Definition

1. Noun:
   • Meat that is dark in color when raw: This term refers to the flesh of mammals, which typically appears dark red before cooking due to its high myoglobin content. Common examples include beef, lamb, mutton, and venison. It is often contrasted with "white meat," such as poultry or fish.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Doctors often advise limiting consumption of red meat.
  • For the barbecue, we bought steaks and other red meat.
  • The recipe calls for a pound of ground red meat, like beef or lamb.

Advanced Usage

• In nutritional or health contexts: "Red meat" is frequently discussed in terms of its dietary impact, often linked to discussions about protein, iron, saturated fat, and health risks or benefits.
  • Recent studies have examined the link between processed red meat and heart disease.
• In culinary contexts: The term specifies a category of meat important for cooking methods, flavor profiles, and cultural dishes.
  • The stew is best made with a tough cut of red meat that becomes tender with slow cooking.

Variants and Related Words

• Processed red meat (noun phrase): Refers to red meat that has been transformed through salting, curing, fermentation, smoking, or other processes to enhance flavor or preservation (e.g., bacon, sausages, ham).
  • Many health guidelines differentiate between unprocessed and processed red meat.
• White meat (noun phrase): The contrasting category, typically referring to lighter-colored meat from poultry like chicken and turkey, or sometimes pork.
  • She prefers white meat, so she ordered the chicken breast.

Synonyms

• Dark meat (Note: This can be synonymous in a general sense but is also specifically used for the darker parts of poultry, like the thigh).
• Beef, lamb, mutton, venison (These are specific types of red meat, not perfect synonyms for the category itself).

Related Phrases

• Lean red meat (noun phrase): Red meat with a lower fat content.
  • Opting for lean red meat is a healthier choice.
• Red meat consumption (noun phrase): The act or amount of eating red meat.
  • Red meat consumption has declined in some regions.

Related Idioms

• (To be) red meat for (someone/something): This is an idiomatic, figurative use meaning something that strongly satisfies or is eagerly consumed by a particular group, often used in political or rhetorical contexts. (Note: This is an advanced, metaphorical extension of the term).
  • That controversial statement was red meat for the base of the political party.

Noun

1. meat that is dark in color before cooking (as beef, venison, lamb, mutton)