A Global Meat Lover's Guide: Countries to Find the Best Meat (2024)

FAQs

A Global Meat Lover's Guide: Countries to Find the Best Meat? ›

Argentine beef is widely regarded as the best beef globally, with its grass-fed and hormone-free farming methods resulting in leaner, healthier, and more flavorful meat.

Argentine beef is widely regarded as the best beef globally, with its grass-fed and hormone-free farming methods resulting in leaner, healthier, and more flavorful meat.

Meat Consumption

Which countries eat the most meat? According to UN Food and Agriculture Organization data reported by website Our World in data, the United States and Australia are the top of the global meat-eating league with more than 120 kg consumed per capita in 2020.

Pork, for example, is the most consumed meat globally, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, making up 36% of the world's meat intake. The popularity of pork is closely followed by poultry, which is a staple in many countries due to its versatility and affordability.

Healthiest options: turkey and chicken

When it comes to the healthiest meats that pack the biggest nutritional punch, turkey and chicken should be at the top of your (grocery) list, says Schiff. Both are about equal in terms of nutrition, with turkey tending to be leaner than chicken.

1. India - 3 kg per capita. A vegetable market in India. The world's second most populous, with an astonishing 1.3 billion people, India holds the distinction of consuming the least meat per capita.

China is the world's largest consumer of meat. In 2021, China consumed almost 100 million tons of it – 27% of the world's total.

Results: Blacks had the highest annual total meat consumption (64.2 kg), followed by East Asians (53.6 kg), Whites (46.9 kg), and Hispanics (35.8 kg). Blacks ate significantly more chicken than the other ethnic groups (P < 0.001), and East Asians ate significantly more pork and processed meat (P < 0.001).

Argentina: A Beef Paradise

It's no secret that Argentine cuisine revolves around beef, and for a good reason. Argentina's grass-fed, free-range cattle are world-renowned for their tenderness and depth of flavor. Paired with the centuries-old tradition of asado (Argentine barbecue), it's a must-try experience.

What is the highest quality meat in the world? ›

The most expensive meat in the world is Japanese Wagyu beef, specifically the Kobe variety. Kobe beef comes from Tajima-gyu cattle that are raised in the Hyogo prefecture of Japan and is renowned for its high level of marbling, tenderness, and rich, buttery flavor.

Angus Cattle

Angus beef has become all the rage in recent years thanks to its well-marbled meat, which typically earns Prime or Choice grades from the USDA and is usually the highest-quality meat available in grocery stores.

Prime Beef

Prime beef is the highest grade a piece of beef can receive. If the USDA awards a prime quality grading, that means that the beef has abundant marbling, with 8-13% fat, and is from a young, well-fed cow. Only about 2-5% of beef sold in the foodservice industry receives this grading.

Argentina-raised cattle have a superior flavor. Because of the established Argentine beef production, Argentine steaks breed an elite tasting profile no matter the cut. Argentinian beef is high quality, tender, and juicy.