Seasonal Meat Selections: What’s Best Throughout the Year?

When it comes to choosing meat, many of us don’t often think about the seasons. However, just like fruits and vegetables, certain meats have their peak times, depending on the animal’s lifecycle, farming methods, and traditional practices.

Opting for seasonal meat not only supports local farmers but also ensures you’re getting the best quality produce. Here’s a guide to selecting the best meats throughout the year in the UK, along with tips on how to prepare them.

Autumn (September to November): Rich and Comforting Meats

Venison
A classic autumn meat, venison has a deep, gamey flavour with a subtle sweetness. It’s leaner than beef but still tender and succulent when cooked properly.

Venison pairs wonderfully with robust herbs like rosemary and juniper, making it ideal for slow-cooked stews or roasts.

Lamb
Autumn lamb is more mature than spring lamb, offering a slightly stronger, fuller flavour with a tender yet firm texture.

The meat is versatile and can be roasted, grilled, or slow-cooked. The flavour pairs beautifully with rosemary, garlic, and earthy root vegetables, making it a staple for autumn feasts.

Pheasant
Pheasant is a popular game bird in season during the autumn months.

It has a mild, gamey taste and a slightly firmer texture than chicken.

The flavour of pheasant is often enhanced by cooking it with fruits like apples or berries, which complement its natural sweetness.

Duck
Duck offers a rich, bold flavour with a higher fat content, giving it a luxurious, tender texture when cooked properly.

Autumn is the perfect time to enjoy roasted duck, which pairs beautifully with seasonal fruits such as figs, blackberries, or citrus.

Rabbit
Rabbit is a delicate, lean meat with a slightly sweet, earthy flavour.

It is especially popular in autumn for stews and braises, where its tenderness can shine.

Rabbit works well with strong autumn herbs like thyme and bay leaves, along with seasonal vegetables like mushrooms and carrots.

Partridge
Partridge is another game bird that comes into season during autumn.

It has a mild, slightly sweet flavour and a tender texture. Partridge is often roasted and served with rich sauces or seasonal ingredients like chestnuts and wild mushrooms.

Wild Boar
With a taste reminiscent of pork but more intense and slightly gamey, wild boar is a seasonal autumn favourite.

The meat is lean and flavourful, often used in sausages, stews, or roasts, and pairs well with bold flavours like red wine and autumnal spices.

These meats not only reflect the bounty of the UK countryside but also bring a wealth of flavour to autumn cooking, making them ideal for hearty, comforting meals during the colder months.

Winter (December to February): Warming and Hearty Meats

Best Selections:

• Game: Venison and pheasant, are excellent during winter. Game meats are at their best as they fatten up during autumn.
• Lamb and mutton: Mature sheep (mutton) are usually available in winter, making for robust and flavourful dishes.
• Pork: As pigs are often slaughtered in the colder months, pork is plentiful and at its best during winter.

Cooking Tips: Winter is all about hearty, warming meals, so slow-cooking methods work best. Game meats, such as venison and pheasant, pair beautifully with root vegetables and rich sauces. Try a venison stew with red wine or a roast pheasant with a berry glaze. Mutton is perfect for long braises, casseroles, or curries. For pork, consider roasting a shoulder with crackling or making sausages for comforting casseroles or sausage rolls.

Pro Tip: Marinating game meats overnight helps tenderise them and brings out their rich, earthy flavours.

Spring (March to May): Fresh and Delicate Flavours

Best Selections:

• Spring lamb: A quintessential British delicacy, spring lamb is tender, sweet, and perfect for Easter feasts.
• Chicken and poultry: Lighter meats like chicken are perfect as we move away from the heavier meals of winter.

Cooking Tips: Lamb is a spring favourite, whether you’re roasting a leg of lamb with rosemary or grilling lamb koftas. The delicate flavour of spring lamb pairs well with fresh, seasonal vegetables like peas, asparagus, and new potatoes. For chicken, try lighter, quicker meals like grilled chicken served with fresh herbs and spring greens.

Pro Tip: For a perfect roast lamb, let the meat rest for 10-15 minutes after cooking to lock in the juices and enhance the tenderness.

Summer (June to August): Light and Grilled Meats

Best Selections:

• Chicken: A versatile option that’s ideal for barbecues, light salads, and grills.
• Beef: During the summer, lighter cuts like steaks, brisket, or burgers are perfect for outdoor grilling.
• Pork: Perfect for barbecues, pork ribs, belly, and sausages are popular summer choices.

Cooking Tips: Summer is all about grilling, so focus on marinated meats that cook well over open flames. Chicken skewers with lemon and herbs or a simple grilled chicken breast with a fresh salad are summer staples. For beef, go for steaks or burgers – ribeye or sirloin steaks with a chargrilled crust are ideal. Pork belly or ribs can be marinated in a smoky barbecue sauce and slow-cooked before finishing them on the grill for the ultimate summer meal.

Pro Tip: Always let your steak come to room temperature before grilling to ensure even cooking and juicier results.

Supporting Local and Ethical Choices

While considering seasonal meats, it’s always a good idea to seek out local butchers who source ethically raised, grass-fed, and free-range meats.

Not only does this support the local farming economy, but it also ensures you’re getting high-quality, sustainably farmed produce.

Conclusion

Choosing meats seasonally is a great way to enjoy fresher, more flavourful dishes while also supporting local farmers and reducing your carbon footprint. Whether it’s rich game in winter or light chicken and pork in summer, you’ll find that your meals are more satisfying and flavourful when they align with the natural cycles of farming in the UK.

By cooking seasonally, you can embrace each time of year with the perfect meat selection and cooking methods, ensuring your meals are both timely and delicious.