What Does Veal Taste Like? And How Is It Different From Beef?
If you’re a fan of Italian or French cuisines, you might have come across a tender type of meat called veal meat. It is often confused for beef, lamb, or deer meat. However, veal is different as it comes from young calves.
It’s highly valued for its diverse health benefits. Because it’s low in fats and contains many nutrients, you would find many people ordering it regularly.
However, because of how close it is to beef, it’s hard to tell them apart. Then, here comes the question “What does veal meat really taste like?” and “How can you tell the difference between veal and beef?”
You can enhance the flavor of veal using Vegemite, Marmite or Bovril in the sauce.
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What Does Veal Taste Like?
Veal dishes are popular Mediterranean dishes known for their deliciousness. You can find hundreds of recipes containing veal meat on the internet.
Since veal comes from young calves, you’d expect it to taste like beef, but that’s not the case. Veal is much smoother and lighter than beef. It has a tender texture and a less prominent taste.
You would find it mostly described as a delicate type of meat that has a mild flavor. Because the meat comes from young calves that hadn’t developed their muscles yet, you would find it less chewy and easier on the stomach.
Just like other types of meat, the environment in which the calves grow dramatically affects the flavor and the texture of the meat.
Free-range calves will provide firm, lean-texture meat with a distinctive flavor. In contrast, crate veal, which is veal of calves grown in confinement, has a mild taste and a less firm texture.
Serving with cheese is another way to add taste to veal. Use a mild tasting cheese like brie.
Veal vs. Beef
When comparing beef and veal, it’s easy to spot out the difference in the color of the meat itself. Beef has a darker brownish color, while veal has a much lighter pinkish tone.
When cooked, beef has a strong meaty flavor and a rough texture, while veal has a milder, more refined flavor and a much smoother texture. You would find people praising veal for its high quality and tenderness.
Veal is also used in a variety of dishes as many would consider it a versatile ingredient that is easier to digest and low in cholesterol.
Aside from the appearance and texture of the meat, veal is full of vitamins and minerals. It contains vitamin B1, vitamin D, iron, and proteins. Unlike beef, veal is very low in sodium which is why it’s healthier than other types of meat.
Does veal taste gamey?
Veal do not taste gamey at all – it is very neutral meat. Veal is a popular meat choice for those who want to eat healthier. It’s leaner than beef and has less cholesterol than other red meats.
If you’re looking for a healthy alternative to beef, veal is an excellent option. It’s also lower in fat and calories than beef.
What are the Types of Veal?
Veal comes in different forms. Some are young, some are older. Some are fed grain, others grass. Some are raised in barns, others in open fields. Veal can be purchased at supermarkets, but also at specialty stores.
One of the most popular and expensive types of veal is “bob veals”, which are killed before one month from birth.
Calves raised on a diet rich in fortified milks and nutrient-rich feeds are called “milk-fed” or “white veal”. These calves are fed a diet rich in fortified cow’s milk and nutrient-rich feeds in order to improve both taste plus texture.
Stock feed grain produces veal that is darker in color. It is slightly tougher when compared to veal that has been feed with milk.
What Dishes is Veal Used in?
- Veal Schnitzel.
- Veal ham parmigiana.
- Ground Veal Ragout
- Veal Meat Mushroom Marsala
- Veal chop
- Veal cutlet coated in breadcrumbs
- Veal Osso Buco
- Veal Burger
Veal Vs. Lamb
Both are red meat. Veal is a meat from male dairy calves. Lamb is a meat from young sheep. Both are lean meats that are good sources of protein.
Like veal, lamb meat is usually served medium rare, certainly pink in the middle.
Because veal is so lean, it does not need to be seasoned heavily. It is best when prepared simply and allowed to cook naturally.
When preparing lamb, remember that it cooks quickly. You don’t want to overcook your lamb if you’re going to serve it at dinner time.
Both these are often used in European recipes and are very common in Mediterranean countries.
Lamb has a stronger taste than veal but can be used as a veal substitute.
Other meats like pork can be used in veal recipes. Further, a veal cutlet and a pork chop are similar except for the fat on the pork.
To Sum Up
The commonly asked question “what does veal taste like?” comes from the constant confusion between veal and beef. However, if you pay close attention, you’ll find many distinguishable differences.
The beef comes from old cattle, while veal comes from young calves. Veal is a lean type of meat that is healthier than beef. It is also well-known for its exceptional softness and high nutritional value. For those reasons, you would find many people favoring veal over beef for the meat dish. Finally a little lemon juice on lean meat like veal can enhance the flavor.