standard rex rabbit
The standard rex rabbit is smaller for a meat rabbit, weighing eight to ten pounds, and they still produce a good quantity of meat. They are ideal for a more average homestead.
This breed was developed in France in 1919 and is best known as a fur rabbit due to its coat having a velvet-like color. Their docile temperaments also make them good pets.
9. The palomino rabbit
The palomino rabbit breed is mainly for meat, both commercially, and on the homestead, they have been a popular choice for meat rabbits for decades. This rabbit breed reaches a mature weight of eight to eleven pounds.
They offer an excellent meat-to-bone ratio and are an outstanding meat producer. Raising this rabbit breed is relatively easy due to their good temperament. This rabbit breed requires patience because they grow a bit slower than other meat rabbits.
10. The Florida white rabbit
This breed is an all-purpose breed. The Florida white rabbit breed is an ideal rabbit meat source for small homesteads, feeding one to two people with limited space.
This breed is on the smaller side for a meat rabbit. Florida white rabbits weigh only between six and eight pounds. They make up for their less robust size by being light in bone structure.
With a generally calm temperament, the Florida white rabbit is an excellent choice for novice rabbit breeders.
Is rabbit meat healthy?
The U.S. Department of Agriculture states that rabbit meat is one of the most nutritious meats for you. It has minimal fat content and is also low in calories and cholesterol-free.
Compared to other meats, rabbit meat has less sodium and contains a higher amount of metabolism, boasting phosphorus and calcium.
FAQs
Is rabbit meat easy to digest?
Rabbit meat is easy to digest and relatively disease-free.
What does rabbit meat taste like?
Rabbit meat tastes similar to chicken.
Is rabbit meat healthier than chicken?
Rabbit meat is healthier. Compared to beef, pork, lamb, turkey, veal, and chicken, the rabbit has the highest percentage of protein, the lowest percentage of fat, and the fewest calories per pound.
Conclusion
Rabbit meat is a healthy white meat rich in highly-quality proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, and minerals like calcium and potassium. Rabbit meat is also lean and low in cholesterol.
Research shows that rabbit meat has been recommended for special diets such as heart disease patients, diets for the elderly, low sodium diets, and weight reduction diets. Rabbit meat also helps with stomach disorders.
If you enjoyed this article, also should also see ways to know when your meat is done.
Thank you for reading.
