Meat
Reindeer
Reindeer (caribou when wild in North America) is a lean, mildly gamey red meat central to Sámi, Siberian, and Arctic indigenous foodways. The flavour is clean and slightly sweet with fine grain; low fat rewards careful cooking and traditional drying or smoking. Shoulder and leg suit stews and slow roasts; tenderloin and backstrap grill quickly. Herded animals supply more consistent meat than migratory wild caribou, but both remain seasonal and culturally significant proteins.
Also known as: Rein, Ren, Poro, Caribou / Reindeer, Caribou
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Breeds & varieties
A sample of named types with their own origin and culinary profiles.
Characteristics
Preparations
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Nutrition and pairings
Nutrition
Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.
Nutrition Facts
Per 100 g edible portion
Amount per 100 g
- Total Fat 12.5 g
- Saturated Fat 4.81 g
- Trans Fat 0.2 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 4.9 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 1.03 g
- Cholesterol 73 mg
- Sodium 56.1 mg
- Salt 0.15 g
- Total Carbohydrate 0 g
- Dietary Fibre 0 g
- Total Sugars 0 g
- Complex / starch 0 g
- Protein 23.8 g
- Water 61.7 g
- Energy 187 kcal
- Water 61.7 g
- Protein 23.8 g
- Animal Protein 22.6 g
- Fat 12.5 g
- Saturated Fat 4.81 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 4.9 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 1.03 g
- Trans Fat 0.2 g
- Vitamins 44.9 mg
- Vitamin A 20 µg
- Vitamin B1 — Thiamine 0.09 mg
- Vitamin B2 — Riboflavin 0.22 mg
- Vitamin B3 — Niacin 6.09 mg
- Vitamin B5 — Pantothenic Acid 0.66 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.43 mg
- Vitamin B7 — Biotin 2.7 µg
- Vitamin B9 — Folate 8.5 µg
- Vitamin B12 — Cobalamin 2.1 µg
- Vitamin C 2 mg
- Vitamin D 0.2 µg
- Vitamin E 0.31 mg
- Vitamin K 1.6 µg
- Minerals 359 mg
- Major Minerals 348 mg
- Trace Minerals 10.7 mg
- Salt 0.15 g
- Sodium Chloride 0.15 g
- Cholesterol 73 mg
Vitamins
vitamin-c: 2 · vitamin-b12-cobalamin: 2.1 · vitamin-a: 20 · vitamin-b1-thiamine: 0.09 · vitamin-b2-riboflavin: 0.22 · vitamin-b3-niacin: 6.09 · vitamin-b5-pantothenic-acid: 0.66 · vitamin-b6: 0.43 · vitamin-b7-biotin: 2.7 · vitamin-b9-folate: 8.5 · vitamin-d: 0.2 · vitamin-e: 0.31 · vitamin-k: 1.6 ·
Minerals
Sodium: 56.13 · Potassium: 236 · Calcium: 56 · Iron: 2.6 · Zinc: 3.1 · Iodine: 5 ·
Muscle meat is protein-dense with variable marbling fat.
In the kitchen
Culinary partners and combinations that usually underperform with Reindeer.
Pairs well with
Classic and complementary matches
Usually avoid with
Often clash in flavour or tradition
History
Peoples of the Eurasian Arctic and subarctic herded and hunted reindeer for meat, milk, hides, and transport.
Sámi pastoral systems formalised reindeer husbandry across Fennoscandia with regulated slaughter seasons.
Reindeer were introduced to Alaska for herding; wild caribou harvest remained essential to northern communities.
Specialty export of reindeer meat and smoked products reached European and Asian gourmet markets.